Methods of chromosome drying and spreading

Abstract

The present invention provides for a method of drying and spreading chromosomes from various biological samples to yield optimal chromosomal spreading. The method requires preparing a biological sample for treatment, providing a cytogenetic chamber capable of setting predetermined conditions, pre-testing a portion of the biological sample in the cytogenetic chamber, and finally treating the remaining biological sample. The method is useful to yield metaphase chromosomes that are small and rounded, with very few overlapping or scattered chromosomes. Furthermore, the method is uses restricted ranges of temperature and relative humidity to achieve consistent chromosomal spreading. The morphologies of the chromosomes are preserved in order to execute banding techniques at 550 bands and chromosomal analysis on high-resolution chromosomes.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A cytogenetic chamber for drying and spreading chromosomes, the chamber comprising:
 a) a support for receiving a biological sample for treatment;   b) an automatic harvester for harvesting the sample of cells;   c) a dispenser for adding a fixative agent to the cells after the cells are harvested;   d) a programmer set to a predetermined condition based on the biological sample being treated, wherein the predetermined condition is based on pre-testing cells under optimal chromosome spreading for consistency;   e) a vacuum pump for aspirating all of the fixative from the cells; and   f) a dryer for drying the cells under conditions for optimal chromosomal spreading for consistency.   
     
     
         17 . The chamber of  claim 16 , wherein the predetermined condition of the chamber has a temperature of about 30.0-32.0° C. and a relative humidity of about 35-37%. 
     
     
         18 . The chamber of  claim 17 , wherein the biological sample comprises an amniocyte, an early amniocyte, and a chorionic villus sampling (CVS). 
     
     
         19 . The chamber of  claim 16 , wherein the predetermined condition of the chamber has a temperature of about 31.0-33.0° C. and a relative humidity of about 36-38%. 
     
     
         20 . The chamber of  claim 19 , wherein the biological sample comprises a product of conception and or skin tissue. 
     
     
         21 . The chamber of  claim 16 , wherein the predetermined condition of the chamber has a temperature of about 32° C. and a relative humidity of about 36-46%. 
     
     
         22 . The chamber of  claim 16 , wherein the biological sample comprises a blood specimen, a bone marrow, or a tumor cell. 
     
     
         23 . The chamber of  claim 16 , wherein the harvester isolates the cells to form a solution of viable cells. 
     
     
         24 . The chamber of  claim 16 , wherein the fixative agent comprises a 3:1 ratio of methanol to glacial acetic acid. 
     
     
         25 . A cytogenetic chamber for drying and spreading chromosomes, the chamber comprising:
 a) a support for receiving a biological sample of cells for treatment, wherein the biological sample comprises an amniocyte, an early amniocyte, and a chorionic villus sampling (CVS);   b) an automatic harvester for harvesting the sample of cells;   c) a dispenser for adding a fixative agent to the cells after the cells are harvested;   d) a programmer set to a predetermined condition, wherein the predetermined condition is a temperature of about 30.0-32.0° C. and a relative humidity of about 35-37%, wherein the predetermined condition is based on pre-testing cells under optimal chromosome spreading for consistency;   e) a vacuum pump for aspirating all of the fixative from the cells; and   f) a dryer for drying the cells under conditions for optimal chromosomal spreading for consistency.   
     
     
         26 . A cytogenetic chamber for drying and spreading chromosomes, the chamber comprising:
 a) a support for receiving a biological sample of cells for treatment, wherein the biological sample comprises a product of conception or skin tissue;   b) an automatic harvester for harvesting the sample of cells;   c) a dispenser for adding a fixative agent to the cells after the cells are harvested;   d) a programmer set to a predetermined condition, wherein the predetermined condition is a temperature of about 31.0-33.0° C. and a relative humidity of about 36-38%, wherein the predetermined condition is based on pre-testing cells under optimal chromosome spreading for consistency;   e) a vacuum pump for aspirating all of the fixative from the cells; and   f) a dryer for drying the cells under conditions for optimal chromosomal spreading for consistency.   
     
     
         27 . A cytogenetic chamber for drying and spreading chromosomes, the chamber comprising:
 a) a support for receiving a biological sample of cells for treatment, wherein the biological sample comprises a blood specimen, a bone marrow, or a tumor cell;   b) an automatic harvester for harvesting the sample of cells;   c) a dispenser for adding a fixative agent to the cells after the cells are harvested;   d) a programmer set to a predetermined condition, wherein the predetermined condition is a temperature of about 32° C. and a relative humidity of about 36-46%, wherein the predetermined condition is based on pre-testing cells under optimal chromosome spreading for consistency;   e) a vacuum pump for aspirating the fixative from the cells; and   f) a dryer for drying the cells under conditions for optimal chromosomal spreading for consistency.