FISH and FICTION in Lymphoma Research.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a powerful and robust technique allowing the visualization of target sequences like genes in interphase nuclei. It is widely used in routine diagnostics to identify cancer-specific aberrations including lymphoma-associated translocations or gene copy number changes in single tumor cells. By combining FISH with immunophenotyping-a technique called fluorescence immunophenotyping and interphase cytogenetic as a tool for investigation of neoplasia (FICTION)-it is moreover possible to identify a cell population of interest. Here we describe standard protocols for FISH and FICTION as used in our laboratories in diagnosis and research.