Aspergillus nidulans as a test organism for assessing radio-induced chromosomal non-disjunction.
A genetically marked heterozygous diploid of Aspergillus nidulans was synthesized and the feasibility of using this system for the simultaneous estimation of radio-induced mitotic crossing-over and non-disjunction has been investigated. In the case of the latter, serious experimental problems have been encountered. Nevertheless, induction curves for non-disjunction with 15-MeV electrons, 50-kVp X-rays, beta-particles and alpha-particles are presented showing an increase in non-disjunction with increasing LET.