FLUORESCENCE IN SITU HYBRIDISATION (FISH) SECTION

Fluorescence In Situ Hybridisation (FISH) is a highly versatile technique that exploits the ability of a fluorescently labelled DNA probe to bind to its complementary sequence within a target located on a microscope slide. It is a powerful complementary technique to classical cytogenetics and allows the analysis of both metaphase and interphase cells.

Metaphase FISH can be used to accurately define cytogenetic abnormalities observed by classical cytogenetic analysis, to identify cryptic or sub-microscopic chromosome abnormalities, or to identify the origin of previously unknown chromosomal material.

Interphase FISH can be used to determine the copy number of a probe, or whether a specific abnormality, such as a prognostic rearrangement is present within a sample.

Microarray analysis flips the conventional FISH theory around and uses fluorescently labelled test DNA to hybridise to a target sequence that is fixed to a slide. This technique provides a high resolution, genome wide platform that can be used to assess genomic imbalances. Since October 2006 this service has been available with specific criteria for use, for more information please contact us.

The images above show: (left) a translocation between chromosomes 7 and 10 detected using whole chromosome paints 7 and 10; (right) a microarray analysis trace.

Author: Gareth Masson Authorised by: Dominic McMullan Version 1.0.2.2
Authorised on 13/01/2010 Next review date 13/06/2011
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