This atlas presents the results of cases of structural chromosome aberrations based on the currently available methods of analysis for different types of abnormality. It particularly focuses on which spectrum should be chosen when combining the different techniques to achieve the best method of diagnosis in individual cases, for example direct preparation of cells and mitoses, short or long-time cell culture, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), analysis of interphases, microarray or DNA sequencing. Generally it has to be taken into account, that the development of new and improved investigation methods is forthcoming. Thus, by improvement of diagnostic possibilities new fields of investigation arise, and special groups of patients with cytogenetic analyses can be re-analysed under new research questions.

Critical to the accurate diagnosis of human illness is the need to distinguish clinical features that fall within the normal range from those that do not. That distinction is often challenging and not infrequently requires considerable experience at the bedside. It is not surprising that accurate cytogenetic diagnosis is also often a challenge, especially when chromosome study reveals morphologic findings that raise the question of normality. Given the realization that modern human cytogenetics is just over five decades old, it is noteworthy that thorough documentation of normal chromosome var- tion has not yet been accomplished. One key diagnostic consequence of the inability to distinguish a “normal” variation in chromosome structure from a pathologic change is a missed or inaccurate diagnosis. Clinical cytogeneticists have not, however, been idle. Rather, progressive biotechnological advances coupled with virtual completion of the human genome project have yielded increasingly better microscopic resolution of chromosome structure. Witness the progress from the early short condensed chromosomes to the later visualization of chromosomes through banding techniques, hi- resolution analysis in prophase, and more recently to analysis by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH).

Now in its second edition, this atlas serves as an easy-to-use diagnostic guide for the analysis of the human karyotype. Split in four parts, it starts with a comprehensive introduction covering the molecular cytogenetic basics, the role of ethic committees and international quality control in the field of diagnostics. The main parts II and III show the spectrum of different types of chromosomal abnormalities by a combination of karyogram and ideogram. They compare the significance of different banding techniques, give the karyotype formula and describe morphological peculiarities of each case presented. The final part provides a detailed description of non-coding DNA variants and focuses on potential problems in the detection of aberrations. It also mentions necessary additional investigations and peculiarities to be considered when counselling carriers of a chromosomal aberration or their relatives. Given its comprehensive scope and practical approach, this atlas is an indispensable resource for researchers, clinicians and practitioners working in the field of cytogenetics and clinical genetics.

THE UPDATED NEW EDITION OF THE POPULAR COLLECTION OF HIGH-RESOLUTION CHROMOSOME PHOTOGRAPHS FOR GENETICISTS, MAMMOLOGISTS, AND BIOLOGISTS INTERESTED IN COMPARATIVE GENOMICS, SYSTEMATICS, AND CHROMOSOME STRUCTURE Filled with a visually exquisite collection of the banded metaphase chromosome karyotypes from some 1,000 species of mammals, the Atlas of Mammalian Chromosomes offers an unabridged compendium of the state of this genomic art form. The Atlas??contains the best karyotype produced, the common and Latin name of the species, the published citation, and identifies the contributing authors. Nearly all karyotypes are G-banded, revealing the chromosomal bar codes of homologous segments among related species. The Atlas brings together information from a range of cytogenetic literature and features high-quality karyotype images for nearly every mammal studied to date. When the Atlas was first published, only three mammals were sequenced. Today, that number is over 300. Now in its second edition, this book contains extensive revisions and major additions such as new karyotypes that employ G- and C- banding to represent euchromatin and heterochromatin genome composition, new phylogenetic trees for each order, homology segment chromosome information on published aligned chromosome painting. Summaries of the painting data for some species indicate conserved homology segments among compared species. An invaluable resource for today's comparative genomics era, this comprehensive collection of high-resolution chromosome photographs: Assembles information previously scattered throughout the cytogenetics literature in one comprehensive volume Provides chromosome information and illustrations for the karyotypes of 300 new species Addresses the mandate of the Human Genome Project to annotate the genomes of other organisms Serves as a basis for chromosome-level genome assemblies Offers a detailed summation of three decades of ZooFish (chromosome painting) Presents high-resolution photos of karyotypes that represent more than 1,000 mammal species Written for geneticists, mammalogists, and biologists, the Atlas of Mammalian Chromosomes offers a step forward for an understanding of species formation, of genome organization, and of DNA script for natural selection.

