In situ techniques in diagnostic pathology

摘要

Many rapid advances are being made in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of tumors and infectious diseases. This knowledge is being used in diagnostic pathology as well as in making decisions about targeted therapies for specific diseases. Many new techniques such as RNA profiling, genomics, proteomics, and laser capture microdissection have contributed to these rapid advances [1-4]. For anatomic pathologists, the ability to visualize these changes in protein and nucleic acid levels in tissues under the microscope extend their ability to make pathologic diagnosis at the molecular level.