Multiple Approaches to Karyotyping
Karyotypes are prepared using standardized staining procedures that reveal characteristic structural features for each chromosome. Karyotyping is a tool or technique that cytogeneticists use to study the structure of DNA in the nucleus. These approaches can vary from staining/imaging, sequencing, microarray, or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based applications.
G-Banding Karyotyping
- G-banding or Giemsa banding is a DNA staining technique that is used to visually investigate the structure of condensed chromosomes within the nucleus of a cell.
- The basic principle of G-banding is that it is specific to the phosphate groups of DNA and attaches itself to regions of DNA where there are high amounts of adenine-thymine bonding, creating dark bands. Conversely, less condensed chromatin, which tends to be rich with guanine and cytosine, incorporates lesser Giemsa stain and appears as light bands. The result of G-banding creates a karyogram (chromosome map), which can be used to identify chromosomal aberrations such as translocations and rearrangements.
- Creative Bioarray provides Karyotyping (G-Banded) Service for cell line authentication and some specific research. In providing karyotyping information, we can promote the advancement of biology projects. Apart from conventional karyotyping, we can also provide Karyotyping of human chromosomes, and mouse chromosomes by multicolor FISH probes.
Array-Based Karyotyping
- Array-based karyotyping technology is a powerful tool for assessing chromosomal copy number changes that provide information not previously obtainable by conventional karyotyping techniques such as G-banding. It offers the same whole-genome coverage for the accurate detection of chromosomal abnormalities.
- Creative Bioarray provides Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization (aCGH) Karyotyping Services for the detection of unbalanced structural and numerical chromosomal alterations with high-throughput capabilities. We can provide you with the best research support in the karyotyping analysis field.
NGS-Based Karyotyping
- With continued advancements in sequencing techniques and technology, another option for performing karyotypic analysis is Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). NGS offers an alternative technology to karyotyping and due to its high resolution can accurately and precisely quantitate copy number variations.
- During each cycle, nucleotides are identified by their specific fluorophore labels. This process is highly scalable and can be targeted to hotspot regions of DNA known to be problematic in the context of karyotyping.
Digital Droplet Polymerase Chain Reactions Karyotyping
- Digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) is a refinement of the conventional PCR technique. However, the key difference between the two techniques lies within the methods for quantifying nucleic acids. While ddPCR can be more precise with its measurements, it can be more error-prone to those who are inexperienced in using this technique.
- Like NGS, in karyotyping with ddPCR, probes can be designed to hotspot regions in the DNA that are known to be problematic and where genomic abnormalities commonly occur.
