Mammalian cells possess a wide range of mechanisms with which they can specifically respond to signals or stresses induced by compounds they are confronted with. CALUX® (Chemically Activated LUciferase eXpression) assays form a panel of mammalian cell lines that were modified to produce a quantifiable response in addition to this natural response: If a cell is triggered to generate a response, activation of a reporter gene leads to the production of an enzyme (luciferase) that produces light during a reaction it catalyses. This light signal is proportional to the amount of biological active chemicals in the sample. The molecular design of the CALUX assays ensures that the observed response is highly specific for the effect of interest.
