logo
Products
Services
Resources
Selection Guides
About
What are the differences between karyotype and chromosome microarray?
Posted August 16, 2023
DNA and RNA QuantitationNucleic AcidsNucleusgene sequencing
Answer

Basis of differentiation

Karyotype

Chromosome microarray

Definition
A karyotype is a standard laboratory technique to visualize and analyze the number and structure of chromosomes in a cell 
Chromosome microarray is used as a diagnostic tool to identify genetic causes of illness and developmental problems   
Detection 
Karyotype analysis detects entire chromosomes
Chromosome microarray analysis gene fragments utilizing a large quantity of known probes to provide genomic information
Procedure
Karyotype analysis requires manual selection of cultured cells
CMA can use uncultured amniocytes
Sample requirement
A karyotype requires a sample of cells, typically obtained through amniocentesis or from blood  
CMA requires a smaller sample of DNA, typically obtained from blood or other tissues
Resolution
Karyotyping can identify large-scale chromosomal abnormalities and changes in size of chromosomes  
CMA offers higher resolution compared to karyotyping and can detect small deletions and duplications 
Additional resources
Karyotype Gene Expression Analysis & Genotyping

How do I prepare an RNA sequencing library?What are the differences between microarray and next generation sequencing?What types of disorders can chromosome microarray analysis diagnose?What are the advantages of long-read sequencing?What types of RNA can be analyzed using RNA-seq?