What are ViewRNA ISH Assays?

Invitrogen ViewRNA ISH Cell and Tissue Assays incorporate branched-DNA (bDNA) amplification technology to visualize RNA with single-molecule sensitivity. bDNA uses a proprietary probe set design and signal amplification technology, offering a unique, robust, and sensitive in situ hybridization assay for RNA localization.

Overview of ViewRNA ISH Assays

ViewRNA ISH assay selection guide

Use the table below to find the ViewRNA ISH assay that’s right for your research needs.

 ISH Cell AssayISH Cell Plus AssayISH Colorimetric Tissue AssayISH Fluorescence Tissue Assay
Use
  • Detect single RNA molecules at single-cell resolution and quantify gene expression with a limit of detection of single RNA.
  • Visualization of RNA (Cell Assay) or RNA and protein (Cell Plus Assay) through fluorescence in situ hybridization
  • Detection of micro-RNA, circular RNA, exon junctions/splice variants, gene fusion, gene knockout, pre-miRNA, gene editing/CRISPR, CAR-T cell validation and detection
  • Detect single RNA molecules at single-cell resolution and quantify gene expression without the use of antibodies
  • Optimized for complex tissue architectures in multiplexed formats
  • Detection of micro-RNA, circular RNA, exon junctions/splice variants, gene fusion, gene knockout, pre-miRNA, gene editing/CRISPR, CAR-T cell validation and detection
DifferencesOptimized for cultured cells or circulating tumor cells (CTCs)Compatible with multiplex mRNA detection by immunocytochemistry (immunostaining)

Optimized for fixed tissue sections.

Multiplex mRNA detection by immunohistochemistry using colorimetric visualization.

Multiplexing up to three RNA targets.

Optimized for fixed tissue sections.

Multiplex mRNA detection by immunohistochemistry using fluorescence visualization.

Multiplexing up to four RNA targets.

Sample typeOptimized for detection of mRNA in cell cultureOptimized to use with:
  • Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE)
  • Cryopreserved tissue
Compatible sample formats
  • Coverslips mounted on slides
  • 96-well compatible
  • High content kits available for 384-well plates
  • Coverslips mounted on slides
  • 96-well compatible
  • ICC/IF compatible (1 to 2-plex protein)
  • Tissue sections on slides
Not compatibleNot ICC/IHC compatibleNot compatible with 384-well platesNot validated in ICC/IHC
Plex level and readout options

1 to 4-plex RNA

  • Alexa Fluor 488
  • Alexa Fluor 546
  • Alexa Fluor 647
  • Alexa Fluor 750

1 to 4-plex RNA and one or more protein targets, or any combination of RNA and protein as long as the fluorescence readout is optically distinct

  • Alexa Fluor 488
  • Alexa Fluor 546
  • Alexa Fluor 647
  • Alexa Fluor 750

Colorimetric: up to 3-plex

Fast Red and Fast Blue substrates are also compatible with traditional TRITC/RFP and CY5.5/CY7 filter sets, respectively, for fluorescent readouts.

Up to 4-plex

  • Alexa Fluor 488
  • Alexa Fluor 546/594 (Type 1)
  • Alexa Fluor 647
  • Alexa Fluor 750
Instrumentation required
  • Hybridization oven
  • Fluorescence microscope/scanner
  • Hybridization oven
  • Brightfield or fluorescence microscope/scanner
  • Hybridization oven
  • Fluorescence microscope/scanner

ViewRNA ISH probe set types

Probe sets are required for ViewRNA Assays and must be purchased separately. Each probe set type is specific to the detection label and brightfield/fluorescence readout. For multiplexing experiments, it is critical to avoid using more than one of the same probe set type per sample. Use the following table to determine which probe set type is needed for your experiment.

