Analyzing the Process of Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization

Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH) is an important process which deals with localization and processing of DNA sequences in a chromosome strand. It is a cytogenetic technique developed by Stem Cell Researchers, back in 1980s. FISH is a process which helps in finding specific DNA features. Such features in turn help in genetic counselling, medicinal research and species identification. 

FISH is named so because of the fact that the technique uses fluorescent probes in order to detect the specific DNA sequences. Also the process is in situ and thereby the name. The fluorescent probes used get bounded by only some parts of the chromosome. This is the specific part of chromosome which shows the highest amount of complementarity. Thus, the DNA sequences are detected and localized.

Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (FISH) is a rather general process. FISH can be customized according to need of research. Different probes can be used and subsequently different analysis can be performed. The sequencing and labelling of probes lead to difference in the various types of FISH processes. Generally researchers use two types of probes: cellular and acellular. “In situ” refers to a cellular placement of probes. 

FISH has become an important and popular process. It is used for a variety of purposes. Apart from the ones already mentioned earlier, FISH is also used for detection and localization of RNA targets of all types. Through RNA pattern detection and localization, FISH helps in defining spatial and temporal patterns in gene expression of cells and tissues.

There are various types of FISHs which have been developed by researchers since 1980s. Different types of probes are used for a variety of applications. Some of the major applications include disease diagnosis in individuals, prognosis evaluation, cancer remission calculation, species identification, genomic hybridization and so on. Developed by Stem Cell Cytogenetics researchers, FISH is often used in clinical trials, to detect the presence of any unknown bacteria on a patient. 

FISH is also used to diagnose diseases like Down syndrome, Prader Willi syndrome, Angelman syndrome, chronic leukemia and deletion syndrome. FISH on sperm cells can also help in diagnosing sperm chromosome abnormalities. Treatment can be customized according to the results of the FISH tests. Thus, FISH comes off as an indispensable testing technique which can help in the diagnosis and treatment of a lot of patients suffering from rather unknown diseases.