Image Analysis in Histology: Conventional and Confocal Microscopy Edited by R. Wootton, D. R. Springall, and J. M. Polak (review)

The volume is beautifully produced with good plates (even some in color), clear illustrations, and an extensive bibliography. Image Analysis in Histology: Conventional and Confocal Microscopy. Edited by R. Wootton, D. R. Springall, andJ. M. Polak NewYork: Cambridge Univ. Press, 1995. PP. xv, 425. $130.00. This title is one in a new series "based on the successful and internationally wellregarded specialist training programs at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School in London." The aim of the series is "to provide biomedical and clinical scientists with a reliable introduction to the theory and to the technical and clinical applications of each topic." Thirty-three participants produced 23 papers which are divided into 4 sections, namely, Basics, Image Acquisition, Image Processing, and Applications. The latter include quantitative pathology, neurobiology, and immunocytochemistry , as well as approaches to the important automation of quantification. Image analysis can be used "to detect not only stored products in a cell (immunocytochemistry ) , but the synthetic machinery and the genes that control it (in situ hybridization), as well as the specific binding sites that act as receptors for a molecule following its release (in vitro autoradiography)." Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, 40, 2 ¦ Winter 1996 313 ...