Introduction to Immunocytochemistry

Antibodies tagged with fluorescent markers have been used in histochemistry for over 50 years. Although early applications were focused on the detection of microbial antigens in tissues, the use of immunocytochemical methods now has spread to include the detection of a wide array of antigens including proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids from virtually any organism.

Today, immunohistochemistry is widely used to identify, in situ, various components of cells and tissues in both normal and pathological conditions. The method gains its strength from the extremely sensitive interaction of a specific antibody with its antigen.

Historical Context and Book Significance

For some scientific areas, books have been published on applications of immunocytochemical techniques specific to that area. What distinguished Immunocytochemical Methods and Protocols from earlier books when it was first published was its broad appeal to investigators across all disciplines, including those in both research and clinical settings.

The methods and protocols presented in the first edition were designed to be general in their application; the accompanying “Notes” provided the reader with invaluable assistance in adapting or troubleshooting the protocols. These strengths continued to hold true for the second edition and again for the third edition.

Recent Developments and Applications

Since the publication of the first edition, the application of immunocytochemical techniques in the clinical laboratory has continued to rise, and this third edition provides methods that are applicable to basic research as well as to the clinical laboratory.