ABSTRACT
This chapter provides general introduction to the book Cytogenetics and Molecular Cytogenetics published in this new “Medical Genomics and Proteomics” book series. The idea of chromosomics, as an overarching designation to integrate all research directions on the genome, was introduced by Prof. Uwe Claussen in 2005. Groundbreaking insights into the secrets of inheritance were and are still provided by these basic cytogenomic tools. Banding cytogenetics was introduced by Lore Zech in the 1970s. Fluorescence in situ hybridization is an approach that enables the in situ localization and mapping of specifically defined DNA-sequences. Chromosomic research and diagnostics, in general are enabled and in parts motivated by new technical developments. New cytogenomic approaches are always welcome; however, due to specific advantages of each technique, older ones should not be considered too hastily as outdated.
