In situ hybridization is a technique for detecting the expression pattern of a particular gene sequence in cells or tissues using a complimentary sequence known as a probe. The probe is typically labeled with a fluorochrome or an enzyme, so it can be detected either by using a fluorescent microscope or with a bright field microscope.
ISH differs from immunohistochemistry which typically localizes proteins in tissue sections. ISH can be performed on a variety of targets, including RNA within cells, DNA in metaphase chromosome preparations obtained from mitotic cells, or DNA in interphase nuclei from cells in the non-mitotic phases. ISH not only has the advantages of detection in morphological context, but also is favored by people for its high sensitivity to nucleic acid detection. ISH has been widely used in clinical cytogenetics, tumor biology, gene mapping and chromosome evolution research.
Our experienced team provides ISH services utilizing both bright field and fluorescent techniques in tissues and cells. Multiplex ISH to localize two or more probes in the same sample, whole slide imaging, as well as ISH quantification are also available.
In Situ Hybridization Probes
- Double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) probes
- Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) probes
- RNA probes (riboprobes)
- Synthetic oligonucleotides (PNA, LNA)
Labeling Techniques
- 3H
- 125I
- 32P
- 35S
- Biotin
- Digoxigenin
- Fluorescent dye (FISH)
Features & Benefits
- Rapid and cost-effective ISH accelerates target and biomarker validation
- Increased sensitivity reduces the risk of missing relevant expression patterns
- Highly-specific analysis makes use of FFPE tissue possible
- ISH Multiplexing (ISH:ISH & ISH:IHC)
