In Situ Hybridization (ISH)

In Situ Hybridization (ISH) is an advanced molecular diagnostic technique that identifies specific nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) targets within tissue sections or cytology specimens using labeled complementary probes. Unlike conventional molecular assays, ISH allows direct visualization of genetic alterations or infectious organisms within their histological context, enabling precise localization of molecular abnormalities in individual cells.

ISH plays a critical role in oncology, hematopathology, infectious disease diagnosis, and genetic testing. It is commonly used to detect gene amplifications, chromosomal rearrangements, deletions, copy number changes, viral genomes, and gene expression markers that assist in diagnosis, prognosis, therapeutic selection, and disease monitoring.

Depending on the clinical application, ISH may be performed using Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) or Chromogenic In Situ Hybridization (CISH) technologies.