Open AccessA computer program for analyzing bivariate flow karyotypes
Author(s) -
van den Engh Ger,
Hanson Don,
Trask Barb
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
cytometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1097-0320
pISSN - 0196-4763
DOI - 10.1002/cyto.990110120
Subject(s) - bivariate analysis , karyotype , univariate , chromosome , superposition principle , computer science , subtraction , gauss , set (abstract data type) , function (biology) , algorithm , mathematics , statistics , biology , multivariate statistics , physics , arithmetic , genetics , mathematical analysis , quantum mechanics , gene , programming language
This article describes a computer program for analyzing bivariate flow karyotypes of human chromosomes stained with Hoechst 33258 (HO) and chromomycin A3 (CA). The karyotype first is divided into regions that contain chromosome peaks. The chromosomes that are associated with those areas are identified. The distributions in these areas then are fitted with mathematical functions of increasing complexity. The process starts by fitting a specified number of univariate Gauss functions to projections of the HO and CA distributions of each area. The final fit can include multiple bivariate Gauss functions, including a background function for debris subtraction. The results of one stage in the fitting process serve as seed values for the next, more complex step. Since the program autonomously estimates the starting values for the iterative fitting procedures, the fit results are insensitive to operator bias and the program will consistently converge to the same solutions. The resulting table of parameter values can be used to compare flow karyotypes to a reference data set.