DRCM / Cytogenetics Platform (PF-CytoG)

The PF-CytoG cytogenetics platform of the Department of Cellular and Molecular Radiobiology (DRCM) at the CEA specializes in the analysis of chromosomes and their abnormalities, including both numerical and structural aberrations. The platform provides expert cytogenetic services to academic and industrial research teams, supporting a wide range of scientific projects.
Cytogenetic analyses contribute to characterization of cells exposed to chemical compounds or generated through genetic engineering, and ensure the quality control of chromosomal stability during cell culture. Using a variety of sample types (cell lines, primary cultures, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), blood samples and organoids), the platform performs metaphase chromosome spreads and implements several molecular cytogenetic techniques based on Fluorescent In Situ Hybridisation (FISH). These include karyotyping by Multi-FISH (M-FISH) using commercial probes, as well as targeted analyses of specific chromosomal regions such as telomeres and centromeres. These approaches allow the investigation of chromosomal rearrangements and telomere aberrations, monitoring telomeric length dynamics using Telo/Centro-FISH, and the analysis of telomeric sister chromatid recombination by Chromosome Orientation-FISH (CO-FISH). The platform also performs conventional cytogenetic techniques, such as Giemsa staining, which, when combined with thymidine analogue incorporation enables the detection of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), a well established marker of genetic toxicity.

The platform uses a cytogenetic drying chamber to ensure the quality and reproducibility of metaphase spreads and is equiped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, including a Zeiss Imager.Z2 microscope, a robotic arm and specialised software that enable automated metaphase detection and high-throughput image acquisition with a capacity of up to 80 slides.
Finally, the PF-CytoG platform works in close collaboration with other DRCM platforms to provide integrated, project-specific solutions that best meet the needs of each research project.

• Mrs Christine GRANOTIER-BECKERS