Computer-assisted analysis of human G-banded chromosomes.

The problem of data input into the computer was solved by means of an electromechanical scanner of our own design, which processes information from a positive photocopy. Classification of chromosomes in homologous pairs uses linear functions of discriminant variables. Evaluation of the quality of discriminant variables is based on multivariate generalization of analysis of variance and on Wilks' statistics. The success of the system described depends generally on the reproducibility of banding, on the loss of information during photographic process, on the parameters of the equipment used, as well as on the mathematical methods employed. The results were obtained from an analysis of 27 male and female diploid sets from the normal population and they are fully comparable with other systems, although no direct processing of the sets from the preparation is used.