Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH): Definitions

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Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH): Definitions

A hybrid is the combination of two or more different things, aimed at achieving a particular objective or goal. Unpaired strands of DNA can hybridize in a specific way. This is used to detect specific nucleic acid sequences in tissue, cytologic, or chromosome preparations. In situ means that the gene or protein can be examined in place exactly where it occurs.
Hybridization is useful for:
  • Presence or absence of a gene
  • Amplification of a gene
  • Rearrangement of chromosomes
  • Aneuploidy