title: Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for direct visualization of microorganisms.
abstract: As a technique allowing simultaneous visualization, identification, enumeration and localization of individual microbial cells, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is useful for many applications in all fields of microbiology. FISH not only allows the detection of culturable microorganisms, but also of yet-to-be cultured (so-called unculturable) organisms, and can therefore help in understanding complex microbial communities. In this review, methodological aspects, as well as problems and pitfalls of FISH are discussed in an examination of past, present and future applications.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Charité, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany. annette.moter@charite.de
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moter
authors.forename: U B
authors.initials: UB
authors.lastname: Göbel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000166:cytology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005658:Fungi / Q000166:cytology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends / Q000662:veterinary; D015341:Nucleic Acid Probes; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D015341:Nucleic Acid Probes; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S