A new image analysis system for biological dosimetry by fluorescent in situ hybridization. Step 1: Metaphase finder and automatic metaphase acquisition validation

Because of the large number of cells to be analyzed in cases of overexposur e to ionizing radiation, an automated imaging system is desirable for scori ng both translocations and dicentrics, This system should include three ess ential steps: automatic metaphase finding, automatic image capture at high magnification, and, finally, optimized data analysis for aberration interpr etation. We evaluated a new image analysis system (CYTOGEN, IMSTAR, France) and found that its metaphase finder saved time, as much as quadrupling the speed of scoring chromosomal aberrations. Automatic metaphase selection di d not appear to induce bias. We confirmed the equivalence of observing aber rations on a screen after automatic image capture and direct observation un der a microscope. This work validated all of the steps necessary for obtain ing images for automatic chromosomal aberration detection. The protocols fo r the detection of trans locations may now be applied for biological dosime try. This step will be validated in a future study.