Book excerpt: The most complete, up-to-date reference on antigen retrieval and immunohistochemistry An antigen is a substance that prompts the generation of antibodies and can cause an immune response. The antigen retrieval (AR) technique is in wide use across the globe, and is a critical technique used in medical diagnosis of disease, particularly clinical targeted cancer treatment. Antigen Retrieval Immunohistochemistry Based Research and Diagnostics discusses several scientific approaches to the standardization of quantifiable immunohistochemistry (IHC). Based on the development and application of AR by the editors, this volume summarizes recent achievements in AR-IHC and analyzes numerous cutting-edge issues for future research projects. Featuring contributions from a worldwide group of leading experts and research scientists in the field, this important work: Summarizes the key problems in the four fields of antigen retrieval Discusses the advances of AR techniques and their applications Provides practical methods and protocols in AR-IHC, such as extraction of nucleic acids and proteins for molecular analysis, cell/tissue sample preparation, and standardization and development of various techniques to meet the future needs of¿clinical and research molecular analysis Encourages further research in AR and IHC, particularly how AR methods might be employed for improved test performance and the development of greater reliability and reproducibility of IHC Includes an appendix of related laboratory protocols Antigen Retrieval Immunohistochemistry Based Research and Diagnostics is intended for clinical pathologists, molecular cell biologists, basic research scientists, technicians, and graduate students who undertake tissue/cell morphologic and molecular analysis and wish to use and extend the power of immunohistochemistry. It is also pertinent for most biotechnology companies majoring in development of IHC products. Wiley Series in Biomedical Engineering and Multi-Disciplinary Integrated Systems / Kai Chang, Series Editor