Genetics glossary
What is immunohistochemistry?
immunohistochemistry — The use of antibodies or antisera as histological tools for identifying patterns of antigen distribution within a tissue or an organism. An antibody (or mixture of antibodies) that binds to a specific protein or other antigen is tagged with a fluorescent chemical or an enzyme that can convert a substrate to a visible dye. The tagged antibody is incubated with the tissue and after washing unbound…
The use of antibodies or antisera as histological tools for identifying patterns of antigen distribution within a tissue or an organism. An antibody (or mixture of antibodies) that binds to a specific protein or other antigen is tagged with a fluorescent chemical or an enzyme that can convert a substrate to a visible dye. The tagged antibody is incubated with the tissue and after washing unbound antibody away the bound antibody distribution is revealed by fluorescence microscopy or incubation with a chromogenic substrate. It is assumed that antibody distribution reflects antigen distribution.