[Recent molecular histochemistry and its application from localization to gene hunting]

In situ hybridization histochemistry is established as a method in molecular histochemistry. Although various methods were initially examined, the variation tends to converge into a few popular methods. Current methods in in situ hybridization histochemistry are introduced in this review. In addition, future aspects in the field of molecular histochemistry are discussed. A visualization of DNA binding molecules and an imaging of various phenomena in living tissue would substantially expand the potentiality of histochemistry. Furthermore, a molecular histochemical technique could be used, not only for a localization of molecule but also for a molecular biological method, such as, a screening process in the differential display, which is a sophisticated method, to hunt a specific gene. These advanced methods in molecular histochemistry could be quite useful in the field of thoracic diseases.