There is growing enthusiasm in the scientific community about the prospect of mapping and sequencing the human genome, a monumental project that will have far-reaching consequences for medicine, biology, technology, and other fields. But how will such an effort be organized and funded? How will we develop the new technologies that are needed? What new legal, social, and ethical questions will be raised? Mapping and Sequencing the Human Genome is a blueprint for this proposed project. The authors offer a highly readable explanation of the technical aspects of genetic mapping and sequencing, and they recommend specific interim and long-range research goals, organizational strategies, and funding levels. They also outline some of the legal and social questions that might arise and urge their early consideration by policymakers.

A stunning visual collection of the banded metaphase chromosomekaryotypes from some 850 species of mammals, the Atlas of MammalianChromosomes represents an unabridged compendium of the state ofthis genomic art form. Bringing together information currentlyscattered throughout the cytogenetics literature for scores ofpublished and unpublished species, this atlas features high-qualitykaryotype images for nearly every mammal studied to date, making itthe most comprehensive assemblage of high-resolution chromosomephotographs available--a critically invaluable resource for today'scomparative genomics era. For every available species, the Atlas of Mammalian Chromosomespresents the best karyotype produced, the common and Latin name ofthe species, the published citation, and the contributing authors.Most karyotypes are G-banded, revealing the chromosomal bar codesof homologous segments among related species. Addressing the mandate of the Human Genome Project to annotate thegenomes of other organisms as well, the Atlas of MammalianChromosomes offers a step forward in our understanding of speciesformation, of genome organization, and of DNA script for naturalselection. It is an invaluable resource for geneticists,mammalogists, and biologists interested in comparative genomics,systematics, and chromosome structure.

This new edition now titled “Human Chromosome Variation: Heteromorphism, Polymorphism and Pathogenesis” provides the reader with an up-to-date overview of microarrays, fragile sites, copy number variations and whole genome sequencing. Greatly expanding the discussion of microarray analysis in the previous edition of the book, are new chapters on microarray and genomic analysis, plus comprehensive tables on the subtle microdeletions and microduplications that are found on each chromosome, including 235 recurring copy number variants that are associated with well-established or emerging chromosomal syndromes. The current edition features concise information on cytogenetic methods and applications, extending these discussions to DNA analysis and genome sequencing. Sections on euchromatin, heterochromatin, FISH pattern, fragile site, copy number, and DNA sequence variation are integrated with actual clinical examples from cytogenetic laboratories and from clinical practice. The principles that allow for the distinction between benign chromosome / DNA variation and pathogenic heteromorphisms / polymorphisms are discussed and include references to the latest organizational guidelines and genomic or population databases. The two previous incarnations of this book: the ‘Atlas of Human Chromosome Heteromorphism’, and ‘Human Chromosome Variation: Heteromorphism and Polymorphism’ have been standard reference works in most cytogenetic laboratories, used by laboratory directors and clinicians all around the world. While widely used sections from the previous edition on cytogenetic technologies and heteromorphisms are retained intact the present volume adds extensive material on copy number variations (polymorphisms detected by microarray analysis), fragile sites in disease and cancer, and practical views on interpreting emerging technologies, including whole exome sequencing. This book should be of interest to clinicians, technicians and students who are or will be exposed to DNA and/or chromosome analysis and the data derived from these continuously developing techniques. This fully updated book volume will bring the reader up to speed on the latest technologies, their applications, benefits and drawbacks and as such, is a must read for anyone with an interest in DNA and chromosome analysis and the distinction between benign variation and pathogenic mistakes.