(c)
        2008 by SM Carr, after Genetix, with permission
Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization (FISH) identification of Human Chromosomes -
"Chromosome Painting"

    DNA probes specific to regions of particular chromosomes are attached to fluorescent markers and hybridized with a chromosome spread. The picture of an ordered set of human chromosomes shows a computer-generated "false colour" image, in which small variations in fluorescence wavelength among probes are enhanced as distinct primary colours. The combination of probes that hybridize to a particular chromosome produces a unique pattern for each chromosome. This makes it particularly easy to detect segmental deletions and translocations among chromosomes.


Text & image © 2008 by Steven M. Carr, after original by Genetix, with permission