Enlightening and accessible, The Principles of Clinical Cytogenetics constitutes an indispensable reference for today's physicians who depend on the cytogenetics laboratory for the diagnosis of their patients.

The book is basically intended to accompany a course in cytogenetics students of Genetics and Plant Breeding . Students are presumed to have knowledge of basics in genetics, cytology and plant breeding but in the present book with the help of diagrams and explanations it has been attempted that even a beginner could grasp the core elements of the subject. The book has been strictly organized on the basis of course curriculum being taught in Universities. All the topics covered in the book have been ordered in a crisp and comprehensible manner avoiding complexities of a traditional textbook since it is a simply a guide book to supplement but not supplant the main texts.

In the summer of 1989, one of us (SLG), along with his mentor, Dorothy Warb- ton, attended the Tenth International Workshop on Human Gene Mapping. The me- ing was held at Yale University in celebration of the first such event, which also took place there. This meeting was not open to the general public; one had to have contributed to mapping a gene to be permitted to attend. The posters, of course, were therefore all related to gene mapping, and many were covered with pretty, colorful pictures of a novel, fluorescent application of an old technology, in situ hybridization. Walking through the room, Dorothy remarked that, because of this new FISH technique, ch- mosomes, which had become yesterday’s news, were once again “back in style. ” Approximately three years later, a commercial genetics company launched a FISH assay for prenatal ploidy detection. A substantial number of cytogeneticists across the country reacted with a combination of outrage and panic. Many were concerned that physicians would be quick to adopt this newfangled upstart test and put us all on the unemployment line. They did not at the time realize what Dorothy instinctively already knew—that FISH would not spell the doom of the cytogenetics laboratory, but it would, rather, take it to new heights.

Cytogenetics is the study of chromosome morphology, structure, pathology, function, and behavior. The field has evolved to embrace molecular cytogenetic changes, now termed cytogenomics. Cytogeneticists utilize an assortment of procedures to investigate the full complement of chromosomes and/or a targeted region within a specific chromosome in metaphase or interphase. Tools include routine analysis of G-banded chromosomes, specialized stains that address specific chromosomal structures, and molecular probes, such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and chromosome microarray analysis, which employ a variety of methods to highlight a region as small as a single, specific genetic sequence under investigation. The AGT Cytogenetics Laboratory Manual, Fourth Edition offers a comprehensive description of the diagnostic tests offered by the clinical laboratory and explains the science behind them. One of the most valuable assets is its rich compilation of laboratory-tested protocols currently being used in leading laboratories, along with practical advice for nearly every area of interest to cytogeneticists. In addition to covering essential topics that have been the backbone of cytogenetics for over 60 years, such as the basic components of a cell, use of a microscope, human tissue processing for cytogenetic analysis (prenatal, constitutional, and neoplastic), laboratory safety, and the mechanisms behind chromosome rearrangement and aneuploidy, this edition introduces new and expanded chapters by experts in the field. Some of these new topics include a unique collection of chromosome heteromorphisms; clinical examples of genomic imprinting; an example-driven overview of chromosomal microarray; mathematics specifically geared for the cytogeneticist; usage of ISCN’s cytogenetic language to describe chromosome changes; tips for laboratory management; examples of laboratory information systems; a collection of internet and library resources; and a special chapter on animal chromosomes for the research and zoo cytogeneticist. The range of topics is thus broad yet comprehensive, offering the student a resource that teaches the procedures performed in the cytogenetics laboratory environment, and the laboratory professional with a peer-reviewed reference that explores the basis of each of these procedures. This makes it a useful resource for researchers, clinicians, and lab professionals, as well as students in a university or medical school setting.

Since 1961 the author has taught a course in Cytogenetics at Montana State University. Undergraduate and graduate stu dents of Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Animal and Range Science, Plant and Soil Science, Plant Pathology and Veterinary Science are enrolled. Therefore, the subject matter has been pre sented in an integrated way to correlate it with these diverse disciplines. This book has been prepared as a text for this course. The most recent Cytogenetics text was published in 1972, and rapidly developing research in this field makes a new one urgently needed. This book includes many aspects of Cytogenetics and related fields and is written for the college student as well as for the researcher. It is recommended that the student should have taken preparatory courses in Principles of Genetics and Cytol ogy. The content is more than is usually taught during one quar ter of an academic year, thus allowing an instructor to choose what he or she would like to present to a class. This approach also allows the researcher to obtain a broad exposure to this field of biology. References are generously supplied to stimulate orig inal reading on the subject and to give access to valuable sources. The detailed index is intended to be of special assistance to researchers.

This comprehensive and well-written text provides thorough understanding of the principles and applications of cytogenetics and genetics in an easy-to-understand style. The text is divided into Four parts. Part I on Principles of Cytogenetics deals with evolution and structure of cell, cell division and change, and structure of genetic material. Part II on Principles of Genetics provides detailed discussions on transmission, distribution and arrangement of genetic material, and evolution of species. Part III which is on Molecular Genetics discusses functions of genetic material including biotechnology and genetic engineering, and the last Part IV on Quantitative Genetics deliberates on the course of genetic material in populations. A historical approach to the subject has also been presented to show the continuity and progress. KEY FEATURES: Incorporates latest and up-to-date information on the subjects covered. Provides review questions at the end of each chapter to test the understanding of the concepts discussed. Gives ample references to explore further. Includes a glossary of important terms. The book is eminently suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate students of botany, agriculture, zoology and biotechnology for courses in genetics/genetics and cytogenetics. In addition, the book would also be useful to students appearing in different competitive examinations.

A better "casting" could not be conceived. The authors of this book are gold smiths on the subject. I have followed their work since their "entry" into cyto genetics and I have a high esteem for them. I consider it an honour to be asked to write the preface of their opus. Paul Popescu, Directeur de Recherche at INRA, has also played a promi nent part in the development of animal cytogenetics, especially in domestic animals. He is able to tell you the cost of a translocation in a pig breeding farm or a cow population: a fortune! P. Popescu has played a great part in gene mapping of these species using "in situ DNA hybridisation". His contributions are recognised world-wide. His laboratory receives many visitors every year and it serves as a reference for domestic animal cytogenetics. Helene Hayes, Charge de Recherche at INRA, has collaborated with P. POPESCU in the elaboration of the "at hand" techniques and in many other discoveries which are listed in her bibliography. She showed the fascinating correspondence between bovine and human chromosomes and the com pared gene maps of domestic bovidae.

This volume was originally intended to be an English translation of the book MetllOden in der medizinischen Cytogenetik, published in 1970. Just about then, however, a number of new techniques were introduced in human cytogenetics and soon acquired the utmost importance, parti cularly in clinical diagnosis, so that the English edition had to be con siderably enlarged. As a result, there are now twelve chapters instead of eight, and two additional authors have been called upon, Dr. KRONE and Dr. SCHNEDL. In addition to the up-to-date presentation of con ventional methods of cell culture and techniques for the preparation and identification of human chromosomes, this text covers the various tech niques of producing banding patterns and applying them in chromo some identification. Further, it deals with the culture of amniotic fluid cells and gives instructions for handling tissue-culture cells for bio chemical analysis; it thus meets the ever-increasing requirements of a modern cell-culture laboratory. To paraphrase the aims of this book, we quote part of the preface to the German edition: "It was intended to collect the various methods so as to make them accessible for laboratory use. Furthermore, it is hoped that the reader faced with current research problems will be stimulated to modify and supplement the techniques described, instead of merely applying them automatically. In a rapidly developing field, some methods are still preliminary, and no final presentation seems possible.