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Molecular probes in histochemistry and cytochemistry
Acta histochem. 100, 337 (1998) © Gustav Fischer Verlag
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Editorial Molecular probes in histochemistry and cytochemistry Cornelis 1. F. Van Noorden Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Meibergdreef 15,1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Probes that can be applied as signalling molecules for localisation and quantification of structural and functional components in biological specimens are necessary to continue growth in our understanding how cells and tissues function and dysfunction. Aspects such as sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility are essential parameters and new probes that are being developed have to be better than existing probes in one or more of these aspects. Histochemistry and cytochemistry have always been major disciplines in which these probes were developed and applied. These days, molecular probes are also used in more biochemically oriented (micro)assays but fluorophores and chromophores are still in the heart of the former disciplines. Furthermore, cytochemistry and histochemistry of living cells and tissues are new and promising frontiers and new, sensitive and quantifiable molecular probes are essential for progress in these directions. It was decided to give the readers of Acta histochemica an update of what is going on at the moment in companies and institutes that are involved in the development of probes for the 21st century. A meeting was held in San Diego, CA, USA, on 4 and 5 May 1998 on 'Advances in Molecular Labels' where the latest progress and future directions were discussed. The meeting was essentially focussed on clinical diagnostics and drugs research, but the tools apply just as much to histochemistry and cytochemistry. Therefore, a report of that meeting is reprinted in this issue of Acta histochemica. It was written by Dr. 1. C. Owicki, Sunnyvale, CA, USA. The report of Dr. Owicki deals with fascinating rapid developments in the field and especially the aspect of sensitivity of probes receives attention. Also, entirely new compounds are introduced. The report was originally written for Investigational Drugs Weekly Highlights, an on-line weekly that publishes news in the field of drug development in a rapid manner. Details about this on-line journal are given at the end of the report of Dr. Owicki.
A~la laisl.~.iQ
Editorial Molecular probes in histochemistry and cytochemistry Cornelis 1. F. Van Noorden Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Meibergdreef 15,1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Probes that can be applied as signalling molecules for localisation and quantification of structural and functional components in biological specimens are necessary to continue growth in our understanding how cells and tissues function and dysfunction. Aspects such as sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility are essential parameters and new probes that are being developed have to be better than existing probes in one or more of these aspects. Histochemistry and cytochemistry have always been major disciplines in which these probes were developed and applied. These days, molecular probes are also used in more biochemically oriented (micro)assays but fluorophores and chromophores are still in the heart of the former disciplines. Furthermore, cytochemistry and histochemistry of living cells and tissues are new and promising frontiers and new, sensitive and quantifiable molecular probes are essential for progress in these directions. It was decided to give the readers of Acta histochemica an update of what is going on at the moment in companies and institutes that are involved in the development of probes for the 21st century. A meeting was held in San Diego, CA, USA, on 4 and 5 May 1998 on 'Advances in Molecular Labels' where the latest progress and future directions were discussed. The meeting was essentially focussed on clinical diagnostics and drugs research, but the tools apply just as much to histochemistry and cytochemistry. Therefore, a report of that meeting is reprinted in this issue of Acta histochemica. It was written by Dr. 1. C. Owicki, Sunnyvale, CA, USA. The report of Dr. Owicki deals with fascinating rapid developments in the field and especially the aspect of sensitivity of probes receives attention. Also, entirely new compounds are introduced. The report was originally written for Investigational Drugs Weekly Highlights, an on-line weekly that publishes news in the field of drug development in a rapid manner. Details about this on-line journal are given at the end of the report of Dr. Owicki.