IMAGE-ANALYSIS FOR THE QUANTITATIVE DETEC TION OF CHROMOSOMAL-ABERRATIONS BY COMPARATIVE GENOMIC HYBRIDIZATION

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) is a molecular cytogenetic met hod for the detection of chromosomal imbalances between a tumor and a normal genome. In order to produce quantitative and reproducible resul ts, we developed an image analysis program that allows the detection a nd mapping of the genetic alterations, The result is represented as a CGH sum karyogram in which the genetic changes are documented as color coded-chromosomes. The aim of our investigation is to correlate the g enotype with the phenotype on the basis of CGH sum karyograms and thus to achieve a genetic characterization that will supplement the morpho logical tumor description.