2004 Scientific Report

Title page photo:

Title page photo: Spectral karyotyping (SKY) SKY is a powerful 24-color, whole-chromosome painting assay that allows the visualization of each chromosome as a different color. Five spectrally distinct dyes are used in combination to create the unique cocktail of probes. The probe mixture is hybridized to metaphase chromosomes on a slide, then visualized through a spectral interferogram cube that allows the measurement of the entire emission spectrum with a single exposure. The image is captured with a CCD (charge-coupled device) camera system and processed by computer software. The software (SKYView, Applied Spectral Imaging) can distinguish differences in color not discernible to the naked eye by assigning a numerical value to a pseudocolor and/or an RGB color. SKY can detect chromosome material of unknown origin, complex rearrangements, translocations, large deletions, duplications, aneuploidy, and more. In the mouse fibroblast cell line shown here, the genome was found to be tetraploid (four of each chromosome instead of the normal two), with gains and losses of certain chromosomes; for example, loss of one chromosome 7 and gain of two additional copies of chromosome 19. Also, about 14% of the metaphases had a derivative chromosome 4 with a translocation from chromosome 3. (Koeman and Swiatek) Published June 2004 © 2004 by the Van Andel Institute All rights reserved Van Andel Institute 333 Bostwick Avenue, N.E. Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, U.S.A.

Han-Mo Koo, Ph.D. 1963–2004 A native of Korea, Han-Mo Koo joined the Van Andel Research Institute in June of 1999 as the principal investigator of the Laboratory of Cancer Pharmacogenetics, in which he established, among others, projects to study melanoma and pancreatic cancer. In May 2004, Han-Mo passed away following a six-month battle with cancer. We mourn and miss him as an exceptional scientist, a generous colleague, and a special friend. iii