SINCE 1828
Ames test
noun
\ ˈāmz-
\
\
Definition of Ames test
: a test for identifying potential carcinogens by studying their mutagenic effect on bacteria
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More Definitions for Ames test
Ames test
noun
\ ˈāmz-
\
\
variants:
also Ames assay
Medical Definition of Ames test
: a test for identifying potential carcinogens by studying the frequency with which they cause histidine-producing genetic mutants in bacterial colonies of the genus Salmonella (S. typhimurium) initially lacking the ability to synthesize histidine
The compound … produced the highest score ever reported in an Ames test, a standard measure of the cancer-causing potential of toxic chemicals. — Today's Chemist at Work, December 1997 Dimethylnitrosamine … a known animal carcinogen—is usually a potent mutagen in the Ames assay. — Science News, 16 July 1988
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