Method for Guiding Cell Spreading in Automated Cytogenetics Assays

This invention presents a method and system for overcoming some of the intrinsic limitations that automated cytogenetic assays have by establishing a model whose parameters can be analyzed and controlled suitable for an automated system. The ability of characterizing fluid behavior at a scale comparable to the size of cells by interference fringes is expected to facilitate further understanding of the metaphase spreading process at micro- and nano- scale.
 

Background:

Although the image analysis of chromosomes and other cellular components can be automated for high throughput cytogenetic assay processing, its sample preparation step is a limiting empirical and labor intensive step. Dynamics of methanol and acetic acid (3: 1 v:v) fixative sessile drop is important for metaphase chromosomal spreads in cytogenetic assays. There are also other types of solvents mixtures reported in the prior art for facilitating and speeding the process, but it is still not fully understood and characterized from a physical science perspective for automated processing.
 

Application:

• Cytogenetic assay companies that want to increase their understanding of the effect of fluid environment on cell metaphase spreading using the fluid dynamic information generated by this technology

Advantages:

• Our invention and apparatus allows the characterization of the processing over multiple scale allowing extracting critical parameters for developing a model
• Can interrogate the effect of fixative fluid local environment on chromosome spreading at micro- and nano-scale
• Linked to the local fluid environment for a better understanding of the process
• Allow for reduced preparation time in mass preparation of samples for assaying