Molecular cytogenetics involves a combination of molecular biology and cytogenetics. In general, this involves the use of a series of techniques referred to as the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), in which DNA probes are labelled with differently coloured fluorescent tags to visualize one or more specific regions of the genome (Figure 1). The technology enables the location of DNA sequences such as ribosomal DNA, transgenes and specific ISSR and RFLP markers to identify individual chromosome pairs, and also to distinguish between Elaeis oleifera and E. guineensis chromosome in interspecific hybrids.

Main Research: Dr Maria Madon