Fluorescence in situ hybridization

Spectacular advances in the use of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for the visualisation of specific DNA sequences in metaphase chromosomes and interphase cells have been made over the fast few years making the technique a useful tool in clinical research. One of the biggest impacts has been in the field of detection and diagnosis of human malignancies. Chromosomal translocations, deletions, amplification of specific genes and changes in chromosome number can all be detected in the non-dividing interphase nucleus using probes ranging from whole chromosome ‘paints’ to individual gene specific probes. Gene mapping has also benefited from advances in FISH technology. Target sequences ranging from one to several hundred kilobases can be visualised on metaphase chromosomes and spatial resolution in interphase cells permits the ordering of two probes over a distance as small as 1000 base pairs. The potential uses of FISH continue to increase with each new technical innovation.