Automated in situ hybridization: diagnostic and research applications

Although in situ hybridization has been in use for almost 30 years, its technically demanding nature, the requirements for optimal tissue fixation and preservation, and the turnaround time for the experiments have prevented this technique from becoming widely used in the surgical pathology setting. The use of nonisotopic reporter molecules, the possibility of performing hybridization on archival material, and very recently, automation of the procedure have brought in situ hybridization to the forefront of diagnostic and experimental pathology. We describe our experience with nonradioactive, automated in situ hybridization, compare the technique with traditional manual procedures, and briefly outline its potential applications in diagnostic pathology and in the research setting.