Topical Collection

Applications of Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization II.

Editor

Thomas Liehr, PhD, Dr.h.c., ass. Prof. (YSU and BMS)

University Clinic Jena, Institute of Human Genetics, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany

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Research Interests: clinical genetics; (molecular) cytogenetics; interphase architecture; ZOO-FISH; marker and derivative chromosomes

Topical Collection Information

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is an approach applied and applicable in many fields of biological research and diagnostics. Its unique feature is to provide information on localization and copy numbers of specific stretches of nucleic acids on the single cell level. Thus, FISH cannot be replaced by, like in medical field at present very popular ‘high throughput approaches’, which are mostly providing information on the genetic content of thousands to millions of cells at a time. FISH provides multiple possibilities and variants, according to the question to be answered. Fluorescence in situ hybridization can be applied as (i) single to multi-color FISH approaches, (ii) using DNA, RNA, cDNA, PNA, and other types of labeled nucleotides as probes; also (iii) samples for FISH can be various human, animal or plant derived tissue types, and even single cellular organisms.

In this special issue of OBM Genetics, we have selected topics that highlight the progress, the state-of–the-art and future potential of fluorescence in situ hybridization, ranging from practical and technological aspects to applications in research and diagnostics of fluorescence in situ hybridization in human, animal, plant, fungi, biofilms and bacteria. Overall this issue provides information where and how fluorescence in situ hybridization can be applied in practice, and shows its high potential in diagnostics and research.

Publication (5 papers)