Human chromosome 6 has been subdivided by chromosome microdissection into 14 unique regions. Following microdissection, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of dissected DNA was performed using a universal primer to generate subregion-specific probes that provided complete coverage of chromosome 6. All 16 microdissections have been regionally assigned along chromosome 6 by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using biotin-labeled dissected DNA hybridized to G-banded normal metaphase chromosomes. These probes can be used as region-specific paints to generate unique "bar codes" and for analysis of chromosome alterations involving chromosome 6 that are unidentifiable by conventional banding analysis.