Cytogenetics studies chromosomal activity and its relationship with genetics. Clinical cytogeneticists use the latest technology to apply chromosome studies to clinical medicine. A degree in a related field is required, and there are different training programs and degrees of involvement depending on the country. Clinical cytogeneticists analyze blood for genetic information, study prenatal chromosome diagnosis, and analyze bone marrow or blood samples.
Cytogenetics is a scientific branch dedicated to the study of cellular structure, specifically chromosomal activity and its relationship with genetics. If you were to become a clinical cytogeneticist, your work would utilize the latest clinical technology in the application of chromosome studies to clinical medicine. Due to the technological advances required to establish and advance this field, you must be able to use microscopes among other equipment used to analyze cells and equipped with a thorough understanding of the techniques used to study them. If you are a person who enjoys laboratory work, science, and is interested in helping to advance the field of genetics, then perhaps considering this field would be a good fit for you.
The cytogenetics of work can be better understood if broken down into parts. The first component, cyto, refers to the cell. Genetics is the study of hereditary materials. Therefore, cytogenetics basically means cellular genetics. To become a clinical cytogeneticist, you must therefore acquire a vast amount of knowledge and an intricate set of skills pertaining to the clinical aspect of this profession as well as the scientific underpinnings of the discipline.
The best way to acquire the necessary foundational knowledge is to pursue an undergraduate degree in the field or a related field. Some programs of study may include cell biology, genetics or molecular biology, to name a few. These degrees assist in acquiring fundamental knowledge. Most programs include the study of biology at the cellular level, in addition to an essential foundation in chemistry, physics and other sciences.
After successfully earning a degree, there are several steps to take to become a clinical cytogeneticist. There are different degrees of involvement that a person may choose to pursue within the field, as well as different professional meanings of clinical cytogeneticist from country to country. In the UK, for example, to become a clinical cytogeneticist, there is a specific training program required for licensing. This training program is considered the STP, or scientist training program. In the United States, however, to become a clinical cytogeneticist, a postdoctoral degree is usually required.
There are other ways to get involved and work in the field if you don’t opt for medical school followed by specialized postdoctoral training. You can choose to get involved as a coach. A technician is responsible for conducting routine procedures but is unlikely to be involved in analyzing the results.
Relative to the work that clinical cytogeneticists actually do, their responsibilities generally come in three forms. The first is to analyze the blood for genetic information about birth anomalies, learning disabilities, reproductive problems, or anything that deviates from the norm. Second, most people in this field study prenatal chromosome diagnosis, which is done by analyzing samples of prenatal fluid. The third task is also about sampling; however, the sources for these tests are bone marrow or blood.
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