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A Simplified Method for the Study of Chromosomes in Man

Nature volume 186, pages 904–905 (1960)Cite this article

Abstract

GREAT advances in cytogenetics resulted from the use of the Feulgen ‘squash’ technique after pretreatment of cells with hypotonic solutions and colchicine. The cells are submitted to the action of colchicine chiefly to inhibit spindle formation, thus causing accumulation of metaphases and dispersal of chromosomes in the cytoplasm; in addition, the drug has the valuable effect of shortening the chromosomes and inducing sister chromatids to diverge, thus making clear the position of the centromeres. In this way, the whole character of the chromosome is easily and quickly recognizable. For these reasons colchicine is widely employed in plant and animal cytogenetics.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Medicine, Ribeirão Prêto, Medical School of Ribeirão Prêto, Estado de São Paulo, Brazil

    C. BOTTURA & I. FERRARI

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  1. C. BOTTURA
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  2. I. FERRARI
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BOTTURA, C., FERRARI, I. A Simplified Method for the Study of Chromosomes in Man. Nature 186, 904–905 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1038/186904a0

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