The 24 fluorescence patterns of the human metaphase chromosomes - distinguishing characters and variability

Certain fluorescent DNA-binding compounds, among them quinacrine mustard and quinacrine, give characteristic banding patterns in human metaphase chromosomes; these patterns can be used to identify all the 24 chromosome types as well as chromosome aberrations. The patterns given by quinacrine mustard are especially clear and stable and are suitable for chromosome identification either visually—preferably after contrast enhancement by photography—or by photometric methods. The typical fluorescence pattern of each chromosome type is described. The reproducibility and variability of the patterns have been analysed by photometric measurements of the patterns in a material of about 5000 chromosomes from 14 healthy…

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  Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation