This SBIR study is directed toward the development of a rapid, practical, automated system for the scoring of chromosome aberrations. This automation will be based on the use of non-fluorescent color pigment painting of centromeres and chromosomes. The specific aberrations to be addressed include dicentrics, fragments, and chromosome translocations. The techniques will be applied to the analysis of mammalian cells exposed to both high-LET and low-LET forms of ionizing radiation. In Phase II, incorporation of three specific assays will be completed: 1) genomic instability based on a clonal assay; 2) PCC dicentric assay for high- energy dose assessment; and 3) ultrasensitive measurement of low level acute and chronic low-level exposure of mammalian cells to both high-LET and low-LET radiation. The techniques and hardware developed in this SBIR can be expanded to a much broader set of chromosome aberration assays. It is anticipated that the availability of a rapid, reproducible, automated system for chromosome assay will meet significant needs of clinicians and researchers. Clinicians, specifically, will now be able to produce more timely diagnoses for treatment (ex: post-radiation exposure), and for assessment of genomic instability.Proposed commercial application:The availability of a rapid, automated system for chromosome aberration analysis will meet several clinical and research needs: 1) timely biodosimetry assessments and related treatment diagnosis;2) practical large sample size aberration assay measurements.National Cancer Institute (NCI)
