SUCCESSFUL USE OF THE SAME SLIDE FOR CONSECUTIVE FLUORESCENCE IN-SITUHYBRIDIZATION EXPERIMENTS

The feasibility of using the same slide repeatedly for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) experiments was systematically evaluated by applying standard procedures and various combinations of direct- and indirect-labeled probes to slides from patients with hematologic malig nancies. Specific and distinct hybridization signals along with weak b ackground signals and chromosome morphology of good to moderate qualit y could be obtained in up to three experiments performed consecutively on the same slide. Signals related to biotin- or digoxigenin-labeled probes applied in previous hybridizations were still visible with vari able intensity, but interpretation problems that may result from this signal noise can be avoided by using adequate probes, detection system s and fluorochromes, and sequence of experiments. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.