Post-hybridization washing after ISH will reduce non-specific signal by removing probes that are lightly bound to off-target sequences. Most frequently, SSC-based buffers are used for this purpose. Sodium ions help to stabilize hybrid-formation by decreasing the electrostatic repulsion of the two single strands. The pH can be adjusted for stringency, with low stringency at low pH and high stringency at high pH. Common pH range is pH 5-9 with 0.1x-2xSSC. Including detergents such as Tween-20 helps reducing non-specific binding of non-nucleic acid targets.

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