RNA in situ hybridisation (RNA ISH)

Although IHC is the gold standard of in situ biomarker application in the broad discovery, prognostic and diagnostic fields, antibody validation can be very extensive, lengthy, fastidious and can lead to questionable results, mainly due to the lack of standardisation in manufacturing processes as well as poor characterisation of the respective antibody. Therefore, RNA ISH is a powerful alternative in validating your IHC results.

We have implemented RNAScope® technology, which has become known for very specific results and is mainly characterised by assay robustness and high sensitivity. By using the versatility of validated platform we provide you with a broad range of ISH applications according to your special demands.

Before carrying out the mRNA ISH assay we carefully evaluate the optimal assay conditions for your specific specimens. Depending on the expected expression level of your target, housekeeping genes of low, medium or high expression levels are selected to verify RNA integrity and pre-treatment parameters are adapted to the fixation conditions of the specific specimen.

For visualizing the specific probe binding either fluorescently labelled or alkaline phosphatase/horseradish peroxidase (HRP) conjugated molecules for chromogenic detection can be chosen.

Applications are, amongst others, alternative tissue biomarker besides IHC, tissue messenger RNA expression, investigative pharmacology and safety, animal model characterisation, tissue target expression profiling, therapeutic oligonucleotide localisations and target knockdown evaluations. Integrated IHC-ISH projects are warmly welcome.

DNA fluorescence in situ hybridisation (DNA FISH)

Besides providing services on the RNA level, tailored to your specific needs in R&D projects, we also perform Fluorescence in situ Hybridisation (FISH) for clinical studies and diagnostic purposes on the DNA level.

We have just established a melanoma – multicolour FISH, performed using a panel of four probes, used as markers for chromosomal aberrations, typically occurring in this disease pattern. This ancillary diagnostic instrument can help you to distinguish benign nevi from malignant melanomas in daily practice.

For the assay, which is performed according to standardised operating procedures, hybridisation steps are performed on a calibrated heating module. Signal evaluation is carried out with a high throughput, fully automated imaging system that allows for time efficient FISH analysis for all commercial and custom probes in cell suspension and solid tumour samples. The system is able to scan and classify hundreds of cells in minutes.

Apart from the well-established Melanoma FISH assay, our highly experienced team is prepared to deploy any other kind of FISH assay upon your special request. Probe-dedicated applications recognize unique signal characteristics, including signal size, background staining level, intensity, tendency to split and overall preparation quality.