Expanded histology methods book covers processing of animal, plant, and microbial tissues

COLD SPRING HARBOR, N.Y. – For more than 25 years, the book Histological and Histochemical Methods has served as an established resource for researchers, students, and technologists in the biological and biomedical sciences who need to process normal or diseased tissues for microscopic analysis. A new edition, just released by Scion Publishing (www.scionpublishing.com), will remain as the leading source of guidance on the chemical, physical, and biological principles of fixation, staining, and histochemistry.

Now in its fourth edition, Histological and Histochemical Methods includes not only methods for processing animal tissues but also for microorganisms and plant tissues. It has been expanded and thoroughly updated with methods for fixing, staining, and processing tissues using the latest reagents and techniques available, while retaining the classic techniques still in use.

Importantly, Histological and Histochemical Methods includes not only step-by-step protocols but also explanations of theory, which enables the reader to better understand the reasoning behind each step and to make informed troubleshooting decisions when necessary. Throughout the text, the relations of chemical structures and reactions to fixation, tissue processing, staining, enzyme location, immunohistochemistry, and other procedures are explained in simple, descriptive terms.

“This is to encourage an intelligent approach to microtechnique,” writes the author, John A. Kiernan, in the Preface to the new edition. “Adaptations and adjustments [to protocols] are often necessary, and are likely to be successful when they are justified by knowledge and understanding.”