Ames test

American  

noun

1. a test that exposes a strain of bacteria to a chemical compound in order to determine the mutagenic potential of the compound.

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Ames test British  

/ eɪmz /

noun

1. a method of preliminary screening for carcinogens, based on their ability to cause mutations in bacteria

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Etymology

Origin of Ames test

1975–80; after U.S. biochemist Bruce N. Ames (born 1928), who developed the test

Example Sentences

“According to the Ames test,” he says, “almost everything causes cancer in high doses.”

From New York Times

Chemical mutagens are so commonly carcinogenic that versions of the Ames test represent the gold standard by which most carcinogens are found.

From New York Times

Laboratory experiments that link phone radiation to DNA mutation using a version of the Ames test have been largely contradictory.

From New York Times