Electron microscopy in the biological sciences can be divided into two disciplines. The first, concerned with high resolution detail of particles or periodic structures, is mostly based on sound theoretical principles of physics. The second, by far the larger discipline, is interested in the information obtainable from thin sections. The theoretical back ground to those groups of techniques for preparing and looking at thin sections is often inexact and "loose", for want of a better word. What should be chemistry is often closer to alchemy. This kind of electron microscopy is often enshrined with mystical recipes, handed down from generation to generation. Admittedly, many of the processes involved, such as those required to embed tissue in epoxy resins, involve multiple interconnected steps, which make it difficult to follow the details of anyone of these steps. If all these steps are shrouded in some mystery, however, can one really trust the final image that emerges on the EM screen? When we present the data in some semi quantitative form is there really no better way to do it than to categorize the parameters with ++, +/-, etc? What happens when one labels the sections with antibodies? Does the whole business necess arily need to be more of an "art" than a "science"? Upon reflecting on these problems in 1981, I had the impression that many of the multi-authored textbooks that existed then (and that have appeared since) tended to exacerbate or at least perpetuate this

Immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization are widely used biomedical sciences. They are essential in medical diagnosis and in cell biology research. Affinity labeling is the central goal of the experimental strategy involving a series of techniques in a logical order; from the effects of specimen fixation, through specimen preparation to expose the antigen, to optimizing immunolabeling, to assessing the result and finally to safety considerations. Numerous examples of these techniques in biomedical sciences are included, as well as experimental assays and practical tips. This survey of methods will serve as an invaluable reference source in any laboratory setting (academic, industrial or clinical) involved in research in almost every branch of biology or medicine, as well as in pharmaceutical, biotechnological and clinical applications.

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.

During the second half of the 20th century, the introduction of a variety of new techniques greatly expanded our knowledge of the structure of nerve and neuroglial cells and of the organization of the nervous system at the cellular level. This new information has, however, generally been scattered throughout the literature, making it difficult for investigators to gain an overall vision of the discipline. The author has marshalled these scattered data to provide a systematic overview of the field placed within a historical context. He has correlated the major new findings with the classical notions of light microscopy and has integrated them with elements of biochemistry and cell physiology. After the publication of the first edition, the introduction of new microscopies and especially the growth of molecular biology have greatly expanded our knowledge, in particular on the intercellular communication in the nervous system and on the roles of neuroglial cells. These achievements have made a second edition of the book necessary. The fully revised and updated text, together with unique high-quality illustrations of structures of the central and peripheral nervous system, ensure that this new edition will be invaluable for neuroscientists, particularly those involved in cellular neuropathology, neurochemistry, neurophysiology and molecular neurobiology.