Boekel Scientific RapidFISH Slide Hybridizer, 240200, Microscope slide oven (115V/230V)

The RapidFISH was designed to simplify Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization (FISH) procedures for FFPE (formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue) samples, cell suspensions, and other tissue preparation procedures. Temperature control and humidity are essential for FISH probes to bind to RNA and DNA. The RapidFISH has a self-clamping slide tray design that maintains the required humidity. Microscope slides in the RapidFISH do not require coverslips to be glued because the removable tray of the slide incubator traps moisture in the system. Elimination of this step decreases processing time and ensures that the specimens stay hydrated during processing. The system has an easy to use control system for controlling temperature, time and controlled temperature steps. The device has a small footprint and still maintains excellent temperature stability and uniformity because of its dual heater convection system. FISH testing is used worldwide to identify biological markers in the form of DNA/RNA. 

• Self-clamping slide tray, ideal for hybridization
• No coverslip glue necessary
• Dual heater convection system for excellent temperature control
• Process up to twenty (20) 3”x 1” glass microscope slides
• Includes slide tray and metal slide holder
• Easy to use control system
• Includes RapidFISH Slide Hybridizer, Slide Tray, Slide Holder

Application Highlights
Histology, Pathology, FFPE sample storage, Cancer Research, Cancer Diagnosis, Genetic Research, Genetic Diagnosis  

Application Overview  
Molecular diagnostics is the fastest growing segment of the diagnostics market.  Flourescent In Situ Hybridization or FISH analysis comprises 700 Million of this 5 Billion dollar market.  The FISH market is projected to grow at 11% year over year for the next five years.  400 to 500 million of this market is generated in the United States.  FISH testing is used to identify biological markers in the form of DNA/ RNA.  It is well-known method for genetic mapping and gene expression profiling.  This technique uses fluorescent dye-labeled probes and a nucleotide sequence that is mapped to a chromosome or intra-nuclear DNA to generate a fluorescence signal which is visualized in situ by microscopy.  It is performed on fresh preparations such as cytospins(cell suspensions) and touch preps or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues may be used.   It is used for research and clinical diagnostics in the areas of:

• Prenatal diagnosis
• Cancer diagnosis
• Molecular cytogenetic of birth defects and mental retardation
• Chromosomal abnormalities
• Clinical genetics
• Neuroscience
• Reproductive medicine
• Toxicology  
• Microbial ecology
• Evolutionary biology
• Comparative genomics
• Cellular genomics
• Differentiation between benign and malignant tumors

The majority of this 700 million market is for reagents including FDA approved tests, companion diagnostics, research use only probes, custom probes and support reagents and supplies.  There is a need for hybridization equipment to perform these labor intensive tests.  To understand the need for hybridization equipment the process requirements must clearly be defined.

 The equipment necessary is as follows:

• pH meter
• Balance
• Stir plate
• Micro-centrifuge
• Refrigerator
• Freezer

Tissue preparation will require:

• Microtome
• Water bath
• Oven

Performing the FISH procedure will require the following equipment and materials in addition to reagents:

• Slide dryer
• Water baths
• Hybridization Oven
• Coplin jars
• Coverslips
• Staining dishes
• Rubber cement
• Fluorescent microscopes DAPI filter (blue), FITC filter (green), and a Texas red filter capable of photography

The FISH Process - Simplified
Sample prep – depariffinization, dehydrate, air dry, pretreatment(95C @ 30 min, Coplin Jar), protease treatment(37°C 10 – 20 min, Coplin jar), Dehydrate, Air Dry, Mark, apply fish probe,   
Place Cover glass with cement
Denature -  5 minutes @ 75°C (45 – 50°C for metaphase spread + additional step to denature probe) Hybridization - 37°C 16hr – 72hr
Labeling Process
Direct Labeling – label is bound to the probe and it is less sensitive
Or    -
Indirect Labeling – Additional step before detection, probe detected using antibodies, results in amplified single
Storage – 4 – 8°C for up to two months, in dark area – light sensitive  

Crucial Process Steps
Two steps in the FISH process require equipment for heating the slides; the denaturing step and the hybridization.  These steps are similar for most FFPE FISH procedures.  
Denature: Denaturing the probes and double stranded DNA
Average Time: 5 Minutes
Standard Temperature: 75°C
Hybridization:  Hybridization of the probes to the target nucleic acids
Time Range: 16 – 72 Hours
Standard Temperature: 37°C
Developed slides must be stored at 4 – 8°C until they are evaluated under a microscope and photographed.  They can be store for months at these temperatures.  

List of Specific FISH FDA approved Tests

Types of FISH Hybridization Equipment
Manual:  The operator is responsible for all liquid additions to the slide to properly expose the assay.  The equipment manages all temperature changes and timers.  These units accommodate 10 – 30 slides
Automatic: Controls the liquid additions and heating of slides so all that the operator has to do is to load the samples.  Manual systems are much lower cost and accommodate 10 – 64 slides.