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For the first time, fixation, resin embedding and immunocytochemistry, the subjects of innumerable publications, have been organised into a comprehensive and coherent scheme showing how the various methodologies interrelate. Commercially available resins and their mode of use are described, and the book considers the advantages for cytochemistry and immunocytochemistry of matching tissue fixation to processing and resin embedding. On-section single and double immunolabelling methods are covered, using immunocolloidal gold and immunoperoxidase.

Since antibodies tagged with markers have been developed, immunocytochemistry has become the method of choice for identifying tissue substances or for the localisation of nucleic acid in tissue by in situ hybridisation. Resin-embedded tissue is routinely used and new techniques are constantly introduced. Thus, the novice entering these fields has a breathtaking variety of methods open to him. This labmanual covers the embedding of tissue using epoxy resin methods to the more sensitive procedures employing the acrylics. The possibilities and results are discussed so that an understanding of the techniques can be acquired and appropriate choices made. The various resins available and all steps involved in tissue processing, beginning with fixation, as well as the great variety of labelling methods and markers that are commonly used for'on-section'cytochemistry and immunocytochemistry are described, including detailed protocols for the application.