FISH, Fluorescent In situ hybridization: <b>FISHView</b>

FISHView

What is FISH?

The Fluorescent in situ hybridization technique (FISH) is used to locate the chromosomal location of a specific DNA (or RNA) probe. The probe is labeled with a flourescent probe. It is then added to a chromosomal preparation from the species of interest. After a sufficient time for annealing to occur, the chromosomes are viewed using a floruescent microscope. The probe will hybridize to the chromosome carrying the sequence of interest. If the species has been characterized cytogenetically, the marker can be assigned to the appropriate chromosome. Because this technique uses a flourescent probe it is called flourescence in situ hybridization or FISH. It has also been called chromosome painting.

Observation of the hybridized sequences is made with an epifluorescence microscope. The white light of the source lamp is filtered so that only the relevant wavelengths for excitation of the fluorescent molecules arrive onto the sample. Emission of the fluorochromes happens in general at larger wavelengths, which allows to distinguish between excitation and emission light by mean of another optical filter. One thus sees bright colored signals onto a dark background.

With a more sophisticated filter set, it is possible to distinguish between several excitation and emission bands, and thus between several fluorochroms, which allows observation of many different probes on the same strand.

What is Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)?

First done in 1988, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) allows couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) for infertility to screen their embryos for a host of genetic diseases and disorders. Its main advantage is that it avoids selective pregnancy termination as the method ensures a pregnancy free of the disease under consideration. PGD thus is an adjunct to assisted reproductive technology

FISHView

FISHView® is Applied Spectral Imaging's fully-automated image acquisition and analysis system for FISH. FISHView is one of ASI's CytoLabView modules for Cytogenetics. Other related products for FISH are: Manual Counting, SpotCView, MultiStain and SPOTScan.

Compatibility

FISHView is compatible with any fluorescence microscope and can be integrated with either a monochrome, color or cooled digital high resolution camera.

Workspace

FISHView brings you:-

Flexible, user-friendly, quantitative FISH imaging software.
Automatic Z-axis control for Z-stacking and 3D data export.
Automatic exposure controls and contrast for image capturing.
User-defined image capture region.
Integrated Karyotyping module
Unique band enhancement with Inversion option for counterstain.
Advanced color control with brush tools for brightness control at cursor location.
Control on regions without effecting contrast in inner regions.
Manual Counting utility - Extremely useful for manual scoring of cells
Multi-application chromosome compare - (Comparing G-band, FISH, HISKY chromosomes)
SpotCView -Dedicated module: Low cost solution for Automatic spot counting and amplification measurement.
FISHView Multi-stain - Dedicated module: Fast low cost solution for multi-stain protocols combining successive brightfield and FISH staining of the same slide – showing the resultant images of cells side by side

Workspace

Acquisition Features - Image Capture

Aquires FISH images easily and accurately, capturing even the weakest signals
Automatic Filter Blocking Capabilities when system unused for a period of time
Image Converter to FISHView format
Original 12-bit images always preserved
Time-resolved imaging for a sequence of filters to see changes in a sample over time
Automatic conversion of sequences of images at different focal planes into one focused image
Support for unlimited number of filters and automated filter wheel
Manual and automatic filter wheel and microscope control
Automatic exposure control and image enhancement
Easy "click-and-drag" capabilities to define the region of interest
Sensitive focus mode for accurately focusing even faint signals
Dedicated fluorescence and bright field modes
Real-time display of acquired layers as well as the combined color image
Image gallery to view cases by metaphase or karyotype
Integrated speech capabilities

Analysis Features - Robust Image Analysis

Robust tools for image analysis
Powerful quantification tools for measuring signals
Complete tool kit for cytogeneticists
FISHView saves the changes you make to the image separately from the original image file and the original is preserved
FISH signal quantification of each layer, including size, length and other shape parameters
Extensive color control capabilities allow the user to automatically refine the image display or to fine-tune the smallest details
Real-time updated gallery of acquired layers
Corrections for shift between layers
Manual and automatic segmentation
Easy-to-use manual counting utility
Automatic background correction

Click Image to enlarge.

User-friendly Reports and Comparison Tables

Multi-image reports (up to 24 images on one page)
Ready-to-use report templates
Flexible image annotation
Robust comparison tool to compare images within a case and between cases

Complete Cytogenetics Tool Kit

Full karyotyping support
Automatic contrast for counterstained and probe signals
High quality band enhancement of counter-stained chromosomes
Dynamic karyotype tables which automatically changes to accommodate changes in species, chromosome size, and your personal settings
Seamless upgrade to BandView and HISKY
Multi-case chromosome comparison, combining G-band, FISH and HISKY results

Installation and Support

Detailed user manuals and extensive on-line help.
Free phone support for a year from system installation.
One-year warranty for the system and a three-year warranty for the computer.

Related Links
System Specifications
Manual Counting Utility

Downloads
FISHView Data Sheet
SpotCView Data Sheet
Multi-Stain Data Sheet

FAQ's