I am a cytogeneticist with special interest in the structure and function of human chromosomes. My work involves cell culture and staining of chromosomes. I have worked with my colleagues to develop methods to analyze specific parts of chromosomes, such as the kinetochore, telomere, and many interstitial chromosome bands. We study various chromosome bands during the replication cycle. I am interested in structural and numeric chromosome abnormalities and how they relate to biological processes, birth defects, and malignant disorders.

Our cytogenetic laboratory has one of the largest clinical caseloads in the world. I have grant support to study hematological malignancies and for testing new cytogenetic techniques for clinical practice and research. Thus, I have opportunitites to investigate chromosome anomalies in a variety of clinical settings, including prenatal, congenital, and malignant neoplastic processes.

The number of applications for cytogenetic studies in medicine has grown significantly in recent years. This has caused caseloads to grow faster than we can hire and train new people. Consequently, I have become interested in automated methods to culture and process cells for cytogenetic studies as well as computer-based methods for analyzing stained chromosomes. I also have interests in molecular cytogenetic techniques. The use of chromosome specific DNA probes now make it possible to visualize individual genes and to do chromosome studies on non-proliferating cells. This technological advancement significantly increase the usefulness of cytogenetic studies in clinical practice and research.