Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) Techniques

Michael R Speicher, Technical University Munich and GSF‐Neuherberg, Munich, Germany

Published online: January 2006

DOI: 10.1038/npg.els.0005779

Fluorescence in situ hybridization allows the visualization and analysis of chromosomal regions on metaphase spreads and in interphase nuclei. The multitude of different FISH technologies and applications range from its use in diagnostics to areas in basic research.

Keywords: chromosome analysis; interphase cytogenetics; multicolour-FISH; high-resolution mapping

Figure 1. Excitation (a) and emission (b) spectra of commonly used fluorochromes. These spectra are normalized to a scale of relative intensity.
Figure 2. Schematic diagram of a typical epifluorescence microscope. After Reichman (2000).
Figure 3. Hybridization patterns of different probes to normal human metaphase spreads: (a) Painting probes for chromosomes 9 (green) and 15 (red) after hybridization to a female metaphase spread, a translocation t(9;15) is readily visible (marked with arrowheads); (b) Female metaphase spread after hybridization with a Xq band-specific microdissection probe; (c) Simultaneous staining of five different centromere regions of chromosomes chromosome 7 (red), chromosome 8 (green), chromosome 11 (blue), chromosome 17 (yellow) and chromosome 18 (pink); (d) Subtelomere PAC-probes for chromosome-arm 5p (green) and 5q (red); (e) Chromosome-band 22q11.2 specific YAC-clone (H05 120 3i6) hybridized to a normal female metaphase spread.
Figure 4. Metaphase spread after hybridization with a 7-fluorochrome M-FISH mix.
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Related Sub-Topics:

Techniques in Cell Biology | Nucleic Acid Structure | Sample Preparation in Structural Biology | Chromosomes and Chromatin Modifications | Techniques and Tools in Molecular Biology
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Article Title: Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) Techniques
 
How to Cite close
Speicher, Michael R(Jan 2006) Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) Techniques. In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester. http://www.els.net [doi: 10.1038/npg.els.0005779]