Cytogenetics Department

The workplace is incorporated in the Complement of laboratories IHBT. It continuously defends an independent and impartial assessment of professional competence of the Complement of laboratories according to the standard ČSN EN ISO 15189, whose application is verified by the Czech Institute for Accreditation. Examination methods within the scope of accreditation are defined by the appendix of the Accreditation Certificate in the current version, which is available on the website IHBT.

The Cytogenetics Department deals with cytogenetic and molecular-cytogenetic diagnostics of acquired chromosomal aberrations in tumor cells in adult patients with various types of hematologic malignancies. These examinations are important in establishing a diagnosis, determining prognosis, and monitoring the effectiveness of therapy. 

All available classical and cytogenomic methods are implemented and used at the workplace for diagnostic and research purposes. 

In classical cytogenetic analysis, bone marrow cells or stimulated and non-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes are cultured in growth medium. Chromosome preparations are stained with the appropriate banding method (G-banding of chromosomes in metaphase) and subsequently evaluated using a microscope and computer image analysis. Based on the results of classical cytogenetic analysis, all pathological findings are verified using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) methods. This method allows the identification of numerical and structural changes in dividing and non-dividing cells (interphase nuclei). It is used for screening the most common chromosomal changes in hematologic malignancies, for detection of residual leukemic cells after chemotherapy, or for revealing complex chromosomal rearrangements that cannot be determined by classical cytogenetic analysis. To study structural chromosomal changes, all available modifications of the FISH method are used (I-FISH, cIg FISH, mFISH, mBAND) and chip technologies are used for research (aCGH, aCGH/SNP).

Our workplace participates in the research activity focused on solving the research project IHBT, which deals primarily with the issue of genome instability in leukemic cells. The aim of research studies is molecular-cytogenetic analysis of cryptic deletions and chromosomal rearrangements in bone marrow and blood cells of patients with myeloid neoplasia and myeloid leukemias. Using molecular techniques, precise break points on chromosomes are localized and corresponding genes in deleted regions are mapped. The study of chromosomal changes serves not only for clinical stratification of patients into prognostic groups, but is also an essential basis for the identification of genes associated with tumor initiation and progression. Analysis of these genes and their products helps us understand the pathogenesis of malignant transformation and significantly contributes to the development of new therapeutics and targeted therapy.

The Cytogenetics Department collaborates very closely with the Center for Tumor Cytogenomics at Charles University on the basis of a contract between the two institutions from 2002. 

Employees are bound by confidentiality under the Law on Health Services, 372/2011 Coll.

Trust and high data security is one of the basic priorities in the activities of the Complement of laboratories IHBT. Established procedures take place in accordance with the Law on Personal Data Protection 110/2019 Coll., and Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council EU 2016/679, of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data and repealing Directive 95/46/ES. More information is available on the website IHBT.

• List of department employees
• Publication activity
• Cooperation