Abstract
A simple system for the semi-automatic detection of
numerical abnormalities appearing in chromosomes
in a tumor was developed. The system consists of a
fluorescence microscope, a personal computer, and
a microscope stage which can be controlled three-dimensionally
by the computer. A DNA probe of a
specific sequence was hybridized on chromosomes
in cells of interphase, and the probe was labelled
with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). The ratio
of the number of nuclei in which the number of
hybridized parts per nucleus was ≥ 3 to the total
number of nuclei was obtained semi-automatically
by the computer system. The results obtained by
this system were compared with those by the human
eye for the same preparation were compared.
The difference between the two methods was less
than 5%, demonstrating sufficient accuracy for
practical use.
