Edited by J. A. Kiernan and I. Mason. Portland Press, UK, 2002.
ISBN 1-85578-141-7
Reviewed by: Prof. Andrzej S. Tarnawski and Dr Woo Sung Moon, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
Published in Microscopy & Analysis, May 2003
This is an exceptionally well-written book, filled with a wealth of information. Molecular biologists working in field of life sciences often lack the training and experience with morphologic techniques. However, it is frequently necessary for molecular biologists to look closely and identify the cells within the tissue with which they work and to determine localization of specific protein(s) to specific type of cells.
This book, which is divided into 14 chapters informative and practical, can be read easily. The first part of the book provides a guideline for instrumentation: how to use properly different type of microscopes, and how to obtain images. It also includes general principles of microscopy, digital and confocal photomicrography, and three-dimensional microscopy. The second part describes preparative techniques, including methods for freezing and fixation, tissue processing and sectioning, instruction for staining, and histochemical staining for extracellular matrix. It also covers, how to examine living cells. The third part deals with the practical methods, including immunohistochemistry, enzyme histochemistry, detection of cell division and cell death, and in situ hybridization. This part is a very useful and timely overview of morphologic methods currently used or under investigation in the molecular biology field. This part is of special value for all investigators using immunohistochemistry or in situ hybridization, because, it present the basic information and troubleshooting.
Most of the chapters contain materials and procedures of histologic techniques and are well organized. Most chapters contain at least one to several well-organized tables, and figures that are extremely useful. Perhaps, because of space limitation, illustrations are not as numerous as one would hope. In some chapters the information presented is not sufficient enough and some of topics of great interest to morphologists are not included. However, one must remember that this book was written to serve as an introductory and basic information covering the practical application of morphologic techniques in biological research field. Appropriately, both the content and the tone are didactic rather than encyclopaedic. The text is clearly and concisely written.
We strongly recommend this book as a valuable reference for molecular biologists or biochemists interested in learning about the broad application of histology and microscopy. Even experienced microscopists will find useful, and practical information.