FISH techniques for constructing physical maps on schistosome chromosomes

In an effort to provide useful information about parasites important in tropical diseases, the WHO has initiated genome mapping projects for a number of parasites. One goal of this effort is to establish physical maps of the genomes of the targeted parasites. Multicellular parasites (helminths) contain various numbers of chromosomes, some large, that condense during the cell cycle. Here Hirohisa Hirai and Phil LoVerde present details of fluorescence in situ hybridization as a means to localize genes and DNA fragments to schistosome chromosomes. Although the techniques presented are for schistosome chromosomes, they are applicable to any system where the chromosomes condense at metaphase.