Patent ID: 6214558
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: C12Q

Abstract:
A method for detecting a fetal chromosomal abnormality, comprising the steps of:a) introducing a first nucleic acid probe to a sample, wherein said first probe is capable of hybridizing to at least a portion of a first fetal chromosome in the sample;b) introducing a second nucleic acid probe to the sample, wherein said second probe is capable of hybridizing to at least a portion of a second fetal chromosome;c) washing said sample to remove unhybridized first and second probes;d) determining a number X of said first probe that is hybridized to said first fetal chromosome or portion thereof;e) determining a number Y of said second probe that is hybridized to said second fetal chromosome or portion thereof;f) determining whether a difference exists between number X and number Y, the presence of a statistically-significant difference being indicative of a fetal chromosomal abnormality.