New methods for detecting DNA damage and repair are reviewed and their potential significance is discussed. These include methods based on analysis of DNA damage-induced chromatin modifications, cytological detection of DNA repair synthesis, damage-induced immobilization of repair proteins and living cell imaging. Special attention is paid to current methods of detection of modifications of histones and other proteins associated with DNA double-strand breaks which represent most dangerous genome damage. New methods of analysis of DNA damage and repair may be useful in biodosimetry, early cancer diagnostics and in the analysis of efficiency of cancer radiation therapy and chemotherapy.