With more than thirty years of research experience, the Cytogenetics Department within Toma Advanced Biomedical Assays constitutes one of the most extensive and knowledgeable bodies of scientific research at the international level. To date, 150,000 cases of amniotic fluid samples have been examined in this laboratory; 81,000 analysis on samples of chorionic villi and more than 58,000 on peripheral blood lymphocytes. This astronomical number of examinations has made the laboratory a centre of reference for both public and private institutions across the entire Italy. Furthermore, ever at the forefront of research, Toma Advanced Biomedical Assays was the first cytogenetic laboratory in Italy to carry out analysis on samples originating in every one of the country’s regions, thus enabling conceiving mothers to avoid tiring trips to test centres. Study of the chromosome complement (the karyotype) is carried out following the most advanced national and international protocols, via application of highly sophisticated computerised systems. In order to resolve the most problematic cases, the laboratory can also apply supplementary techniques of molecular cytogenetics.
CONVENTIONAL CYTOGENETICS Cytogenetics is the branch of human genetics that studies the chromosome complement of given individuals (the karyotype) with the aim of identifying the presence of any anomalies that may underline specific pathological conditions or reduced fertility. Chromosomes may be studied both in the prenatal and in the post-natal stages.
ANALYSIS (during the prenatal stage) Karyotype of chorionic villi Karyotype of amniotic fluid cells Karyotype of foetal blood karyotype from abortive tissue ANALYSIS (during the post-natal stage) Karyotype of peripheral blood Karyotype of peripheral blood using high-resolution banding techniques Karyotype of cutaneous fibroblasts Karyotype of bone marrow MENDELIAN SYNDROMES WITH CHROMOSOMAL INSTABILITY Cytogenetic analysis of Fanconi Anaemia Cytogenetic analysis of Bloom Syndrome Cytogenetic analysis of Roberts Syndrome Cytogenetic analysis of frequency of chromosomal lesions
MOLECULAR CYTOGENETICS AND ONCOLOGY Since the 1990s, a series of methods combining molecular biological techniques with information about the structure of chromosomes have joined forces with conventional cytogenetic analysis, giving rise to molecular cytogenetics.
The purpose of this new molecular discipline is to increase the level of analysis of the karyotype, thus enabling the identification of imbalances in the genome (loss and/or gain of genetic material) that are not visible using conventional cytogenetic techniques. During these years, Toma Advanced Biomedical Assays has not only introduced such analyses into its diagnostic practice, but has contributed, both through validation studies and a series of scientific papers, to developing their transfer to diagnostics. Molecular cytogenetic analyses include targeted methods that aim at investigating specific chromosomal regions, such as FISH and BACs-on-Beads (Bobs) technology. Then there are methods investigating the whole genome at other resolutions – so-called chromosomal microarray analysis.
Regarding the study of the genetic bases of haematological tumours, our laboratory offers the largest range of specific probes using FISH techniques for differential diagnosis of proliferating lymph and myeloid disorders. The ability to recognise specific chromosomal alterations in haematological disorders today offers an indispensable tool in the prognosis of disease and in the choice of therapeutic protocols.
ANALYSIS fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) using:
Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) Prenatal BACs on beads (BoBs) Karyolitic BACs on beads (BoBs)