Application of yeast artificial chromosomes in fluorescence in situ hybridization

In addition to the well-known applications of yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) in classical molecular genetics, they also are used for molecular cytogenetic studies. YACs, as well as other locus-specific probes like DNA, plasmids, cosmids, P1-clones, or bacterial artificial chromosomes can be labeled with fluorochromes and applied in fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) experiments. Various applications are possible, such as gene mapping, FISH banding, determination of chromosomal breakpoints, characterization of derivative chromosomes, studies on the interphase architecture, or karyotypic evolution studies. This chapter outlines the basic principle of how YACs can be hybridized in situ on chromosome preparations. Moreover, an overview is given on possible questions to be processed using YACs as FISH probes.