Curriculum

Didactic Training
The first six months of Mayo’s Cytogenetic Technology Program consists of formal didactic and clinical laboratory instruction, including lectures, demonstrations, videos and hands-on laboratory experience.

Clinical Practicum
During the last three months of the program, the student will perform chromosome studies on clinical patient specimens under the supervision of the program faculty and laboratory personnel.

You will practice culturing cells, preparing slides for analysis, analyzing metaphases, preparing karyotypes to detect chromosome abnormalities and analyzing fluorescent-labeled cells to detect chromosome variations.

This clinical training includes:

Applications for Clinical Cytogenetics
Chromosome studies are useful for a variety of clinical indications. Prenatal cytogenetic testing is routinely offered to pregnant women over the age of 35 or pregnant women who have abnormal serum screening results. Chromosome analysis is part of the routine clinical workup for children with phenotypic and/or mental deficiency and for couples experiencing reproductive problems.

Cytogenetics provides information for the diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of treatment for a variety of cancers. Since some chromosome abnormalities can be inherited, the finding of a chromosome abnormality in some patients may have implications to other family members and/or to their future pregnancies.

Molecular Cytogenetics/Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) Techniques
Molecular cytogenetics began in the late 1980s, when fluorescent-labeled nucleic acid probes were first hybridized with chromosomes. These FISH probes can be detected on metaphase chromosomes, in interphase nuclei, in tissue sections, or even in blastomeres or gametes. The FISH probes can hybridize to entire chromosomes or to single unique DNA sequences.

The type of FISH probe used is based on the type of syndrome/disease/condition that is suspected. The applications of FISH include: ploidy analysis, translocation and structural breakpoint analysis, detection of deletions and duplications too small to be observed by conventional cytogenetics (microdeletions/microduplications), and gene mapping. FISH is often used as a powerful adjunct to conventional cytogenetics.

Research Training
Research projects and rotation in the clinical laboratory may also be available during the final three months of the program.

Grading or Evaluation
Mayo School of Health Sciences uses evaluative tools that include:

• Written examination
• Demonstration of skills
• Self-assessment exercises
• Faculty reviews

Our system of evaluation provides students and faculty with a comprehensive look at individual performance, allowing students who are experiencing academic difficulty to be directed to appropriate support resources, including tutoring programs and counseling opportunities.