Fluorescence in situ hybridization

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a molecular cytogenetic technique that uses fluorescent probes that bind to only those parts of a nucleic acid sequence with a high degree of sequence complementarity. It was developed by biomedical researchers in the early 1980s to detect and localize the presence or absence of specific DNA sequences on chromosomes.

History

The FISH technique is derived from the chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) method that was first developed in the 1960s. The development of FISH in the 1980s was a significant advancement in cytogenetic technology as it enabled researchers to visualize and map the genetic material in an individual's cells, including specific genes or portions of genes.

Procedure

The FISH procedure involves creating a probe with a fluorescent molecule attached to it. The probe is then applied to a slide with a thin layer of cells. The probe will bind to the specific DNA sequence it was designed to detect. When viewed under a fluorescence microscope, the probe will glow if the sequence is present.

Applications

FISH has a wide range of applications and is commonly used for genetic counseling, medicine, and species identification. It can also be used to detect and localize specific RNA targets (mRNA, lncRNA and miRNA) in cells, circulating tumor cells, and tissue samples.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The main advantage of FISH is its high level of specificity and sensitivity. However, it also has some disadvantages, such as the need for a fluorescence microscope and the fact that the fluorescent signal fades over time.

See Also

• Molecular cytogenetics
• Genetic counseling
• Circulating tumor cells

Fluorescence in situ hybridization Resources
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