The history of human cytogenetics in India—A review

Abstract It is 60 years since the discovery of the correct number of chromosomes in 1956; the field of cytogeneticshad evolved. The late evolution of this field with respect to other fields is primarily due to the underdevelopment of lenses and imaging techniques. With the advent of the new technologies, especially automation and evolution of advanced compound microscopes, cytogeneticsdrastically leaped further to greater heights. This review describes the historic events that had led to the development of human cytogeneticswith a special attention about the history of cytogeneticsin India, its present status, and future. Apparently, this review provides a brief account into the insights of the early laboratory establishments, funding, and the German collaborations. The details of the Indian cytogeneticists establishing their labs, promoting the field, and offering the chromosomal diagnostic services are described. The detailed study of chromosomes helps in increasing the knowledge of the chromosome structure and function. The delineation of the chromosomal rearrangementsusing cytogeneticsand molecular cytogenetictechniques pays way in identifying the molecular mechanisms involved in the chromosomal rearrangement. Although molecular cytogeneticsis greatly developing, the conventional cytogeneticsstill remains the gold standard in the diagnosis of various numerical chromosomal aberrations and a few structural aberrations. The history of cytogeneticsand its importance even in the era of molecular cytogeneticsare discussed.