RABiT-II: Implementation of a High-Throughput Micronucleus Biodosimetry Assay on Commercial Biotech Robotic Systems

Radiat Res. 2017 Apr;187(4):492-498. doi: 10.1667/RR011CC.1. Epub 2017 Feb 23.

Abstract

We demonstrate the use of high-throughput biodosimetry platforms based on commercial high-throughput/high-content screening robotic systems. The cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay, using only 20 μl whole blood from a fingerstick, was implemented on a PerkinElmer cell::explorer and General Electric IN Cell Analyzer 2000. On average 500 binucleated cells per sample were detected by our FluorQuantMN software. A calibration curve was generated in the radiation dose range up to 5.0 Gy using the data from 8 donors and 48,083 binucleated cells in total. The study described here demonstrates that high-throughput radiation biodosimetry is practical using current commercial high-throughput/high-content screening robotic systems, which can be readily programmed to perform and analyze robotics-optimized cytogenetic assays. Application to other commercial high-throughput/high-content screening systems beyond the ones used in this study is clearly practical. This approach will allow much wider access to high-throughput biodosimetric screening for large-scale radiological incidents than is currently available.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Cells / radiation effects
  • Blood Cells / ultrastructure
  • Calibration
  • Female
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays / instrumentation*
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays / methods
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Micronucleus Tests / instrumentation*
  • Micronucleus Tests / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiometry / instrumentation
  • Radiometry / methods
  • Robotics / instrumentation*
  • Robotics / methods
  • Young Adult