Fluorescence in situ hybridization

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a molecular cytogenetic technique that uses fluorescent probes that bind to specific parts of a nucleic acid sequence with a high degree of sequence complementarity. It was developed by biomedical researchers in the early 1980s to detect and localize the presence or absence of specific DNA sequences on chromosomes. Fluorescence microscopy can be used to determine where the fluorescent probe is bound to the chromosomes. FISH is often used to find specific features in DNA for genetic counseling, medicine, and species identification. FISH can also be used to detect and localize specific RNA targets (mRNA, lncRNA, and miRNA) in cells, circulating tumor cells, and tissue samples. In this context, it helps define the spatial and temporal patterns of gene expression within cells and tissues.