Advanced Molecular Cytogenetic Methodologies: 

 A Guide to the Principles and Practice 2002

 TOPICS INCLUDE:Comparative Genomic Hybridization24-colour Karyotyping (MFISH, SKY)High Resolution Multi-colour Banding (Mband) DNA Microarray Technology

ADVANCED FISH (2002): A continuation of our popular course “FISH: A practical approach”.... First offered in 1996/Revised in 2000.

Module One: Comparative Genomic Hybridization

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) is a FISH-based technique that can detect chromosomal imbalances. Module One outlines the principles of each step in the CGH procedure and provides detailed protocols, including: DNA extraction and quantification, DNA labeling by nick translation, probe preparation, hybridization, CGH analysis and interpretation, ISCN omenclature, troubleshooting. Applications of CGH are described using examples of numerous real clinical cases.

Module Two: 24-colour Karyotyping

24-colour karyotyping labels each of the human chromosomes with a uniquely distinctive colour. This FISH-based approach to karyotyping readily identifies both simple and complex chromosomal rearrangements. While this module describes both SKY (spectral karyotyping) and MFISH (multi-colour FISH) approaches, the major focus is on the use of commercially available MFISH assays (Vysis, Metasystems). Topics include: principles, analysis and interpretation, limitations, clinical applications, troubleshooting. The use of cross-species colour banding and high resolution multi-colour banding (Mband) is also described.

Module Three: DNA Microarray

This third module provides an overview of the emerging DNA microarray technology with an emphasis on its significance to the clinical cytogenetic laboratory.