This much anticipated second edition provides a user-friendly, up-to-date handbook of reliable immunochemical techniques optimized for molecular biologists. It covers the breadth of relevant established methods from protein blotting and immunoassays through to visualization of cellular antigens and in situ hybridization, each with their latest refinements. Protocols for the production and purification of important classes of immunochemical reagents are also provided, including "conventional" and recombinant antibodies, fusion proteins and their various conjugates. This book will open the door to a new generation of immunochemical reagents with exciting possibilities.

The book appeared in two previous Slovak editions for university students in Czechoslovakia. This edition presents a completely new version updated according to recent advances not only in immunochemistry and essential immunology but also in molecular biology, biochemistry and molecular genetics. The scope of the book is considerable since the goal was to cover the field of immunochemistry from the widest point of view including both the topic and methods of contemporary immunochemistry. Each chapter provides basic information on a specific subtopic, clearly and understandab ly, and presents principles of individual immunochemical methods. I am confident that the book will fill the gap between the books on essential immunology and highly specialised books on individual areas of immunoche mistry (e. g. on antibodies, antigens, numerous immunochemical techniques, etc. ). It may also prove useful for beginning investigators from different biological and medical fields as it supplies basic information needed for solving their scientific problems by immunochemical approaches. I do hope that readers will find the text stimulatory and pleasury to read. I wish to thank all colleagues and friends for supplying their own results, suggestions and for their encouraging comments. My thanks go also to the editors and publishers for their valuable contribution to the preparation of the book. 1 Introduction The term immunochemistry was coined by the Swedish chemist ARRHENIUS who used it for the first time in his lectures in 1907.

Colorectal Cancer Screening provides a complete overview of colorectal cancer screening, from epidemiology and molecular abnormalities, to the latest screening techniques such as stool DNA and FIT, Computerized Tomography (CT) Colonography, High Definition Colonoscopes and Narrow Band Imaging. As the text is devoted entirely to CRC screening, it features many facts, principles, guidelines and figures related to screening in an easy access format. This volume provides a complete guide to colorectal cancer screening which will be informative to the subspecialist as well as the primary care practitioner. It represents the only text that provides this up to date information about a subject that is continually changing. For the primary practitioner, information on the guidelines for screening as well as increasing patient participation is presentedd. For the subspecialist, information regarding the latest imaging techniques as well as flat adenomas and chromoendoscopy are covered. The section on the molecular changes in CRC will appeal to both groups. The text includes up to date information about colorectal screening that encompasses the entire spectrum of the topic and features photographs of polyps as well as diagrams of the morphology of polyps as well as photographs of CT colonography images. Algorithms are presented for all the suggested guidelines. Chapters are devoted to patient participation in screening and risk factors as well as new imaging technology. This useful volume explains the rationale behind screening for CRC. In addition, it covers the different screening options as well as the performance characteristics, when available in the literature, for each test. This volume will be used by the sub specialists who perform screening tests as well as primary care practitioners who refer patients to be screened for colorectal cancer.

This volume highlights advances in immunochemical techniques and their impact on basic research and clinical medicine. It combines the forces of experts in a wide range of subspecialties to cover a wealth of information.

Immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry are invaluable tools for the visualization of tissue and cellular antigens in diagnostic and biological research environments. The need to obtain accurate, reliable and reproducible results is paramount. It is with this fundamental aim in mind that we have compiled Immunohistochemistry: Essential Methods. We have achieved this by examining each aspect of immunochemistry in turn, with each chapter including detailed information regarding the subject matter in question. Each chapter is written by an expert in their field and includes protocols that are typically used in their own research. Subjects covered are, amongst others, antibodies and their production; selection of reporter labels; immunochemical staining methods and experimental design (both using single and multiple reporter labels); quality assurance; automated immunochemistry; confocal microscopy and electron microscopy. In addition, benefits and limitations of each approach are discussed within the chapters.

Immunochemical techniques have been in use for many years with early examples of bacterial strain typing dating back to the 1940s. The basis for the science is the exquisite elegance of the mammalian immune system with its ability to recognize foreign proteins and to manufacture antibody m- ecules that strongly bind to the substances that elicited them. Not only are potentially harmful pathogens and toxins recognized by the immune system, but the system can be persuaded to manufacture antibodies to an astonishing array of substances. In the early days of this science, all antibodies for investigative work were produced by immunizing mammals with the substance of interest, followed by regular donor bleeds that yielded antisera. Serum produced in this way yields heterogenic populations of antibody molecules recognizing different epitopes on the target protein, which may be adequate for its intended p- poses, but can also cause problems of crossreactivity. In 1975, Kohler and Milstein reported that spleen cells from immune donor animals could be immortalized, cloned from single cells, and grown in continuous culture. This original work described the method for the production of monoclonal antibodies.

Uniquely integrates the theory and practice of key experimental techniques for bioscience undergraduates. Now includes drug discovery and clinical biochemistry.