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jackson-cook cytogenetics laboratory

Current Research Techniques Being Tested for Future Clinical Use

The Cytogenetics Laboratory, under the direction of Colleen Jackson-Cook, PhD, recently undertook molecular cytogenetic methods & research studies to find out: 

• if acquired chromosomal changes and or telomere shortening arise from environmental insults
  
• if they  are "programmed" by an individual's genetic make-up, and 
  
• if chromosomes with longer or shorter telomeres are involved more often in age-related chromosomal changes.  

Dr. Jackson-Cook's research team, a majority of whom are post-doctoral students, hopes to determine whether telomere lengths or acquired chromosomal abnormality frequencies can be used as a screening tool for the early detection and enhanced treatment of various health conditions, including Downs Syndrome and various human cancers.

To conduct their studies of blood samples, researchers used Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization or FISH, a process by which the chromosomal location of a specific piece(s) of DNA is identified. Types of FISH include locus-specific, enumeration, painting, and multi-color.

Another specialized technique employed was spectral karyotyping, whereby chromatin from all 24 chromosomes can be simultaneously viewed and classified using unique colors.

Initially researchers found an inverse correlation between telomere length and age with a trend toward short telomeres on 4p, 7p, 12p, and 2q.

Utilizing another tool, DNA combing, they found what they described as a micronucleus, a small structure juxtaposed to the main nucleus and thought to contain chromatin (from one or more chromosomes) not incorporated into the main nuclei and, therefore, “lagging” or “lost” following cell division.

It is hoped that the results of these research efforts and the tools used will eventually benefit the clinical setting in the on-going endeavor to diagnose health problems swiftly and accurately so that the best treatments available can be administered as soon as possible.  For more details on this research or to contact the Jackson-Cook Laboratory, please contact Colleen Jackson-Cook, PhD.

Laboratory Administration 

Colleen K. Jackson-Cook, PhD
Professor of Pathology
Director of the Cytogenetics Laboratory
Office: (804) 628-2992;
FAX (804) 828-4242;
ccook@mcvh-vcu.edu

Updated March 3, 2008