Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) involves the hybridization of a labeled, denatured DNA probe to a denatured target DNA. This target DNA can be present in either metaphase cells, interphase cells, or both. Interphase cells can be obtained from cultured or uncultured specimens.

Metaphase FISH can be employed to evaluate subtle or cryptic chromosome rearrangements and to aid in the identification of marker chromosomes or unknown material attached to a chromosome. Interphase FISH can be used both as a method to study cells that will not divide in culture and as a rapid screen to detect specific abnormalities, such as oncogenic translocations for which specific therapies exist and aneuploidy in prenatal specimens. FISH provides information regarding only the specific probe locus employed. It does not substitute for complete metaphase chromosome analysis, when possible.

Please contact the Laboratory for more information about available FISH testing. To see our complete FISH probe list please Click Here

UMass Memorial Medical Center Cytogenetics Laboratory
Worcester, MA 01605
Phone: 774.442.9015