WORKING GROUP 3
Ring Studies


Leader
Peter Møller

Sub-Leader
Andrew Collins

MC Members:
Amaya Azqueta, Andrew Collins, Annamaria Brech, Biljana Potparević, Blanaid White, Blanca Laffon, Bojana Žegura, Cristian Del Bo, Elisa Boutet-Robinet, Gudrun Koppen, Gunnar Brunborg, Hakan Wallin, Helga Stopper, João Paulo Teixeira, Lada Živković, Lisa Giovannelli, Lucyna Kapka-Skrzypczak, Magdalena Matysiak, Marcin Kruszewski, Matjaz Novak, Metka Filipič, Milena Radaković, Ninoslav Djelić, Nursen Basaran, Patrizia Riso, Pavel Vodicka, Peter Møller, Stefano Bonassi, Vanessa Valdiglesias, Zsuzsanna Nemeth
Non MC Members:
Ariane Vettorazzi Armental, Sonia Fraga
Objective:
Working Group 3 will organize ring studies to test the robustness of standard protocols.
Tasks:
Between 6 and 10 members of hCOMET will be recruited to take part in a ring study (using own resources for experimental work). They will receive identical samples of cells treated with a range of concentrations of specific DNA-damaging agent, to be processed according to a standard 12- gel/slide medium throughput comet assay protocol. Since scoring of comets has previously been proposed as a likely cause of variation, slides will be scored in the lab carrying out the test, and then in a central lab. The ring study will be repeated as necessary (e.g. if substantial changes to the protocol are made on the basis of results of the first ring study).
Milestones:
- Recruitment of COST members with own resources to take part in the ring study (Month 24)
- Preparation of standard protocol, in consultation with the ring study participants (Month 27)
- Distribution of samples for analysis (Month 30)
Deliverables:
Publication reporting results of ring study (Month 42)
Training course:
Advances in high throughput methods for studying DNA damage (year 1)
Second Year of the Project
Goal:
Performance of ring studies with standard comet assay protocols, in order to identify best practice; relates to Objective 5.
Milestone:
M3.1. Recruitment of COST members with own resources to take part in the ring study (Month 24)
