Immunocytochemical strategies for electron microscopy: choice or compromise

• Published in: Journal of microscopy (Oxford) Vol. 199; no. 1; pp. 1 - 36
• Main Author: Skepper, J. N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01-07-2000
• Subjects: Acrylic resin; Animals; colloidal gold; cryo‐immobilization; epoxy resin; freeze‐drying; freeze‐substitution; immunocytochemistry; immunogold‐labelling; Immunohistochemistry - methods; low temperature embedding; Microscopy, Electron - methods; Tissue Embedding - methods; Tissue Fixation - methods; transmission electron microscopy; ultrathin thawed cryo‐sections
• ISSN: 0022-2720; 1365-2818
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2818.2000.00704.x

This review attempts to describe the major immunocytochemical strategies that are in current use for transmission electron microscopy. Emphasis is placed on suggesting the most appropriate application of each technique that is described. The review is not intended to identify the microscopist's ‘cure all’ technique for immunocytochemistry but rather to describe what techniques are available and what are their relative merits. Expensive equipment and technically complicated methods are not always necessary to collect robust data. I hope to present a review that will enable its readers to select the most profitable technique (or compromise) available, to reflect both their resources and their ability to address their biological questions with vigour.