The Principles of Clinical Cytogenetics - Extra Materials - Springer

Automation in the Cytogenetics Laboratory 121
Computer
Fig. 7. CytoVision automated chromosome imaging system. (Courtesy of Applied Imaging.)
Although both PC- and Macintosh-based systems have been available, the recent trend has been a
move toward PC-based imaging systems. The computer(s) can be networked, allowing the actual
analysis of the images to be performed off-line and to facilitate data sharing.
Software
The software for automated imaging systems for cytogenetics consists of at least two parts: acquisition
or capture, and the actual analysis. These can be two distinct steps or can be seamlessly integrated
into one application. The acquisition step drives the camera in order to take a digital picture
(capture an image). It also includes image enhancement features such as contrast adjustment, background
subtraction, and shading correction. After image capture and enhancement, the user can analyze
the image using the analysis applications of the software.
Although there are many commercial packages available for image analysis, cytogenetics software,
especially developed to address the specific requirements of a cytogenetics laboratory, includes
several important features that are not available in conventional image analysis packages. Some of
these features include the automatic generation of karyotypes and the automated scoring of interphase
FISH slides.
Printer
A high-quality print of the image is still important in the cytogenetics laboratory. Although the
trend might be moving to a so-called paperless laboratory, a hard-copy print is often needed to for
diagnostic and/or archival purposes. In addition to the high-resolution black and white images of
karyotypes prepared by all cytogenetics laboratories, a printer used for FISH applications must be
capable of reproducing the range of colors generated by modern FISH software.