INTERPHASE CYTOGENETICS USING FLUORESCENCE IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION - ANOVERVIEW OF ITS APPLICATION TO DIFFUSE AND SOLID TISSUE

Interphase cytogenetics, utilizing fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques, has been successfully applied to diffuse and solid tissue specimens. Most studies have been performed on isolated cells, such as blood or bone marrow cells; a few have been performed on cells from body fluids, such as amniotic fluid, urine, sperm, and sputum. M echanically or chemically disaggregated cells from solid tissues have also been used as single cell suspensions for FISH. Additionally, inta ct organized tissue samples represented by touch preparations or thin tissue sections have been used,especially in cancer studies. Advantage s and pitfalls of application of FISH methodology to each type of spec imen and some significant biological findings achieved are illustrated in this overview.