Interactive cytogenetics tutorial

Below is a sample of the interactive cytogenetics activity written by Kimberley for students studying science at the University of Western Australia. In order to play the program correctly, you must have Macromedia Flash Player and Shockwave installed, and allow your browser to accept active content (you will be asked for authorisation if you currently have active content blocked). It will run best on a computer with Microsoft Windows and a recent version of Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer.

The program begins with simple exercises in chromosome sorting and gives the student some background knowledge on using computer images to diagnose genetic conditions. This activity is modelled on actual software and uses images captured by cytogeneticists in routine practice, thereby giving the student a realistic experience of modern genetic diagnostics.

The specific scene demonstrated below depicts a chromosome spread from a patient with chronic myeloid leukaemia, which the students have identified by viewing a series of digital microscopic images of patient blood. In this scene, the student navigates through the diagnosis of the genetic abnormality which causes this disease.

If you follow a link to a page that is "not found," use your browser's "Back" button to return to this page.



Below is a sample of the worksheet that accompanies the program.

Multiplex FISH analysis
Does the karyotype show any abnormalities? Which chromosome(s) is/are involved?
What common name is given to this abnormality?
Consider the two cytogenetic and mFISH techniques in the context of this patient’s case. What are the advantages / disadvantages to each technique?

Questions to be answered from the article
Give a brief overview of the discovery of this defect.
Which genes are affected?
What are the possible consequences of this abnormality?
What is the common molecular feature of this abnormality? Suggest a method you might use to test for this feature.

Formal report
Write a report on this case study, in the format of a journal article.
A good report will incorporate ALL the questions you have answered in this handout, in the appropriate sections (ie. “Introduction” “Methods” “Results” “Discussion”). The Methods section should make reference to the patient details and the methods used to investigate the case.

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