In situ hybridization to cellular RNA.

In situ hybridization to cellular RNA is used to determine the cellular localization of specific messages within complex cell populations and tissues. Tissues may either be embedded in paraffin and sectioned on a microtome (see Hybridization Using Paraffin Sections and Cells), or frozen and sectioned in a cryostat (see Hybridization Using Cryosections). RNA contained in the specimens is hybridized to a specific radiolabeled probe (see Synthesis of (35)S-Labled Riboprobes and Synthesis of (35)S-Labled Double-Stranded DNA Probes), which is then detected using film autoradiography or emulsion autoradiography (Chapter 8).