Telomere Analysis
General
Telomeres
are specialized structures at ends of linear chromosomes, that are known to be involved
in a variety of genetic phenomena, ranging from novel biochemistry to a potential role
in human ageing and cancer. Quantifying the amount of telomeric DNA in cancer specimens is
an area of growing interest in cytogenetics, since telomeres are essential for the
stability and the replication of chromosomes. Telomeres are thought to play an important
role in senescence and apoptosis. Cancer cells with long telomeres are postulated to form
metastases more likely than those with short telomeres.
The MetaSystems software module for telomere analysis is available as an upgrade for the powerful Isis FISH imaging software. With Isis Telomere the telomeres of chromosomes labelled with a common telomere FISH probe can be automatically analyzed.
Isis Telomere Options and Links |
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Isis Telomere is a software module for the Isis FISH imaging system. |
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Telomere Analysis
Telomeres of the chromosomes in a karyotype can be analysed with just one mouseclick. The regions of the chromosomes containing the telomere signals are automatically detected by the software. If wanted, the regions can be expanded or decreased by mouseclick. The intensity value for each pixel is corrected for the background intensity, and during the measurement the intensities are summarized for the telomere area. The results from telomere measurements is automatically saved into a text file.
Additionally to the telomere signals it is possible to measure a reference signal, using the same or another fluorochrome channel. This reference signal can for example be a centromeric signal for a certain chromosome pair. Telomere data can be diplayed in relation to the data obtained from the reference signal. With this strategy variations between metaphases due to different chromosome condensation can be minimized.
Data Presentation
The results of telomere measurements can be displayed on screen, summarized for all karyotypes that have been analyzed. Data is displayed either as table or graphically, as raw data and in relation to the reference signal. Statistics summarize the measurements of different karyotypes, and of course the results and the graphs can be exported.
