FISH

The Clinical and Molecular Cytogenetics Laboratory is a component of South Texas Reference Laboratories of the Department of Pathology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. The laboratory provides support services for faculty and staff of the Health Science Center as well as services to outside hospitals, clinics and physicians. We are a full-service laboratory performing routine and molecular chromosome analysis.

About the Lab:

A board certified clinical cytogenticist is available to provide assistance with ordering appropriate tests, interpretation for all cases and discussion of abnormal results with the referring physician. Final reports are sent to all referring physicians, counselors, hospitals and laboratories. Preliminary reports are faxed on request and photographs of all karyotypes are available upon request. Color photographs of FISH results accompany all written FISH reports.

Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization (FISH)

Fluorescent in situ hybridization was initially developed in the late 1980's from radioactive hybridization procedures used for mapping human genes. Eventually, this technology was utilized for the for the characterization of chromosomal rearrangements and marker chromosomes, the detection of microdeletions, and the pre-natal diagnosis of common aneuploidies in clinical cytogenetics laboratories. Today, numerous DNA probes have been commercialized, further promoting the wide-spread clinical applications of molecular cytogenetics.

With current FISH techniques, deletion or rearrangement of a single gene can be detected, cryptic chromosome translocations can be visualized, the copy number of oncogenes amplified in tumor cells can be assessed, and very complex rearrangements can be fully characterized.

Using interphase FISH, genomic alterations can be studied in virtually all types of human tissues at any stage of cell division without the need of cell culture and chromosome preparation.

Available Probes for F.I.S.H

Contacts:

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Clinical and Molecular Cytogenetics Laboratory
Department of Pathology
Room 318C
7703 Floyd Curl Drive
San Antonio, Texas

Phone: (210) 567-4050
Fax: (210) 567-4041

Click here for maps to UTHSCSA

Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 7:00am to 6:00pm.

For prompt processing, specimens should arrive in the laboratory by 4:30 pm. on weekdays.

There will be a technologist on call every Saturday. Specimens can be sent and will be processed that day.

Employment:

You may contact human resources for more information on available positions.

Phone:(210) 567-2600, Hours 8:00 to 5:00

Web: www.uthscsa.edu/hr/

Links:

UTHSCSA Home Page
Pathology Home Page