Abstract
This volume is the second in the CRC Press book series entitled Advances in Pathology, Microscopy and Molecular Morphology. The editors define molecular morphology as “a field of microscopy, histology and cytology that has emerged from the combination and adaptation of techniques formerly developed for immunology, biochemistry, and molecular biology.”
The editors stated intent is that this volume will serve as a valuable reference in molecular morphology, that it will provide a “cookbook” approach to the techniques, that it will be of use to experienced and inexperienced users, and that it be used in laboratories for many years to come. It seems likely that most of these expectations will be met.
Each chapter of the book is dedicated to a specific topic or technique in molecular morphology, central to which is a discussion around the details and best practices in which the technique under discussion is executed. Examples of chapter subjects are: multiple peptide staining by immunohistochemistry, tyramide signal amplification, southwestern immunohistochemistry and whole mount in situ hybridization. Chapters are authored by individuals considered by the editors to be experts. Unlike the journal articles from which we have all copied specific methodologies, it is the intent of the editors that the expert authors reveal all their secrets and tips crucial to successful execution of the techniques. Each of the 18 chapters is laid out in a fairly consistent pattern. There is an introduction of the general topic at hand followed by detailed, step-by-step protocols, expected results, and a section containing tips, technical hints, and further discussion. Each chapter is concluded with a complete and up-to-date bibliography, which is in itself a valuable source of primary information.
As is always the case with a volume containing multiple authors, Molecular Morphology in Human Tissues contains inconsistencies in the quality of writing and figures provided, level of detail, and explanatory approach. The spectrum of techniques addressed is relatively broad but not complete. Some chapters are focused on identification of specific antigens of interest to the author, but the general techniques addressed do have broader applicability.
Presentation of figures is approached in a curious manner. Black and white figures with legends are provided in the chapter to which they pertain, while a centralized set of color plates, without legends, is incorporated into the center of the volume. This approach presumably provides cost savings to the publisher, but is of questionable value to the reader. This reviewer would have appreciated many more line figures to support the complicated textual explanations that appear prior to the step-by-step protocols in some chapters. Immunohistochemical and other molecular morphologic techniques commonly employ sequential application of various reagents, and the tricks required to work around common challenges are often based on selection of similar, but subtly different reagents.
Individuals looking for a general reference providing insight and understanding into the broad topic of molecular morphology would be disappointed in the lack of an overarching hierarchical approach to describing this field. Overall this is a useful, detailed text for those experimental and investigative pathologists who find need for a current reference addressing techniques in molecular morphology. At $149.95 it seems a good bargain for the practical information provided.