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Immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry are invaluable tools for the visualization of tissue and cellular antigens in diagnostic and biological research environments. The need to obtain accurate, reliable and reproducible results is paramount.It is with this fundamental aim in mind that we have compiled Immunohistochemistry: Essential Methods. We have achieved this by examining each aspect of immunochemistry in turn, with each chapter including detailed information regarding the subject matter in question. Each chapter is written by an expert in their field and includes protocols that are typically used in their own research. Subjects covered are, amongst others, antibodies and their production; selection of reporter labels; immunochemical staining methods and experimental design (both using single and multiple reporter labels); quality assurance; automated immunochemistry; confocal microscopy and electron microscopy. In addition, benefits and limitations of each approach are discussed within the chapters.

The various cell types have traditionally been recognized and classified according to their appearance in the light microscope following the process of fixing, processing, sectioning, and staining tissues that is known as histology. Classical histology has been augmented by immunohistochemistry (the use of specific antibodies to stain particular molecular species in situ). Immunohistochemistry has allowed the identification of many more cell types than could be visualized by classical histology, particularly in the immune system and among the scattered hormone-secreting cells of the endocrine system. Handbook of Immunohistochemistry and in Situ Hybridization of Human Carcinomas discusses all aspects of immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization technologies and the important role they play in reaching a cancer diagnosis. It provides step-by-step instructions on the methods of additional molecular technologies such as DNA microarrays, and microdissection, along with the benefits and limitations of each method. The topics of region-specific gene expression, its role in cancer development and the techniques that assist in the understanding of the molecular basis of disease are relevant and necessary in science today, ensuring a wide audience for this book. The only book available that translates molecular genetics into cancer diagnosis Provides the readers with tools necessary to perform and optimize sensitive, powerful techniques, including immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization, used in tumor diagnosis Written by experts in this field, the book provides theoretical considerations as well as practical approaches to carry out effectively these techniques Offers suggestions, tips, cautions, and guidelines to avoid artifacts and misdiagnosis Introduces new techniques to detect genes and proteins involved in the initiation and progression of cancer Covers the latest developments and a wide range of applications to the detection of antigens and single-copy DNA and RNA Written in a uniform format, each chapter includes Introduction, Materials required, step-by-step detailed Methods, Results, Discussion, and comprehensive up-to-date References

Immunohistochemistry is the use of specific antibodies to stain particular molecular species in situ. This technique has allowed the identification of many more cell types than could be visualized by classical histology, particularly in the immune system and among the scattered hormone-secreting cells of the endocrine system, and has the potential to improve diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic options of cancer. Handbook of Immunohistochemistry and in Situ Hybridization of Human Carcinomas discusses all aspects of immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization technologies and the important role they play in reaching a cancer diagnosis. It provides step-by-step instructions on the methods of additional molecular technologies such as DNA microarrays, and microdissection, along with the benefits and limitations of each method. The topics of region-specific gene expression, its role in cancer development and the techniques that assist in the understanding of the molecular basis of disease are relevant and necessary in science today. This book is the second volume of three planned, individually-sold volumes on this topic. Like Volume 1, this book fully explains the principles and applications of modern techniques used in the field of molecular genetics. It will be of particular interest to pathologists and molecular pathologists conducting both academic and/or clinical research. The only book available that translates molecular genetics into cancer diagnosis The results of each Immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization method are presented in the form of color illustrations Methods discussed were either developed or refined by expert contributors in their own laboratories

The past several decades have witnessed an impressive array of conceptual and techno­ logical advances in the biomedical sciences. Much of the progress in this area has developed directly as a result of new morphology-based methods that have permitted the assessment of chemical, enzymatic, immunological, and molecular parameters at the cellular and tissue levels. Additional novel approaches including laser capture microdissection have also emerged for the acquisition of homogeneous cell popula­ tions for molecular analyses. These methodologies have literally reshaped the approaches to fundamental biological questions and have also had a major impact in the area of diagnostic pathology. Much of the groundwork for the development of morphological methods was estab­ th lished in the early part of the 19 century by Francois-Vincent Raspail, generally acknowledged as the founder of the science of histochemistry. The earliest work in the field was primarily in the hands of botanists and many of the approaches to the under­ standing of the chemical composition of cells and tissues involved techniques such as microincineration, which destroyed structural integrity. The development of aniline th dyes in the early 20 century served as a major impetus to studies of the structural rather than chemical composition of tissue. Later in the century, however, the focus returned to the identification of chemical constituents in the context of intact cell and tissue structure.