Fluorescence in situ hybridization (
FISH) is a
cytogenetic technique that uses
fluorescent probes that bind to only those parts of the chromosome with a high degree of sequence
complementarity. It was developed by biomedical researchers in the early 1980s and is used to detect and localize the presence or absence of specific
DNA sequences on
chromosomes.
Fluorescence microscopy can be used to find out where the fluorescent probe is bound to the chromosomes. FISH is often used for finding specific features in DNA for use in genetic counseling, medicine, and species identification. FISH can also be used to detect and localize specific RNA targets (
mRNA,
lncRNA and
miRNA) in cells, circulating tumor cells, and tissue samples. In this context, it can help define the spatial-temporal patterns of
gene expression within cells and tissues.