Methods for detecting chromosome aberrations

1. A method for detecting a change in a target area comprising:

(a) obtaining a preparation of nucleic acids;

(b) contacting a first probe containing a first label with a complementary probe having a nucleotide sequence complementary to a non-target sequence which may be present in the preparation of nucleic acids to form a bound labeled probe;

(c) removing the bound labeled probe leaving a first selected probe;

(d) contacting the preparation of nucleic acids with the first selected probe;

(e) contacting the preparation of nucleic acids with a second probe containing a second label, wherein the first selected probe and the second probe bind within the same target area in a normal control sample, and wherein the binding of the first selected probe and second probe results in a fused signal in a normal control sample;

(f) contacting the preparation of nucleic acids with a third probe containing a third label, wherein the third probe binds other nucleic acids or another region of the same nucleic acid in the preparation of nucleic acids; and

(g) detecting a change in nucleic acid structure,

wherein the first selected probe and the second probe are not present on the same target area resulting in a split signal; and

wherein

(i) the first selected probe and the third probe; or

(ii) the second probe and the third probe are present on the same target area resulting in a new fused signal.

2. A method for detecting a change in chromosomal structure comprising:

(a) obtaining a preparation of chromosomes;

(b) contacting the preparation of chromosomes with a first probe containing a first label;

(c) contacting the preparation of chromosomes with a second probe containing a second label, wherein the first probe and the second probe bind the same chromosome in a normal control sample, and wherein the binding of the first probe and second probe results in a fused signal in the normal control sample;

(d) contacting the preparation of chromosomes with a third probe containing a third label, wherein the third probe binds other chromosomes or another region of the same chromosome in the preparation of chromosomes; and

(e) detecting the change in chromosomal structure,

wherein the first probe and the second probe are not present on the same chromosome resulting in a split signal; and

wherein

(i) the first probe and the third probe; or

(ii) the second probe and the third probe

are present on the same chromosome resulting in a new fused signal; and wherein

(f) prior to contacting the nucleic acid preparation with the probes,

(i) binding one or more of the first probe containing the first label, the second probe containing the second label, and the third probe containing the third label, to a complementary probe, the complementary probe having a nucleotide sequence complementary to a non-target sequence which may be present in the chromosome sample, to create a bound labeled probe; and

(ii) removing the bound labeled probe.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein one probe is treated according to step (f).

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein two of the probes are treated according to part (f).

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein all three probes are treated according to part (f).

6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the complementary probe is attached to a solid surface.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the solid surface is a bead or a slide.

8. The method of claim 2 , wherein the change in chromosomal structure is chosen from at least one of aneuploidy, amplification, deletion, fusion, translocation, duplication, insertion, and inversion.

9. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first probe, the second probe, or the third probe, or more than one of said probes, is a nucleic acid probe.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the nucleic acid probe is comprised of DNA or RNA.

11. The method of claim 2 , wherein the complementary probe is a non-nucleic acid probe.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the non-nucleic acid probe is comprised of PNA or LNA.

13. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first probe, the second probe, or the third probe, or more than one of said probes, is a non-nucleic acid probe.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the non-nucleic acid probe is comprised of PNA or LNA.

15. The method of claim 2 , wherein the labels are chosen from at least one chromophore, fluorochrome, spin label, radioisotope, enzyme, hapten, Quantum Dot, bead, aminohexyl, pyrene, and chemiluminescent compound.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the fluorochrome is chosen from at least one of 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein, cyanine dyes, (diethyl-amino)coumarin, fluorescein, tetramethylrhodamine, lissamine, Texas Red, AMCA, TRITC, IR dyes, Dyomics dyes, phycoerythrine, cascade blue, Oregon green 488, pacific blue, rhodamine green, and Alexa dyes.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the hapten is chosen from at least one of 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein, 2,4-dinitrophenyl, digoxigenin, rhodamine, bromodeoxy uridine, sulfonate, acetylaminoflurene, mercury trintrophonol, estradiol, and biotin.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the enzyme is chosen from at least one of soybean peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, and horseradish peroxidase.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the chemiluminescent compound is acridinium.

20. The method of claim 2 , wherein the fused signals are detected by a color change.

21. The method of claim 2 , wherein the split signal is detected by a color change.

22. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first probe and the second probe bind on either side of a suspected break point in the chromosome.

23. The method of claim 2 , wherein at least two probes contact the chromosome preparation simultaneously.

24. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first probe, the second probe, and the third probe contact the chromosome preparation simultaneously.