Facilitating haplotype analysis by fully automated analysis of all chromosomes in human-mouse hybrid cell lines

Recent evidence suggests that haplotype analysis is essential in recognizin g genetic factors involved in the tendency toward a particular disease or p harmacogenetic phenotype, as well as to identify genes involved in multigen ic disorders. Because of the increasing need for efficient haplotype tests, a new hybrid system, called conversion technology, was developed. Conversi on technology aims at converting the diploid chromosome content into a hapl oid state so that hybrids contain a single copy of any desired chromosome. A number of mutations can now be identified easily, as they are no longer o bscured by the normal sequence present on the other copy of the chromosome. However, the efficient use of this hybrid system depends on a complete ana lysis of both human and mouse chromosome complements in order to assess the stability of the hybrid cells and to accurately determine their human chro mosome content. We describe a new multicolor FISH-based method capable of a nalyzing both genomes simultaneously in a single hybridization. This new te chnique should become an instrumental part of inexpensive, reliable haploty pe tests. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.