Publisher's Synopsis
The use of immunocytochemical methods, introduced in the 1950s, has gradually expanded. They are now among the most widely used means of identifying tissue constituents, whether in biological research or for pathological diagnosis. The technique exploits the highly specific reaction between antigen and antibody, by using labelled immune reagents to localize antigens in situ .;Ways of preparing tissues for the different methods and according to the antigen to be localized are discussed. The most common methods are described in detail with explanatory diagrams and photomicrographs. More complicated methods are touched on, with a full reference list being provided. Sources of error and non-specificity are pointed out. One chapter deals with recording results photographically.;An appendix contains step-by-step practical instructions for many of the basic techniques at light and electron microscopical levels. A newcomer to the field will find enough information to understand the principles of the subject and to be able to produce acceptable results.;For this revised edition, the authors have updated the text in the light of the latest developments, and added 20 new references to the literature and a new colour illustration.
