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History of Immunohistochemistry

December 20th, 2007 by Mylo

Immunohistochemistry is a molecular technique that combines principles from both immunology and biochemistry techniques and principles to the study of histology and pathology by revealing molecules and patterns within cells and tissues.

The first to describe immunohistochemistry was Dr. Coons. The original immunohistochemistry method consisted of an antibody tagged with a fluorescent probe which was developed in rabbits, which was mixed with tissue sections and searched for, under a fluorescent microscope following a period of incubation. Since, numerous advancements and improvements have been done, to make the technique of immunohistochemistry fairly inexpensive and indispensable in both pathology departments and molecular laboratory benches worldwide.

Numerous different procedures are available, however the most commonly used are the peroxidase-antiperoxidase immune complex method and more so, the biotin-avidin immunoenzymatic technique.