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Indian Journal of Human Genetics, Vol. 8, No. 1, Jan-Jun, 2002 pp. 3 Editorial Catching up with the progress…..
Dipika Mohanty Editor, Indian Journal of Human Genetics Code Number: hg02001 Indian Journal of Human Genetics has ushered the change of hand. Now, the new Editorial Board is set up and I as the new Editor see the tremendous task ahead to come out successful fishing through the troubled water. However, I am hopeful for the same with the hardwork of myself and my colleagues who will help me in this endeavour. Some of the changes which are proposed in future for the betterment of the journal has been provided in this issue and will be implemented in the next issue. The suggestions regarding this if any may be communicated to the Editorial Board. Facilitation has been made for the quick publication at each step i.e. manuscript submission, review by the referee and also for the decision making by the Editorial Board etc. It is largely due to the progress in the electronic media. This issue deals with mostly the molecular cytogenetics work exclusively carried out in India. The accuracy of cytogenetic diagnosis has improved steadily over the past 20 years and India is not lagging behind as evidenced by the articles in this issue. The impact of the new FISH techniques in the cytogenetics of haematological malignancies can not be over emphasised. A range of techniques based around fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (FISH) have greatly enhanced cytogenetic analysis. These use a variety of nucleic acid sequences as probes to cellular DNA target and serve to bridge the gap between molecular genetic and conventional cytogenetic methods. FISH today is a widespread and diversely applied technology. The list of areas in which FISH is employed includes karyotype analysis, gene mapping, DNA replication dosimetry, gene transcription and expression and the study of chromatin organization as structure. The diversity of application is complemented by a diversity in the types of probes and detection systems that are currently being employed for FISH techniques. It is beyond the scope of this Editorial report to describe this sophisticated technique in detail. However, it is quite heartening to know that many of these techniques are being applied in clinical practice by our Indian cytogeneticists. The advances in recombinant nucleic acid technology and ability to clone and amplify DNA segment in microorganisms has provided richest source of probes for FISH. The advantage of FISH is that it can be utilised both on metaphase chromosomes and interphase nuclei and using flow sorted chromosome specific libraries, chromosome painting had been developed. So, today FISH technique and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) for detecting changes in DNA copy throughout tumor genome and new methods for simultaneous multiprobe hybridization and global visualization of structural rearrangements has come of age. Furthermore all normal or rearranged human chromosomes can be unequivocally identified by newly developed procedures designated as multifuor and spectral karyotype. Thus, the combination of CGH and multifuor or special karyotype analysis allows identification of all types of genomic abnormalities in cancer cells. Simultaneous development of fluorescence microscopy and the introduction of digital imaging have all empowered FISH to play an important diagnostic role in clinical laboratory. Lastly, I would like to end with a positive request to all our members for submission of quality articles which will enable us to raise the standard of the journal. Copyright 2002 - the Indian Society of Human Genetics |
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