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CytoG

Cytogenetics

​​​Plateformes​

Published on 9 November 2026
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@C. Granotier-Beckers, CEA​


The PF-CytoG cytogenetics platform of the Department of Cellular and Molecular Radiobiology (DRCM) at the CEA specializes in the analysis of chromosomes and their abnormalities, including both numerical and structural aberrations. The platform provides expert cytogenetic services to academic and industrial research teams, supporting a wide range of scientific projects. Cytogenetic analyses contribute to characterization of cells exposed to chemical compounds or generated through genetic engineering, and ensure the quality control of chromosomal an telomere stability during cell culture.

​Finally, the PF-CytoG platform works in close collaboration with other DRCM platforms to provide integrated, project-specific solutions that best meet the needs of each research project. ​​​

     
  Christine GRANOTIER-BECKER​S
      Principal investigator​​
      Phone: +33 (0)1 46 54 86 86
     christine.granotier@cea.fr

     ​linkedin/christine-granotier-                   beckers-7706011b5


      Secrétariat   
      Aurélie GOURET
      Phone​​: +33 (0)1 46 54 98 66





OFFERS AND SERVICES
The CytoG platform provides expert cytogenetic services:

  • Development and/or optimisation of protocols for the preparation of metaphase chromosomes spreads from various types of samples (cell lines, primary cultures, iPSCs, blood, organoids, …),
  • Molecular cytogenetics techniques:
    • ​​karyotype by Multi-FISH (M-FISH) using commercial probes,
    • analysis of chromosomal rearrangements and/or telomere aberrations by Telomere-Centromere-FISH,
    • analysis of telomere recombination between sister chromatids by Chromosome Orientation-FISH (CO-FISH).
  • Conventional cytogenetic techniques:​ 
    • ​​analysis of chromosome aberrations with automatic detection of dicentric chromosomes using Giemsa staining or   Centromere-FISH,
    • analysis of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) by the incorporation of a thymidine analogue combined with Giemsa   staining.
  • Acquisition of transmitted light or fluorescence images using high-throughput microscopy (up to 80 slides) and software for automated detection of metaphases.
  • Analysis of cytogenetic data.
  • Practical training for students, researchers and professionals for the preparation of metaphase chromosomes from a variety of samples, their labelling using various conventional or molecular cytogenetic techniques (karyotyping, M-FISH, telomere/centromere-FISH, CO-FISH, SCE, Giemsa) and the automated acquisition of images (transmitted light or fluorescence) with metaphase detection.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

@MetaSystems​​

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The Cyto-G platform uses a cytogenetic drying chamber (CDS-5, Thermotron) to ensure the quality and reproducibility of metaphase spreads and is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, including a Zeiss Image.Z2 microscope, a robotic slide feeder with a capacity of up to 80 slides,  and specialised software that enable automated metaphase detection and high-throughput image acquisition (transmitted light or fluorescence).

SOFTWARES

  • Automated metaphase detection  (Msearch, Metasystems)
  • In Situ Imaging System for FISH analysis  (ISIS, Metasystems)
  • Automated dicentric detection  (DCscore, Metasystems)​​