Method of Visualizing Chromosomes of Somatic Cells that Do Not Divide

Category: Biology and Medicine

Reference Number: 00352

Description

Examination of mitotic chromosomes is essential for cytogenetic research, in particular for the chromosomal mapping of the genes responsible for some genetic disorders and cancers linked with the chromosomal alterations. Till today, no methods have been developed to visualize mitotic chromosomes of postmitotic cells (e.g., neurons). Chromosomes become visible only during cell division. Adult brain cells never divide and therefore their chromosomes have never been examined. This is a method that allows visualization of the chromosomes of these non-dividing adult neurons and perhaps those of all other non-dividing cells.

Applications

Basic biological studies of various disciplines, analysis and diagnosis of cell/tissue pathology, and search for the causes of various diseases. Tools in cytogenetics, detection of postmitotic cells, aneuploidy, chromosome translocation, inversion, deletion, etc.

Main Advantages

This breakthrough method provides a way to examine complete sets of chromosomes of non-dividing cells, which was not previously possible. Many serious diseases such as dementia and heart attack may be from mutations in postmitotic neurons or heart myocytes. It may be possible to see the mutations or chromosomal aberrations by this method. This method would become even more powerful if combined with the latest molecular cytogenetic approaches.

Inventor(s)

Tomoharu Osada, Ryuzo Yanagimachi
Institute for Biogenesis Research
Department of Anatomy and Reproductive Biology

Contact Information

For licensing information, please contact Dick Cox at rcox@hawaii.edu

For all other inquiries, please write to:

Office of Technology Transfer & Economic Development
University of Hawai’i
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Honolulu, HI 96822