Question

Describe what is Whole Mount In Situ Hybridization.
Outline and Describe the Advantage and Disadvantage of Whole Mount In Situ Hybridization
5 Marks

Answer 1

Whole Mount In Situ Hybridization (WMISH) - It is a common technique used for visualizing the location of expressed RNAs in embryos. In this process, synthetically produced RNA probes are first complementarily bound, or "hybridized," to the transcripts of target genes. Immunohistochemistry or fluorescence is then used to detect these RNA hybrids, revealing spatial and temporal patterns of gene expression. Unlike traditional in situ hybridization techniques, which require thin tissue sections whose images will need to be computationally reassembled, the whole-mount technique allows gene expression patterns to be assessed over the entire embryo or structure.

Advantages

1. It is the only method to detect mRNA in tissue.

2. Can determine which cell synthesizes a protein since many proteins are transported away from cell body.

3. It can be used when no antibody exists for a protein.

Disadvantages

1. Use of radio labelled probes  require special training, handling and can be expensive.

2. The probes can take weeks to yield results.

3. The procedure require sterile conditions and therefore easily subject to error or contamination.