WiCell and The WISC Bank

Cytogenetics

WiCell Cytogenetics Laboratory specializes in cytogenetic testing of human and mouse embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. For more information please contact the WiCell Cytogenetics Laboratory. (Download a complete testing guidelines table.)

Assay	When to Use
WiCell Cytogenetics Laboratory Guidelines for cytogenetic testing methods of pluripotent stem cell lines
g-banded karyotyping	As a baseline genomic screen At derivation of cell lines At the start of experimental protocols To assess and monitor genomic stability (ex. every 5-10 passages of cell culture) At conclusion of experiments (prior to publication) For cell line banking When publication-quality karyotypes are needed
Spectral Karyotyping (SKY)	As an adjunct to g-banded karyotyping To define complex rearrangements To identify marker chromosomes When publication-quality spectral karyotypes are needed
Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization (aCGH)	As a baseline genomic screen To detect submicroscopic (<5Mb) abnormalities To identify amplified or deleted genes of interest In conjunction with g-banded karyotyping To define translocation breakpoints For research of genomic copy number change To identify structural variation within populations or disease cohorts To develop a cell line copy number variant profile
Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH)	To confirm findings and refine breakpoints detected by g-banded karyotyping To confirm findings and localize genomic gains detected by aCGH analysis As a screen for microdeletions/duplications of known targets As a screen for aneuploidies other than X, 8, 12, and 17
fastFISH	As a rapid screen for large numbers of clones As a cost-effective tool for monitoring aneuploidy
Short Tandem Repeat Analysis (STR)	To monitor identity of a cell line To confirm relationship of iPS cells to their parent line To establish an STR profile of a newly derived or reprogrammed cell line To rule out culture cross-contamination