1 FISH Techniques, FISH Probes and Their Applications in Medicine and Biology - An Overview
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single cells may provide evidence of uniparental disomy associated with
this disorder (Weksberg et al. 1993).
In gene therapy monitoring of transcripts from the transgene may be
another exciting new area for FISH (Fig. 4H). A general problem in gene
therapy at present is instability of the transgene expression, either due to
loss of the transgene or due to silencing. FISH-based demonstration of
presence/expression of the transgene within target cells would clearly facilitate the development of gene therapy protocols.
Microbiology
Infections can be conceptually characterized as a series of discrete events,
beginning with the invasion of the host and continuing with multiplication
at the site of entry and subsequent dissemination throughout the organism. The fate of the microorganism and host is determined by the interactions of the microorganism and host cells and by the general and specific
immune defenses mounted in response to the infection. Understanding
the mechanisms of infections rests on insights derived originally from
quantitative assays of infectious microorganisms in organ systems and
light and electron microscopic examination of the tissues to visualize
the infectious agents and pathological sequelae of the multiplication.
In situ hybridization is one of the more recent and important developments in order to detect, quantitate and locate microorganisms in different cell types at defined anatomical sites (for review McNicol and Farquharson 1997). Because only small amounts of the genome and transcripts of a microorganism need be present for in situ hybridization detection, this technique has opened a whole new line of investigation that is
not restricted to a search for the usual indications of infection, e.g. tissue
damage, viral particles and proteins. In situ hybridization complements
other types of investigation such as immunofluorescence and immunocytochemistry.
Physical mapping of genes on chromosomes
The development of an accurate gene map is one of the main goals of
genetic studies in any organism and the localization of genes to specific
chromosomes and chromosome segments is one of the most rapidly advancing branches of human genetics. The methodology includes linkage
studies, the use of markers or translocated chromosomes in family studies,
37
single cells may provide evidence of uniparental disomy associated with
this disorder (Weksberg et al. 1993).
In gene therapy monitoring of transcripts from the transgene may be
another exciting new area for FISH (Fig. 4H). A general problem in gene
therapy at present is instability of the transgene expression, either due to
loss of the transgene or due to silencing. FISH-based demonstration of
presence/expression of the transgene within target cells would clearly facilitate the development of gene therapy protocols.
Microbiology
Infections can be conceptually characterized as a series of discrete events,
beginning with the invasion of the host and continuing with multiplication
at the site of entry and subsequent dissemination throughout the organism. The fate of the microorganism and host is determined by the interactions of the microorganism and host cells and by the general and specific
immune defenses mounted in response to the infection. Understanding
the mechanisms of infections rests on insights derived originally from
quantitative assays of infectious microorganisms in organ systems and
light and electron microscopic examination of the tissues to visualize
the infectious agents and pathological sequelae of the multiplication.
In situ hybridization is one of the more recent and important developments in order to detect, quantitate and locate microorganisms in different cell types at defined anatomical sites (for review McNicol and Farquharson 1997). Because only small amounts of the genome and transcripts of a microorganism need be present for in situ hybridization detection, this technique has opened a whole new line of investigation that is
not restricted to a search for the usual indications of infection, e.g. tissue
damage, viral particles and proteins. In situ hybridization complements
other types of investigation such as immunofluorescence and immunocytochemistry.
Physical mapping of genes on chromosomes
The development of an accurate gene map is one of the main goals of
genetic studies in any organism and the localization of genes to specific
chromosomes and chromosome segments is one of the most rapidly advancing branches of human genetics. The methodology includes linkage
studies, the use of markers or translocated chromosomes in family studies,