Chromosome sorting and genomics

Flow Cytogenetics describes the application of flow cytometry and sorting to the analysis of mammalian chromosome classification and purification, respectively. Early publications on flow cytogenetics appeared in 1975 and described single color (univariate) analysis of human and Chinese hamster chromosomes. Since that time enormous progress has been made in the analysis and sorting of chromosomes using two color (bivariate) analysis methods. Applications include high speed sorting for construction of chromosome specific libraries that established feasibility for the human genome program and the construction of chromosome specific fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) probes for research and clinical applications. Additional applications include: quantification of radiation induced chromosome damage, determination of chromosome aneuploidy for somatic cell genetic studies, and detection of numerical and structural aberrations associated with genetic diseases such as Down’s syndrome (Table 1).