Comparison of technical details between conventional cytogenetic and major molecular approaches
| Techniques | Method | Characteristics | Application | Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional cytogenetics (G-banding, R-banding) | Cell culturing | Special dye generate banding pattern for each chromosome | Detection of numerical and structural chromosomal anomalies | Genome wide screening for chromosome level abnormalities |
| Conventional FISH | Molecular technique | Labeled DNA is used as a probe to search for target sequences in chromosome | Detect all types of balance and unbalanced defects | Interphase cytogenetics possible |
| Simple procedures | ||||
| Spectral karyotyping | Arresting cell in metaphase | Chromosome specific probes allows the painting of every chromosome | Detection of rearrangements including complex anomalies | Fast characterization of euchromatic marker chromosome content |
| CGH | Molecular technique | Comparative hybridization of differentially labeled total genomic tumor DNA and reference DNA | Identify and assess biomarkers | Whole genome wide screening of genomic anomalies |
| Gene discovery, functional analysis | No need for cell culture | |||
| Array-CGH | Molecular technique | Identification of DNA sequences by specific DNA binding proteins in cells | Identification of cryptic rearrangements (aneuploidy, deletions, duplications or amplifications) | High-resolution target-specific detection of gene amplification, submicroscopic information on imbalances |
Abbreviations: FISH, fluorescence in situ hybridization; CGH, Comparative genomic hybridization.
