Bill Stahl on Immunocytochemistry
I have been using immunocytochemical techniques in my research for over thirty years.
I sometimes get asked what is immunocytochemistry and what do you do with it? Immunocytochemistry is the process of localizing antigens in biological tissues and cells using target specific antibodies. More formally immunohistochemistry refers to the process as applied to tissues and immunocytochemistry refers to localization in cells but the terms are often used interchangeably. The most typical sites identified by immunocytochemistry are proteins, but lipids and other cellular constituents can also be localized both by light, fluorescence and electron microscopy. Applications extend from research in cell biology to localization of specific markers in specimens sent to the pathology lab to support clinical diagnoses
Almost all biologists utilize ICC in their work.
It’s an extremely useful scientific method for research but it can be misunderstood in its implementation and interpretation. It’s easy to purchase a commercial kit to carry out an immunocytochemistry application but a basic understanding of underlying principles and potential problems is essential if you want to be successful in your use of ICC. It also helps to get your papers published and your research grants funded.