This volume is a collection of chapters contributed by leading experts in the emerging field of analytical morphology. Its contents cover a wide range of techniques for morphologic research and diagnosis and it is intended for anyone who wants to keep abreast of the rapid development in this field. Analytical morphology is a contemporary science dealing with the analy- sis of shape, size and color arrangement of cell and tissue components by means of a variety of analytical maneuvers. It differs from conventional mor- phology and histopathology in that it employs methods beyond routine hema- toxylin and eosin or histochemical staining. To a great extent, the advance- ment of analytical morphology is based on new advances in other disciplines, such as immunology, molecular biology, laser technology, microwave tech- nology and computer science. Using these new methods, particular cellular components that would otherwise remain invisible, such as peptides, pro- teins, or nucleotide sequences, are highlighted by visible markers through chemical, physical, immunological or molecular biological reactions. These methods include immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization, in situ poly- merase chain reaction, antigen retrieval, image analysis, and the like. Analytical morphology is the foundation of contemporary medicine. It provides concrete and visible evidence for many conceptual deductions of other life science disciplines.

This volume is a collection of chapters contributed by leading experts in the emerging field of analytical morphology. Its contents cover a wide range of techniques for morphologic research and diagnosis and it is intended for anyone who wants to keep abreast of the rapid development in this field. Analytical morphology is a contemporary science dealing with the analy- sis of shape, size and color arrangement of cell and tissue components by means of a variety of analytical maneuvers. It differs from conventional mor- phology and histopathology in that it employs methods beyond routine hema- toxylin and eosin or histochemical staining. To a great extent, the advance- ment of analytical morphology is based on new advances in other disciplines, such as immunology, molecular biology, laser technology, microwave tech- nology and computer science. Using these new methods, particular cellular components that would otherwise remain invisible, such as peptides, pro- teins, or nucleotide sequences, are highlighted by visible markers through chemical, physical, immunological or molecular biological reactions. These methods include immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization, in situ poly- merase chain reaction, antigen retrieval, image analysis, and the like. Analytical morphology is the foundation of contemporary medicine. It provides concrete and visible evidence for many conceptual deductions of other life science disciplines.

Ever since the introduction of the polymerase chain reaction (peR) in 1986, morphologists, whose interests lie in the analysis of intact tissue structures, have been attempting to adapt this technique to intact cells or tissue sections to detect low copy numbers of DNA or RNA in situ while preserving tissue morphology. The significance of this objective is obvious. A technique finally materialized in 1990 when Dr. Ashley T. Haase and coworkers published results that used multiple prim ers with complementary tails in intact cells. Since then, a number of laboratories have successfully developed their own versions of the technique. In situ peR is now a well-recognized method that permits the detection of minute quantities of DNA or RNA in intact cells or tissue sections. As a result, morphological analysis of those target nucleotide sequences becomes possible. As anticipated, this ad vancement has led to significant improvement in our understanding of many nor mal and abnormal conditions, and its impact is becoming more evident as time passes. In situ peR has the characteristics of a new landmark in morphologic technol ogy-it is scientifically fascinating and technically challenging. In essence, it is a combination of in situ hybridization and conventional peR. The wealth of litera ture, experience and protocols for the two latter techniques can be applied to in situ peR. In situ peR also has its own unique aspects that were not addressed by the other two techniques.