Hybridization histochemistry or in situ hybridization in the study of neuronal gene expression

Abstract

1. Currently popular techniques of in situ hybridization histochemistry for the detection of cellular nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) are reviewed. 2. The advantages of single stranded DNA or RNA probes are discussed, together with the advantages of radioactive versus non-radioactive detection of nucleic acid signal. 3. Improving techniques of non-radioactive labelling and the use of image analysis for quantitation of radioactive signals will greatly expand the use of in situ techniques which will become commonplace in the laboratory.