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.

I: Resin Embedding

1 The Strategic Approach
2 The Resins
3 Resin Embedding Protocols for Chemically Fixed Tissue
4 Cryotechniques
5 Methods for Resin Polymerisation
6 Handling Resin Blocks
II: On-Section Immunolabelling
7 Strategies in Immunolabelling
8 General Considerations
9 Immunolabelling Protocols for Resin Sections
10 Resin Embedding and Immunolabelling
Appendix I Examples of Typical Resin Embedding Regimes for Immunocytochemistry
I.1 Solid Tissue, Pellets and Agar Blocks - Immersion Fixation
I.2 Solid Tissue - Light Perfusion Fixation
I.3 Solid Tissue - Very Light Perfusion Fixation
I.4 Cryosubstitution
I.5 Project Planner
Appendix II List of Suppliers
EM General
EM Apparatus
Electron Microscopes
Flow Cytometry
References.