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Understanding Cancer Series

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  • Posted: 10/20/2009

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Slide 5

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Genome-Wide Profiling: Comparative Genomic Hybridization

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Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) is a method that allows researchers to detect large-scale changes in chromosomes. They can visualize where there is extra genetic material (repeating copies), deleted material, or regions where large portions of genetic material exchange between chromosomes. Many cancers exhibit these types of chromosomal abnormalities.

Graphic shows a closeup of a slide holding all the chromosome pairs present in a cell that is dividing. Probes from normal DNA are tagged red and those from tumor DNA are tagged green. Where the probes bind equally, a chromosome on the slide appears yellow. Where there is loss of tumor DNA the chromosome appears red because more probe from normal DNA binds. Finally, where the chromosome gains tumor DNA, the color is green because more probe from tumor DNA binds.