What are the advantages of Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)?

There are several advantages of FISH. One advantage is that FISH probes are designed to be highly specific, allowing them to accurately recognize and bind to targeted DNA or RNA sequences within the cell. This capability is particularly important for identifying chromosomal abnormalities or gene mutations. FISH also offers high sensitivity in detecting specific DNA or RNA sequences within cells. Another key pro of FISH is its versatility in detecting target sequences in both metaphase chromosomes and interphase nuclei. Metaphase FISH is used to visualize specific regions of the genome and identify insertions, deletions, or other rearrangements with precision determined by the probe used. It also provides positional information. Interphase FISH is used to identify numerical abnormalities as well as specific structural abnormalities. Another advantage is that FISH enables the visualization of hybridization signals at the single-cell level. This provides detailed information about the distribution and abundance of target sequences within individual cells. FISH is also able to detect entire genome ploidy alterations and mosaicism. There are also probes in use for nearly every genomic region. Lastly, FISH technique offers quick results, allowing for shorter hybridization times.