DNA Adducts

In molecular genetics, a DNA adduct is a piece of DNA covalently bonded to a (cancercausing) chemical. This process could be the start of a cancerous cell, or carcinogenesis. DNA adducts in scientific experiments are used as biomarkers of exposure1 and as such are themselves measured to reflect quantitatively, for comparison, the amount of carcinogen exposure to the subject organism, for example rats or other living animals. Under experimental conditions for study, such DNA adducts are induced by known carcinogens, of which commonly used is DMBA (7,12dimethylbenz(a)anthracene).