Immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization are widely used biomedicalsciences. They are essential in medical diagnosis and in cell biologyresearch. Affinity labeling is the central goal of the experimentalstrategy involving a series of techniques in a logical order; from theeffects of specimen fixation, through specimen preparation to expose theantigen, to optimizing immunolabeling, to assessing the result andfinally to safety considerations. Numerous examples of these techniquesin biomedical sciences are included, as well as experimental assays andpractical tips. This survey of methods will serve as an invaluablereference source in any laboratory setting (academic, industrial orclinical) involved in research in almost every branch of biology ormedicine, as well as in pharmaceutical, biotechnological and clinicalapplications.Immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization are widely used biomedicalsciences. They are essential in medical diagnosis and in cell biologyresearch. Affinity labeling is the central goal of the experimentalstrategy involving a series of techniques in a logical order; from theeffects of specimen fixation, through specimen preparation to expose theantigen, to optimizing immunolabeling, to assessing the result andfinally to safety considerations. Numerous examples of these techniquesin biomedical sciences are included, as well as experimental assays andpractical tips. This survey of methods will serve as an invaluablereference source in any laboratory setting (academic, industrial orclinical) involved in research in almost every branch of biology ormedicine, as well as in pharmaceutical, biotechnological and clinicalapplications.1 Introduction.- 2 Preservation of Tissue for Immunocytochemical Studies.- 3 Specimen Preparation for Immunocytochemistry.- 4 Antigen Retrieval.- 5 Immunolabeling.- 6 In Situ Hybridization: General Principles and Application of Digoxigenin-Labeled cRNA for the Detection of mRNAs.- 7 Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization.-lãž