How In Situ Hybridization works

 

This image (from Dathe, Katarina, et al. "Duplications involving a conserved regulatory element downstream of BMP2 are associated with brachydactyly type A2." The American Journal of Human Genetics 84.4 (2009): 483-492.) represents the end result of in situ hybridization, a technique we will be using in the experiment. Regions with purple coloration have hybridized with RNA of a target gene allowing us to visualize the expression patterns in tissues, for this example in embryonic mouse digits. 

A great resource for explanations to complex scientific techniques is the Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE). JoVE publishes scientific methods papers accompanied by descriptive videos. These are incredibly helpful when getting acquainted with a new technique. Here is a link to a JoVE video on in situ hybridization https://www.jove.com/video/332...