What Questions Can In Situ Hybridization Answer in Toxicology?
ISH can address a variety of questions in toxicology, including:
Which genes are affected by exposure to a toxicant? ISH can identify changes in gene expression patterns, helping to pinpoint which genes are upregulated or downregulated in response to chemical exposure.
Where are these changes occurring? The spatial resolution of ISH enables researchers to determine the specific cells or tissues where gene expression changes occur, providing insights into the tissue-specific effects of toxicants.
What is the dose-response relationship? By comparing gene expression changes at different doses, ISH can help establish the relationship between the amount of toxicant exposure and the extent of gene expression alterations.
How do genetic variations influence toxicant response? ISH can be used to study how genetic differences among individuals affect their response to toxicants, which is crucial for understanding individual susceptibility to environmental toxins.