A unique chromosome staining technique, used in human cytogenetics to identify individual chromosomes, which produces characteristic bands.
It utilises acetic acid fixation, air drying, denaturing chromosomes mildly with proteolytic enzymes, salts, heat, detergents, or urea, and finally Giemsa stain; chromosome bands appear similar to those fluorochromed by Q-banding stain.
Synonym: Giemsa chromosome banding stain.
(05 Mar 2000)