Automatic detection and localization of sister chromatid exchanges.

Sister chromatids of human metaphase chromsomes from cells which have replicated twice in medium containing 5-bromodeoxyuridine exhibit unequal fluorescence when stained with the dye 33258 Hoechst. Sister chromatid exchanges occurring in these chromosomes are apparent as interchanges of brightly and dully fluorescing chromatids. A technique for detecting such exchanges by computer analysis of chromsome images has been developed and found to campare favorably with manual methods. The exchanges have been localized in the context of quinacrine banding patterns.