Microscopy Examination and Collection of Digital Images and Their Presentation

Abstract

After finishing an IHC experiment, stained tissue sections need to be examined under the microscope and images are commonly captured using the camera attached to the microscope. Due to enormous progress in digital photography , capturing IHC images is no different than taking pictures of friends using dedicated “point-and-shoot” cameras or cell phones. Although taking digital IHC images appears to be simple and easy, it is important to bear in mind that digital cameras are inanimate and cannot choose which part of a stained image to show and what magnification should be used for the best illustration of antigen distribution. These choices can be determined only by the researcher. This, in turn, requires the researcher to know how to operate a microscope and follow certain guidelines in choosing the best tissue layout and orientation to be shown in captured IHC images.