The main aim of hCOMET is to create a unified database of comet assay data in order to give definitive information on factors ... causing or preventing DNA damage that will help to reduce inter-laboratory variation and result in providing standard protocols for future studies, training schools, creation of cohort of skilled molecular epidemiologists for prospective human trial to test DNA damage and repair as predictive markers of disease and as a support to small and medium enterprises and companies that use comet assay. hCOMET is a network comprising researchers who are active (or intend to be active) in human biomonitoring with this assay. Results supplied by these researchers will be compiled as a single database representing an estimated 19,000 individual DNA damage measurements. The pooled analysis will allow us to determine which factors (smoking, age, nutrition, sex, occupational exposure etc.) affect DNA damage, and to what extent. Fewer studies have included DNA repair capacity as an endpoint; we will collect what data we can and carry out a detailed review (or a pooled analysis if enough data). In addition, hCOMET will address the issue of inter-laboratory reproducibility of the assay by devising standard protocols, for both DNA damage and DNA repair measurement, coordinating ring studies to test these protocols, and offering training courses and exchanges, so that in future comparison of results from different studies will be facilitated. We will review applications of the assay to other human cell types and isolation methods (such as leukocytes obtained from frozen blood). read more