Cytogenetic

Cytogenetics is a branch of genetics that is concerned with the study of the structure and function of the cell, especially the chromosomes. It includes routine analysis of G-banded chromosomes, other cytogenetic banding techniques, as well as molecular cytogenetics such as Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH) and Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH).

History

Cytogenetics had its beginnings in 1900 when it was observed that chromosomes were separate entities within the cell nucleus. The term "cytogenetics" was first used in 1921 to refer to the study of how the chromosomes relate to cell behavior. In the 1950s, the development of karyotyping allowed chromosomes to be organized according to their size and shape.

Techniques

Cytogenetics uses a variety of techniques to investigate the structure and function of chromosomes and cells.

G-banding

One of the most commonly used cytogenetic techniques is G-banding. This technique allows for the visualization of individual chromosomes and is used to discover structural abnormalities.

FISH

Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH) is a molecular cytogenetic technique that uses fluorescent probes to detect and localize specific DNA sequences on chromosomes.

CGH

Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) is a molecular cytogenetic method for analysing copy number variations (CNVs) relative to ploidy level in the DNA of a test sample compared to a reference sample, without the need for culturing cells.

Applications

Cytogenetics has many practical applications such as in medicine to identify chromosomal abnormalities that lead to genetic disorders, in cancer research to identify genetic changes that lead to cancer, and in evolutionary biology to study the relationships between species.

See also

• Genetics
• Molecular genetics
• Chromosome
• Karyotype
• G-banding
• Fluorescent in situ hybridization
• Comparative genomic hybridization

Cytogenetic Resources
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