Application of scanning force microscopy to chromosome analysis.

The application of scanning force microscopy (SFM) to the imaging and analysis of chromosomes is described. This relatively new microscopical technique has been used to provide high-resolution, three-dimensional images of uncoated and unstained human chromosomes in which surface features less than 50 nm have been resolved. Comparison of SFM images with light microscopy data has permitted identification of specific chromosomes, and images of a chromosome showing a cytogenetic abnormality are presented. These preliminary results demonstrate that this technique has potential applications in the imaging and analysis of chromosome structure.