Probe SetExpression level of target RNADetection LabelFluorescence Readout
1LowAlexa Fluor 546TRITC/RFP
4MediumAlexa Fluor 488FITC/GFP
6LowAlexa Fluor 647Deep Red/Cy5
10AbundantAlexa Fluor 750Near infrared/Cy7
Probe SetExpression level of target RNADetection LabelColorimetric ReadoutFluorescence readout
1LowFast RedRed colorTRITC/RFP
4LowDABBrown colorNot applicable
6LowFast BlueBlue colorCy5.5 or Cy7
Probe SetExpression level of target RNADetection LabelFluorescence readout
1LowAlexa Fluor 594Texas Red
1LowAlexa Fluor 546TRITC/RFP
4MediumAlexa Fluor 488FITC/GFP
6LowAlexa Fluor 647Deep Red/Cy5
10AbundantAlexa Fluor 750Near Infrared/Cy7
Probe SetExpression level of target RNADetection LabelFluorescence Readout
1LowAlexa Fluor 546TRITC/RFP
4MediumAlexa Fluor 488FITC/GFP
6LowAlexa Fluor 647Deep Red/Cy5
10AbundantAlexa Fluor 750Near infrared/Cy7
Probe SetExpression level of target RNADetection LabelColorimetric ReadoutFluorescence readout
1LowFast RedRed colorTRITC/RFP
4LowDABBrown colorNot applicable
6LowFast BlueBlue colorCy5.5 or Cy7
Probe SetExpression level of target RNADetection LabelFluorescence readout
1LowAlexa Fluor 594Texas Red
1LowAlexa Fluor 546TRITC/RFP
4MediumAlexa Fluor 488FITC/GFP
6LowAlexa Fluor 647Deep Red/Cy5
10AbundantAlexa Fluor 750Near Infrared/Cy7

ISH Colorimetric Tissue Assay Workflow

Infographic of ViewRNA ISH Tissue Assay Workflow

Figure 1A. ViewRNA ISH assay. The ViewRNA ISH Tissue Assay, based on branched-DNA signal amplification technology, can be used to measure three targets simultaneously and has the sensitivity and robustness to measure single mRNA molecules in single cells.
 

ISH Fluorescence Cell and Tissue Assay Workflow

ViewRNA Fluorescent Cell and Tissue Assay Workflow graphic

Figure 1B. ViewRNA FISH assay. The ViewRNA Fluorescence Assay, based on branched-DNA signal amplification technology, can be used to measure four targets simultaneously and has the sensitivity and robustness to measure single mRNA molecules in single cells.

ViewRNA ISH cell assays

ViewRNA ISH Cell and Cell Plus Assays offer:

  • Visualization of RNA (ISH Cell Assay) or simultaneous visualization of RNA and protein (Cell Plus Assay) through fluorescence in situ hybridization
  • Single mRNA molecule detection without RNA isolation, reverse transcription, or PCR amplification
  • Visualization of targets not easily localized using other technologies

Ordering ViewRNA ISH cell assays

Select ViewRNA ISH Cell Assay Kit
Select compatible probe sets

Search for available (in stock) probe sets

Custom branched DNA probe set tool

Not finding what you’re looking for? Order Custom Branched DNA Probe Sets for PrimeFlow, QuantiGene Singleplex, and ViewRNA Cell and Tissue assays using the custom ordering tool if your target of interest is not found in our web catalog.

Custom bDNA Probe Set Ordering Tool

Select ViewRNA cell assay controls

Positive controls: For ViewRNA Cell Assays, housekeeping genes such as ACTB, GAPD, PPIB or UBC probe sets are commonly used as positive controls. For micro-RNA experiments, probe set for Let7a works for many samples.

Negative controls: Negative controls should be used in every experiment to help ensure proper evaluation of specific versus non-specific binding. Samples with the target specific probe omitted or samples labeled with a probe against a target not expressed in cells of interest are highly recommended.

Search probes used for positive and negative controls in probe search tool for the species. Please note that ViewRNA probes are very specific, and a probe set for one species commonly does not detect targets in another species.

ViewRNA ISH tissue assays

ViewRNA ISH tissue assays offer:

  • Robust, single mRNA molecule detection in tissue sections
  • Accurate, specific, and simultaneous detection of up to four mRNA, micro-RNA, or other non-coding RNA
  • Direct, spatial visualization of RNA in complex tissue architectures while retaining tissue morphology
  • Eliminates unnecessary steps and biases associated with miRNA, RNA, or DNA purification, cDNA synthesis, and PCR amplification

Ordering ViewRNA ISH tissue assays

Select ViewRNA ISH Tissue Assay Kit
KitProbe set typesCat. No.Size
View RNA Tissue Core Kit1, 4, 6QVT040024 slides
ViewRNA Tissue Assay Fast Red Module1QVT041024 slides
ViewRNA Tissue Assay Fast Blue Module6QVT042024 slides

