QUICK-FISH - A RAPID FLUORESCENCE IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION TECHNIQUE FORMOLECULAR CYTOGENETIC ANALYSIS

A rapid and simplified fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) techn ique for the detection of human chromosome-specific centromeric probes is described. Using chromosomes 1-, 4-, 11- and Y-specific fluorescen ce-labeled probes, the modified or quick-FISH technique, was compared to two conventional FISH methods. The modified FISH technique detected human chromosomes without sacrificing sensitivity or signal quality i n both fresh-frozen and paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Further stu dies demonstrated that this technique can be used with simultaneous ap plication of dual-color probes. This novel technique offers the advant ages of being simpler to perform and faster than conventional techniqu es. The quick-FISH technique can be substituted for any sensitive conv entional FISH method for molecular cytogenetic analysis in fresh, fres h-frozen or paraffin-embedded tissues.