Cytogenetics; Mouse Bone Marrow

We had a Genetics practical today in which we undertook chromosomal analysis, or Cytogenetics.

During Metaphase the chromosomes can be seen under the microscope and the number, shape and size of chromosomes  is different for each species.

The sides we were looking at were those we prepared earlier in the semester, using bone marrow samples we extracted ourselves from the femur of a mouse.

Under the microscope the chromosomes can clearly be seen in metaphase:

Pretty cool...

We counted the number of chromosomes in each set and looked for breakage in the arms. In 'real life' they do it to map genes, look for mutations in genes, inherited diseases and tumours. 

It took us about half an hour to find and count 5 sets but the veterinary genetics technicians said they can get though 500 sets from one animal per day!