Ames Test (Bacterial Reverse Mutation Test)

The Ames test, named after its developer Dr Bruce Ames, is the most widely used test for genotoxicity i.e. the ability to induce mutation or cancer. Testing for genotoxicity is mandatory for pharmaceuticals, medical devices, food additives, agrochemicals and industrial chemicals.

Perceptive Instruments are firmly established as the first choice supplier of colony counting and data management systems for the Ames Test. For automatic analysis of Ames plates, we have the proven Sorcerer colony counting system. The total solution for the Ames test is to link Sorcerer to our comprehensive Ames Study Manager.

Study Management & Data Processing Software

The Ames Study Manager is a comprehensive suite of software for conducting and reporting Ames studies in accordance with OECD 471. The system is able to handle any experimental design and imposes no constraints for numbers of experiments, strains, test substances, or positive & negative controls etc.

All data is securely held within an Oracle database and experimental reports are readily generated in Microsoft Word. The system fully compliant with GLP and FDA 21 CFR Part 11. The Ames Study Manager can accept manual count entry or be used in conjunction with the Sorcerer automatic colony counter to create a total solution for the Ames test.

Sorcerer Colony Counter - Ames colony counting system

The Sorcerer automatic colony counter combines sophisticated image processing and analysis with an innovative Petri-viewer to provide fast, accurate counts of revertant colonies. It has a choice of incident, transmitted & dark-field illumination to facilitate counting on all combinations of test substances in Vogel-Bonner or alternative media.

View the Ames Study Manager datasheet | View the Sorcerer Colony Counter datasheet | Linus Pauling Institute - Ames test overview