The FLARE^TM Assay (Fragment Length Analysis using Repair Enzymes) provides the ability to detect DNA damage in single cells using a variety of DNA repair enzymes in conjunction with CometAssay^TM single cell gel electrophoresis kit. To assess the type of DNA damage induced by a putative mutagen, drug, or treatment regimen, cells are harvested after treatment and immobilized in a layer of low melting point agarose on the FLARE Slide. The cells are gently lysed and subsequently incubated with a kit-specific enzyme which recognizes a particular type of DNA damage (see below) and cleaves the DNA. After treatment with alkali to denature the DNA, the samples are submitted to neutral gel electrophoresis, and stained using SYBR(r) Green I.

Denatured, cleaved DNA fragments migrate out of the cell during electrophoresis, while undamaged, supercoiled DNA remains within the confines of the nuclear cell membrane. The extent of the DNA damage can be assessed qualitatively, or quantitatively using image analysis software to calculate tail length and tail moment.

 Features:

• FLARE Slides allow direct application of low melting point agarose without base layers or pretreatment for three samples
• Hydrophobic barrier allows easy application of cells directly to slide and treatment with enzyme
• Base specific DNA damage detection in a convenient format

Available reagents:

• Kits (-FK) provide the enzyme, reagents, and FLARE slides for 75 samples
• Modules (-FM) provide enzyme and reagents for >100 samples

Download a Technical Presentation about FLARETM & Comet Assay

Other consumables

FLARE, CometAssay and CometSlide are trademarks of Trevigen, Inc.