GBandAnalyse

GBandAnalyse is an open-source software package designed to analyze G-banding patterns in chromosome preparations. It provides tools to extract, quantify, and compare banding patterns from digitized karyotypes and microscopy images. The project aims to support researchers in cytogenetics by offering automated band segmentation, intensity normalization, and ISCN-compatible band labeling, enabling reproducible analysis across samples and studies.

Key features include an image processing pipeline for band detection and segmentation, quality metrics for band calls, support for ISCN nomenclature, and data import/export in common formats. The software can be operated from the command line or accessed as a library in software pipelines, allowing integration with other bioinformatics tools.

GBandAnalyse is maintained by an open community and hosted on a public repository. It emphasizes cross-platform compatibility and uses standard image-processing and numerical libraries. Documentation covers installation, tutorials, and API references.

Applications and limitations: The tool is used in academic cytogenetics research and educational demonstrations. It is intended to aid analysis and not as a stand-alone clinical diagnostic device. Analysis quality depends on the quality of input images and karyotype preparations; complex or mosaic patterns may require manual review.

See also: ISCN, G-banding, Chromosome nomenclature.