For our patients
What is FISH?
Fluorescence in situ Hybridization or FISH, as it is frequently called, is a special test your doctor orders in addition to your chromosome study. FISH uses small pieces of DNA called probes. The probes have a fluorescent dye attached to them. These probes can attach (or hybridize) to the corresponding DNA in the cells. Using fluorescent microscopes, the dye can be seen either in the cell or on the chromosomes themselves. This test can determine the number of copies of a gene or chromosome region in each cell. Also, this test can be used to see if two genes on separate chromosomes have moved or changed places.
What is microarray?
Microarray, also known as array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), is a new technology. Patient DNA is labeled with one color dye, and normal control DNA is labeled with a different color dye. These DNAs are mixed with each other. The mixture of labeled DNA is then hybridized to a slide covered with thousands of probes. If there is an unequal amount of DNA in a particular region, one color will show up more than the other. A special machine is used to analyze these thousands of tiny probe spots and looks for differences in color. If there is something suspicious on the microarray, FISH testing will then be performed to confirm the findings. These results are then interpreted by our directors and given to your doctor.
Fluorescence in situ Hybridization or FISH, as it is frequently called, is a special test your doctor orders in addition to your chromosome study. FISH uses small pieces of DNA called probes. The probes have a fluorescent dye attached to them. These probes can attach (or hybridize) to the corresponding DNA in the cells. Using fluorescent microscopes, the dye can be seen either in the cell or on the chromosomes themselves. This test can determine the number of copies of a gene or chromosome region in each cell. Also, this test can be used to see if two genes on separate chromosomes have moved or changed places.
What is microarray?
Microarray, also known as array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), is a new technology. Patient DNA is labeled with one color dye, and normal control DNA is labeled with a different color dye. These DNAs are mixed with each other. The mixture of labeled DNA is then hybridized to a slide covered with thousands of probes. If there is an unequal amount of DNA in a particular region, one color will show up more than the other. A special machine is used to analyze these thousands of tiny probe spots and looks for differences in color. If there is something suspicious on the microarray, FISH testing will then be performed to confirm the findings. These results are then interpreted by our directors and given to your doctor.