#5: In Situ Hybridization
In the previous segments of the IHC Educational Series, immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase methods were discussed. In both of these methods, antibodies are used to bind to and localize protein antigens …
Histology Applications
#4: Antibodies
In the previous units of this series, the immunohistochemical (IHC) methods of immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase were described and discussed. These methods use antibodies to localize cellular proteins in tissue sections, …
#3: Immunoperoxidase
In the previous segment, immunofluorescence methods were discussed. These methods use antibodies labelled with fluorescein to directly localize cellular proteins in tissue sections, which can then be visualized in a …
#2 Immunofluorescence
Before we discuss immunofluorescence, we need to know what fluorescence is. There are certain substances, composed of molecules that will emit light when irradiated by a short wavelength, such as …
#1 Introduction to Immunohistochemistry
Anthony van Leeuwenhoek is credited with being the first person to use a microscope to view tiny “animacules” in 1674. At approximately the same time, Robert Hooke used a similar …
#7 Tissue Processing Artifacts
The most noticeable tissue processing artifacts are the wrinkles and tears in the tissue sections which are evident even at low power (Figure 1). Incomplete fixation would not cause such …
#6 Understanding Tissue Processor Procedures
Tissue Processing Standard tissue processing may be carried out on any number of open and closed tissue processors, although closed processors are preferred due to safety concerns, both for the …
#5 Troubleshooting in the Histology Laboratory
The first four blogs of the troubleshooting series focused on being proactive with regard to the prevention of sub-optimal events in the histology laboratory. Unfortunately, we are not able to …
#4 Alternative Methods for Preparing and Embedding Specimens
Some specimens may be very tiny; on the order of less than 0.1 cm. Some preparation methods employ the use of mesh cassettes, “tea bag” biopsy pouches, sponges, wrapping paper, …
#3 Specimen Identification & Optimal Embedding
No matter what type of histology laboratory you work in – hospital, research, reference, teaching facility – there will be times when you receive specimens that you do not normally …
