title: Time-optimized analysis of slit-scan chromosome profiles on a general-purpose personal computer.
abstract: Slit-scan flow cytometry provides a method to analyze large numbers of metaphase chromosomes in a relatively short time due to morphological features. The high detection rate requires fast computing for on-line analysis. Up to now, this has been achieved using special-purpose computers, parallel systems or other complex hardware. Here, we describe an algorithm that can be implemented on a general-purpose personal computer. Digitized chromosome profiles can be classified by several criteria especially for the detection of chromosome abnormalities in biological dosimetry. A data set of approximately 4600 profiles was used. Programming in assembler results in an average computing time of about 600 microseconds per profile. Thus on-line evaluation of slit-scanning data appears to become feasible for many flow cytometers running nowadays.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Applied Physics, University, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Heilig
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hausmann
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rens
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Aten
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cremer
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002877:Chromosomes, Human / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008838:Microcomputers; D009862:Online Systems