Ibrahim Sherrif F, van den Engh Ger
Institute for Systems Biology, 1441 North 34th Street, Seattle, WA 98103, USA.
Chromosome Res. 2004;12(1):5-14. doi: 10.1023/b:chro.0000009328.96958.a6.
Structural and genetic characterization of chromosomes is necessary to understand both normal and pathologic physiology in any species. Flow cytometry and cell sorting technologies provide a means for precise measurement of chromosomal makeup as well as for the isolation of specific chromosomes for further study. Advancements in molecular biology protocols and pressures from large-scale sequencing endeavors placed increased demand on the developers of these instruments for enhanced throughput and quality of results. The ensuing improvements in sorting performance led to the development of a new generation of cytometers known as high-speed cell sorters. These machines provide superior results in less time and are cheaper and simpler to operate than their predecessors. Robust chromosome sorting can now be performed in the laboratories of individual investigators for a variety of gene- and sequence-specific studies. Resolution of the flow karyotype with increased refinement, and the development of new applications for this technology will assure that cell sorting continues to play an important role in cytogenetics, our understanding of molecular processes such as evolution and disease etiology, and ultimately serve as a launching point for predictive medicine.
染色体的结构和遗传特征对于理解任何物种的正常和病理生理学都是必要的。流式细胞术和细胞分选技术提供了一种精确测量染色体组成的方法，以及分离特定染色体以进行进一步研究的手段。分子生物学方案的进步以及大规模测序工作的压力，对这些仪器的开发者提出了更高的要求，以提高通量和结果质量。随后分选性能的改进导致了新一代细胞仪的发展，即高速细胞分选仪。这些机器能在更短的时间内提供更优的结果，而且比其前代产品更便宜、操作更简单。现在，个体研究人员的实验室能够进行可靠的染色体分选，用于各种基因和序列特异性研究。随着流式核型分辨率的不断提高以及该技术新应用的开发，细胞分选将继续在细胞遗传学、我们对进化和疾病病因等分子过程的理解中发挥重要作用，并最终成为预测医学的起点。
