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Reprint Cytogenetic and Genome Research 2004, Vol. 104, No. 1-4 The role of chromosome aberrations in evolution and human health is well recognized. This volume brings together papers summarizing our current knowlege of the structure of interphase nuclei, chromosome structure, mechanisms of aberration formation and the practical application of this knowledge in radiobiology, biomonitoring of human populations and cancer research. Molecular cytogenetic techniques such as fluorescence in situ hybridization using whole chromosome and region specific painting DNA probes have been successfully used to identify and quantify chromosome aberrations, which is reflected in several papers of this volume. The mechanisms of chromosome aberration formation by different types of ionizing radiation are considered in detail. Furthermore, the important role of telomeres in maintaining chromosome integrity and their involvement in genomic instability are discussed. A final section is dedicated to the clinical relevance of chromosome aberrations in human hereditary diseases, e.g. Fanconi anemia or ataxia telangiectasia, and in many human cancers characterized by specific translocations or deletions. The study of chromosome aberrations is of great relevance in clinical genetics and oncology for diagnosis and disease prevention. Thus this publication is recommended reading for cytogeneticists, radiobiologists, oncologists, and post-graduate students of genetics and medicine.