Micronucleus test

About

The micronucleus test (MNT) is a biological assay used to detect genomic damage in cells by identifying micronuclei — small nuclear fragments that form when chromosomes or chromosome segments fail to incorporate properly during cell division. These micronuclei serve as reliable biomarkers of clastogenic (chromosome-breaking) or aneugenic (chromosome-segregation disrupting) damage caused by radiation, chemicals, or other genotoxic agents. In robotics and AI contexts, the assay has become a key target for laboratory automation and high-throughput screening. Robotic platforms such as the RABiT (Rapid Automated Biodosimetry Tool) series integrate automated liquid handling, imaging flow cytometry, and machine learning-based image analysis to process large numbers of blood samples rapidly, replacing labor-intensive manual microscopy. This automation is particularly critical for radiation biodosimetry — estimating radiation exposure doses following nuclear accidents or mass casualty events — where thousands of samples must be analyzed quickly and accurately. The combination of robotics and AI-driven image recognition makes the micronucleus test scalable, reproducible, and practical for both emergency response and routine toxicological screening.