The impact of histochemistry--a historical perspective.

Histochemistry has a remarkable long-term impact on cell and tissue biology, embryology, and pathology and remains at the forefront of research in these disciplines. Histochemical techniques, and particularly immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization techniques, are now more widely used than ever and, in conjunction with new developments in microscopical imaging and analysis, will continue to have an important position in the life sciences and medicine. However, histochemistry is often mistakenly perceived as an archaic discipline, and its contributions to cell and molecular biology are not always given the credit it deserves.