Prospects for evaluating genetic damage in mammalian cells in culture

Starting from some general considerations on cultured mammalian cells as a biological material for the detection of genetic changes, information is given on cell lines and genetic markers that have been the subject of extensive research. The experimental variables of mutation assays are then considered, with special reference to those involved in the system resistant to 8-azaguanine. Work now in progressin the field of environmental mutagenesis is mentioned at the end of the article.