This book is a unique source of information on the present state of the exciting field of molecular cytogenetics and how it can be applied in research and diagnostics. The basic techniques of fluorescence in situ hybridization and primed in situ hybridization (PRINS) are outlined, the multiple approaches and probe sets that are now available for these techniques are described, and applications of them are presented in 36 chapters by authors from ten different countries around the world. The book not only provides the reader with basic and background knowledge on the topic, but also gives detailed protocols that show how molecular cytogenetics is currently performed by specialists in this field. The FISH Application Guide initially provides an overview of the (historical) development of molecular cytogenetics, its basic procedures, the equipment required, and probe generation. The book then describes tips and tricks for making different tissues available for molecular cytogenetic studies. These are followed by chapters on various multicolor FISH probe sets, their availability, and their pot- tial for use in combination with other approaches. The possible applications that are shown encompass the characterization of marker chromosomes, cryptic cytogenetic aberrations and epigenetic changes in humans by interphase and metaphase cyto- netics, studies of nuclear architecture, as well as the application of molecular cytogenetics to zoology, botany and microbiology.

Parts: Molecular cytogenetics, probes and equipment; FISH applications in different tissue preparations; Characterization of marker chromosomes; Characterization of cryptic and epigenetic aberrations; Interphase FISH and characterization of the nuclear architecture; FISH applied in Zoology, Botany and Microbiology; Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and array CGH; FISH-internet links.