title: Multiplex-fluorescence in situ hybridization for chromosome karyotyping.
abstract: Multiplex-fluorescence in situ hybridization (M-FISH) was initially developed to stain human chromosomes--the 22 autosomes and X and Y sex chromosomes--with uniquely distinctive colors to facilitate karyotyping. The characteristic spectral signatures of all different combinations of fluorochromes are determined by multichannel image-analysis methods. Advantages of M-FISH include rapid analysis of metaphase spreads, even in complex cases with multiple chromosomal rearrangements, and identification of marker chromosomes. The M-FISH technology has been extended to other species, such as the mouse. Furthermore, in addition to painting probes, the method has been used with a variety of region-specific probes. M-FISH has even recently been used for 3D studies to analyze the distribution of human chromosomes in intact and preserved interphase nuclei. Hence, M-FISH has evolved into an essential tool for both clinical diagnostics and basic research. In this protocol, we describe how to use M-FISH to karyotype chromosomes, a procedure that takes approximately 14 d if new M-FISH probes have to be generated and 3 d if the M-FISH probes are ready to use.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Biology and Human Genetics, Medical University of Graz, Harrachgasse 21/8, A-8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Jochen B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Geigl
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uhrig
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Speicher
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000235:genetics*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D007621:Karyotyping / Q000379:methods; D051379:Mice
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes