When is interphase fish more helpful than metaphase?
Answers
Cytogenetics entered the molecular era with the introduction of in situ hybridization, a procedure that allows researchers to locate the positions of specific DNA sequences on chromosomes. Since the first in situ hybridization experiments in 1969 (Gall & Pardue, 1969), many variations of the procedure have been developed, and its sensitivity has increased enormously. Today, most in situ hybridization procedures use fluorescent probes to detect DNA sequences, and the process is commonly referred to as FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization). A variety of FISH procedures are available to cytogeneticists, who use them to diagnose many types of chromosomal abnormalities in patients. The success of FISH, and all other methods of in situ hybridization, depends on the remarkable stability of the DNA double helix.