What is the Difference Between In Situ Hybridization and Immunohistochemistry?

In situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) are both techniques used to study the localization of genes, proteins, and other molecules within tissues. However, they differ in their targets and detection methods.

In situ hybridization (ISH):

• Detects specific sequences or regions of DNA or RNA in thin tissue sections or cells mounted on slides.
• Provides precise microscopic localization of nucleic acids such as DNA and mRNA.
• Can use chromogenic or fluorescence modalities.

Immunohistochemistry (IHC):

• Detects proteins of interest in thin tissue sections or cells mounted on slides.
• Measures the localization of proteins in tissue.
• Can use up to 4 colors (chromogenic IHC) or 7 colors (immunofluorescence) for staining.
• Investigators can choose between monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

Both techniques can be used separately or in combination to achieve similar goals, such as localizing gene expression within tissues. In some cases, it may be necessary to use ISH and IHC together to obtain more detailed information about the relationship between protein and mRNA localization.

Comparative Table: In Situ Hybridization vs Immunohistochemistry

In Situ Hybridization (ISH) and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) are both techniques used to detect and localize specific molecules in tissue samples. Here is a table comparing the differences between the two methods:

Both ISH and IHC are highly specific and accurate techniques that can be used in diagnostics for cancer and infectious diseases. They are performed in sterile in-vitro environments and can provide rapid, reproducible results. However, ISH is limited to the detection of specific nucleic acids, while IHC is limited to the detection of specific proteins.