Chromosome painting refers to the hybridization of fluorescently labelled chromosome-specific, composite probes to cytological preparations.
Chromosome painting was developed independently by research teams at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories and at Yale University.
Chromosome painting involves the use of fluorescent-tagged chromosome specific DNA sequences to visualize specific chromosomes or chromosome segments by in situ DNA hybridization and fluorescence microscopy.
Chromosome painting helps in
a) understanding of chromosome changes that occurred during the evolution of specie
b) identifying homologous chromosome segments in different species and to map probes of different complexities and chromosome rearrangements in a single experiment
c) analysing complete karyotypes of various mammals including primates, carnivores and artiodactyls