Most of CytoTest’s FISH probes are labeled with CytoOrange and CytoGreen, and some other probes are offered in CytoAqua, CytoRed and CytoGold labeling colors. The specific labeling color can be found on each product’s page under the Products section on our website. If you are interested in a probe that is not available in the color you need, please contact us; we can customize it for you!

 The probes should be kept at -20°C, protected from light. Repeated freezing and thawing or exposure to high temperature should be avoided. It is recommended to aliquot and store the probes in small volumes.

 Expiration date labels are included on each product’s packaging. If probes are stored according to the conditions specified on the packaging, the probes should be stable for at least 12 months without significant decrease in signal intensity or quality.

 10 μl of probe is recommended for one reaction on a hybridization area of 22 x 22mm; 8 μl of probes is recommended for one reaction in a reaction area of 18 x 18mm;  5 μl of probes is recommended for one reaction in a circular reaction area of 12mm in diameter. Insufficient amount of probe may result in uneven or weak signals.

 The size range of CytoTest’s FISH probe is typically between 50~400 kbp, which is short enough to easily enter the cells and long enough to be specific and exhibit strong signal.

 Fresh prepared metaphase spreads, cytology specimen, cell lines, frozen sections and archived paraffin-embedded slides can all be used with CytoTest’s FISH probe.

 It is advised to observe the cell growth curve in advance and add the drug(s) that most optimally arrests cells in the metaphase of the cell cycle at the appropriate time.

 Chromosomes appearing tangled together occurs as a result of insufficient spreading out; it may be caused by adding fixing solution too fast, by cells not being dispersed appropriately or by short hypotonic buffer reaction time. It is advised to adjust the temperature and humidity of the environment when preparing the slide; in addition, before placing the cells onto the slide, place one drop of fresh fixing solution immediately before placing the fixed cell suspension. You can also gently swirl the slide to help spreading of cells and untangle chromosomes.

 This could be caused by elevated denaturation temperature and prolonged denaturation time.

 Insufficient drug concentration or reaction time when arresting cells in metaphase will result in elongated chromosome morphology; on the contrary, excessive concentration or prolonged reaction time will result in shortened chromosome morphology which can make chromosome identification more difficult.