Specific banding patterns of human chromosomes.

Individual pairs of human chromosomes can be reliably identified by a new method that does not require special optical equipment and that results in permanent preparations. This method, which is based on treatment of the chromosomes in situ with NaOH, followed by incubation in sodium chloride-trisodium citrate and Giemsa staining, results in highly specific banding patterns in characteristic regions of the chromosome arms. It should prove useful for the detection of small structural changes in chromosomes.