Thesis Variation in Chromosomal Aberration Induction in Differing Atm and Aspm Genotypic Backgrounds Detected via a Modified Pna Fish Technique

................................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................... iv TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................................v LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................ vii LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................................... viii LIST OF SYMBOLS ..................................................................................................................... ix LIST OF ACRONYMS ...................................................................................................................x CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1. GENOMIC INSTABILITY AND DNA DAMAGE ..............................................................1 1.1.1. Chromosomal aberrations ............................................................................................2 1.1.2. DNA repair pathways ..................................................................................................5 1.2. ATM AND ASPM ....................................................................................................................7 1.2.1. ATM and DNA repair ................................................................................................11 1.2.2. ATM disruption ..........................................................................................................11 1.2.3. ASPM function ..........................................................................................................12 1.2.4. ASPM disruption .......................................................................................................13 1.3. CYTOGENETIC ASSAYS ...................................................................................................14 1.3.1. Advancements in cytochemical techniques .................................................................15 1.3.2. PNA FISH ..................................................................................................................15 CHAPTER TWO – Strain Dependent Variations in Radiation-Induced Chromosometype Aberrations on Atm +/+ and Atm -/Genotypic Backgrounds. 2.1. BACKGROUND ...................................................................................................................19 2.2. MATERIALS AND METHODS ............................................................................................20 2.2.1. Cell culture ...................................................................................................................21