The Ames test is a biological assay used to assess the mutagenic potential of chemical compounds. It uses strains of bacteria to detect whether a given substance can cause mutations in the DNA.
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The Ames test typically uses strains of Salmonella typhimurium that have mutations making them unable to synthesize histidine.
A positive result in the Ames test indicates that a chemical compound increases the mutation rate above the background level.
The test is often conducted with and without metabolic activation, using liver extracts (S9 mix) to simulate metabolism in mammals.
Bruce Ames developed this assay in the 1970s as a quick and inexpensive method to screen for potential carcinogens.
The revertant colonies that grow on histidine-free media indicate that back-mutations have occurred, allowing the bacteria to regain their ability to produce histidine.