ViewRNA Tissue Assay DAB Module

4QVT043024 slides
For additional RNA multiplex ability, ViewRNA Tissue Assay Core Kit can be combined with ViewRNA Tissue Assay Modules
ViewRNA Fast Red 1‑Plex Kit1, 6QVT0410C24 slides
QVT4410C96 assays
ViewRNA Fast Blue 1‑Plex Kit1, 6QVT0420C24 slides
QVT4420C96 assays
ViewRNA DAB 1‑Plex Kit4QVT0430C24 slides
QVT4430C96 assays
ViewRNA Red‑Blue 2‑Plex Kit1, 6QVT0412C24 slides
QVT4412C96 assays
ViewRNA Red‑Brown 2‑Plex Kit1, 4, 6QVT0422C24 slides
QVT4422C96 assays
ViewRNA Blue‑Brown 2‑Plex Kit1, 4, 6QVT0433C24 slides
QVT4433C96 assays
KitProbe set typesCat. No.Size
ViewRNA Tissue Fluorescence 4-Plex Assay Core Kit, with (Alexa Fluor 488, Alexa Fluor 546, Alexa Fluor 647, Alexa Fluor 750)1,4,6,10QVT070024 slides
QVT470096 slides
ViewRNA Tissue Fluorescence 4-Plex Assay Core Kit, with (Alexa Fluor 488, Alexa Fluor 594, Alexa Fluor 647, Alexa Fluor 750)1,4,6,10QVT080024 slides
QVT480096 slides
ViewRNA Tissue Fluorescence 1-Plex Assay Core Kit, with Alexa Fluor 647 (Type 6) label probe6QVT0600C24 slides
QVT4600C96 slides
For additional RNA multiplex ability, ViewRNA Tissue Florescence modules can be combined with ViewRNA Tissue Fluorescence 1-Plex Assay Core Kit and with Alexa Fluor 647 (Type 6) label probe kit
ViewRNA Tissue Alexa Fluor 488 (Type 4) Module4QVT0688B24 slides
QVT4688B96 slides
ViewRNA Tissue Alexa Fluor 546 (Type 1) Module1QVT0646B24 slides
QVT4646B96 slides
ViewRNA Tissue Alexa Fluor 594 (Type 1) Module1QVT0694B24 slides
QVT4694B96 slides
ViewRNA Tissue Alexa Fluor 750 (Type 10) Module10QVT0640B24 slides
QVT4640B96 slides
Choose either ViewRNA Tissue Alexa Fluor 546 (Type 1) Module or ViewRNA Tissue Alexa Fluor 594 (type 1) Module. Both uses Type 1 probes and are not compatible with each other.
Select compatible probe sets

For colorimetric kits, please find probe sets using the “ViewRNA Cell” filter in the search tool below.

Search for available (in stock) probe sets

Custom branched DNA probe set tool

Not finding what you’re looking for? Order Custom Branched DNA Probe Sets for PrimeFlow, QuantiGene Singleplex, and ViewRNA Cell and Tissue assays using the custom ordering tool if your target of interest is not found in our web catalog.

Custom bDNA Probe Set Ordering Tool

Select ViewRNA tissue assay controls

Positive control probe sets should be used in every experiment to ensure proper performance. For ViewRNA Tissue Assays, one of the following kits can be used for a positive control:

ViewRNA Tissue Positive Control Kit (2-plex) (4 rat kidney slides + probes)
ViewRNA Tissue Positive Control Kit (1-plex) (4 rat kidney slides + probe)

Negative controls should be used in every experiment to help ensure proper evaluation of specific versus non-specific binding. Samples with the target specific probe omitted or samples labeled with a probe against a target not expressed in cells of interest are highly recommended.

Search probes used for positive and negative controls in probe search tool for the species. Please note that ViewRNA probes are very specific, and a probe set for one species commonly does not detect targets in another species.

ViewRNA ISH assay image gallery

Identification of breast cancer CTCs using the ViewRNA ISH Cell Assay

Figure 1. Identification of breast cancer CTCs from human bone marrow using the ViewRNA ISH Cell Assay. A putative breast cancer tumor cell from a bone marrow sample was fixed and analyzed using the ViewRNA ISH Cell Assay for ERBB2 (green), pan-keratin panel (cytokeratin 8, 18, and 19) (yellow), and BACT (purple). The technology was used to identify the only two such CTCs on the slide. Data courtesy of Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway.

