The aim of our study was application of contemporary methods of molecular aosis ( PCR. Polymerase chain reaction and FISH, Fluorescent in situ hybridization) in radiation cytogenetics.Remarkable advances have been made in past few years in the understanding the changes of human genom, among persons professionally exposed to radiation. The phenomenon of premature centromeric division (PCD) is characterized by situation in which chromatids of chromosomes are alredy separated in metaphase and segregation of chromosomes regularly process during mitotic anaphase or anaphase II of meiosis. In our study, we suggest that PCD,as phenomenon representing the manifestation of chromosomal instability (CIN), should be reviewed as probable cytogenetic biomarker for individuals occupationally exposed to ionizimg radiation and that, in addition to conventional cytogenetics procedures, FISH should be applied for analysis of both metaphases and interphase nuclei. Furthemore, ionizing radiation is an inducer of gross structural alterations in the HPRT (hypoxanthine-guaninephosphoribosyl transferase) gene and other mutation assay systems. Indipendet mutations were analyzed for genetic altertions using multiplex PCR. In addition, PCR is being used in molecular diagnosis in leukemias. Molecular characterization of these mutations has revealed that the leukemias are commonly associated with structural chromosomal aberrations, mostly with translocations. This method is fast, accurate, relatively cheap, witch makes it appliable even in our circumstances.
