Whole mount in situ hybridization is a method of viewing gene expression in intact tissue, developing embryos, and tadpoles. It uses labeled, in vitro transcribed RNA probes to specifically bind to mRNA through complementary base pairing. Unlike protein detection, making an antisense RNA probe requires only knowledge of the corresponding coding sequence. It is therefore accessible for any gene, and has contributed hugely to our understanding of how genes shape development. This protocol highlights the key considerations balancing fixation and permeabilization to preserve tissue while allowing the probe to enter cells, and to optimise signal-to-noise for the colorimetric reaction.
- 9926904589701891
- Whole Mount In Situ Hybridization in Xenopus
- Caroline W BeckJoanna M Ward
- Caroline Beck (Editor) - University of Otago, Zoology
- Zoology
- Xenopus: Methods and Protocols, pp.231-244; https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-5360-9
- Springer Nature
- 02/09/2026
- The published version is not available in full-text in OUR Archive. Where available, a link to the published version is provided (check the DOI and/or the Files and links section). The full-text item may be open access on the publisher's website. An earlier version of the work (such as authors' accepted manuscript following peer-review or unreviewed preprint/author's original version) may be available in the Files and links section of this record. Alternatively, readers may have subscription access to the full-text from the publisher.
- English
- Book chapter; Research Protocol