We just need some pictures – easy right? Considerations for planning an immunohistochemical project

Abstract

As a pathologist at a university hospital, I am often asked by colleagues doing research to lend my expertise in immunohistochemistry and in evaluating histological sections. After more than 10 years of experience and many such encounters, I wrote a lecture entitled, “We just need some pictures – easy, right? – the role of immunohistochemistry in research projects.” I give this lecture regularly for a multiple staining course in the Netherlands. I made some changes to the lecture when I was invited to speak at the National Histochemical Society meeting in September 2008. This is a summary of that talk.

Key words::

• animal models
• antibody-mediated procedures
• human tissues
• histomorphology
• immunohistochemistry

Acknowledgments

I thank all the colleagues who involved me in their projects that broadened my scientific horizon and showed me the fascination of working with others on projects. I also thank Carole Cuerten for helping with the preparation of this manuscript.