HeLa

Visualization and quantitation of transcript heterogeneity in cell lines using the ViewRNA ISH Cell Assay

SKBR3

Visualization and quantitation of transcript heterogeneity in cell lines using the ViewRNA ISH Cell Assay

Figure 2. Visualization and quantitation of transcript heterogeneity in cell lines using the ViewRNA ISH Cell Assay. Multiplex analysis of Her2 mRNA (green) and control 18S rRNA (red) in HeLa cells and SKBR3 cells. Nuclei were stained with DAPI (blue) and visualized by fluorescence microscopy.
 

Time course of gene expression at the single-cell level using the ViewRNA ISH Cell Assay

Figure 3. Time course of gene expression after cytokine induction, at the single-cell level using the ViewRNA ISH Cell Assay. HeLa cells were treated with PMA for 0–8 hours. Then the cells were fixed and analyzed using the ViewRNA ISH Cell Assay for induction of IL-6 (red) and IL-8 expression (green). Nuclei were stained with DAPI (blue). The results show post-induction peaks at 1–2 hours for IL-6 and 4 hours for IL-8. Furthermore, the assay reveals the heterogeneity of individual cell responses.

Detection of H1N1 influenza A RNA in cells using the ViewRNA ISH Cell Assay

Figure 4. Detection of H1N1 Influenza A RNA migration in cells using the ViewRNA ISH Cell Assay. Nuclear translocation of viral RNA is necessary for replication of the influenza virus. Murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were incubated on ice with influenza A virus (H1N1, PR8 strain). At time 0, virus was removed and medium (warmed to 37°C) was added. At the indicated time points after warming, the cells were fixed and processed using the ViewRNA ISH Cell Assay Kit with a probe set against the nucleoprotein (NP) viral genomic segment (green). Nuclei are stained blue with DAPI. Time dependent nuclear translocation of the NP genome is seen at 90 min post-infection, and by 180 min the export of newly synthesized viral genomes from the nuclei to the cytosol is also observed. Data courtesy of Dr. Abraham L Brass, Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard.

Multiplexing of viral RNA and mRNA in Huh7 cells using View RNA Assays

Figure 5. Multiplexing of viral RNA and mRNA in Huh7 cells. Multiplex fluorescence in situ detection of HCV genomic viral RNA (green) and 18S rRNA (red) in Huh7 cells lacking (–HCV) or containing (+HCV) a hepatitis C virus (HCV) replicon. Nuclei are stained with DAPI (blue).

Multiplex analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression levels using the ViewRNA Cell Assay.

Figure 6. Multiplex analysis of miRNA and mRNA of various expression levels using the ViewRNA Cell Assay. Simultaneous detection of miRNA (Fast Red substrate, Cy3/550 channel) and mRNA (in FITC channel or in Cy7 channel) expression in any given cell. Shown are duplex assays showing expression of different miRNA and mRNA targets in HeLa cells. HPRT, ACTB, and PPIB were detected in the FITC channel, and GAPD was detected in the Cy7 channel. Based on known expression levels, the data confirm accurate and precise study and visualization of miRNA and mRNA of various expression levels, where one distinct spot corresponds to one molecule of an miRNA or mRNA target.

Compound dose-response profiling

Visualization and quantitation of cultured cells using the ViewRNA Cell Assay for high-content screening

Figure 7. Visualization and quantitation of induction in cultured cells using the ViewRNA Cell Assay for high-content screening. HeLa cells were cultured in a 384-well clear bottom plate and treated with various concentrations of PMA. Following a 4-hour PMA treatment, cells were fixed and analyzed for IL-8 expression (green). Nuclei were stained with DAPI (blue).

Compound screening with multiple markers

Multiplex analysis of compound screens using the ViewRNA Cell Assay for high-content screening

Figure 8. Multiplex analysis of compound screens using the ViewRNA Cell Assay for high-content screening. Individual images show nuclei and RNA targets: gene 1, gene 2, and gene 3. The merged image shows simultaneous detection of the three RNA targets. Nuclei were stained with DAPI (blue). Data courtesy of Dr. Dan Garza, Proteostasis, Inc.

Additional products and services

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

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