Cytogenetics and cell cultures

The cell culture laboratory contains modern equipment allowing a wide range of experiments: initiation of primary cell cultures, cultivation and maintenance of cell lines, morphological and biochemical description of the cells; characterizing the cellular response; testing the effects of different chemical substances on cell cultures.

Equipment: vertical laminar flow cabinet Class III Biohazard (Aquaria), centrifuges and microscopes (Hettich), inverted fluorescence microscope connected to a computer camera (Olympus CKX41), scales (Kern), CO2 incubator (Sanyo), thermostat (Raypa), optical microscope (Nikon), water bath (Raypa), refrigerators.

Human cytogenetic laboratory is specialized in the study of human chromosome number and structure.

Methods used to analyze chromosomes:

- Classic Cytogenetics – G-banded Karyotype

- Molecular cytogenetics - ARRAY CGH karyotype

Cytogenetic laboratory features the latest equipment, enabling:

- Simultaneously identifying in a single test, several chromosomal changes (Whole genome scanning), thus evaluating hundreds of regions associated with multiple abnormalities;

- Extremely high resolution, identifying submicroscopic abnormalities;

- Microarray system with standard Karyotyping system covers the entire investigation area of human genome (all chromosomes, from the microscopic to the single nucleotide polymorphisms);

- By combining CGH array technique with standard karyotyping allows identifying both the inversions and balanced translocations;

- Accessing databases through specific programs.

Main equipment:

- Complete Nimblegen-Roche microarray line for molecular karyotyping (Comparative Genomic Hybridization)

- Complete Standard Karyotyping system, including: Imager.A2 Axio microscope, AxioCam camera, Hp graphic station software acquisition and image processing.