Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization of Cells, Chromosomes, and Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Tissues

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with DNA probes allows the visualization of gene copy number and localization of specific DNA targets with fluorescence microscopy. Cells in culture, metaphase chromosomes, and tissue sections are fixed and prepared on glass slides. Both the DNA in the cells and fluorescently labeled probe are denatured, and the labeled probe is allowed to hybridize to the cellular DNA. The slides are washed, counterstained, and viewed via fluorescence microscopy. We describe the basic method for preparing slides and probes for studies involving DNA copy number changes and structural chromosome rearrangements in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections and cell culture preparations.