Histokeemiat

Histokeemiat is an interdisciplinary discipline that studies the chemical composition and chemical processes in biological tissues using histological and chemical imaging approaches. It integrates histochemistry, analytical chemistry, and imaging to map spatial distributions of molecules such as metabolites, minerals, and signaling molecules within tissue sections.

Etymology and scope: The term combines 'histology' and 'keemia' (chemistry) to indicate a focus on chemical phenomena in tissue microenvironments. It is used in a few niche publications to describe a workflow that links microscopic structure with chemical data.

Techniques: Core methods include histochemical staining, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence imaging, mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), Raman and infrared spectroscopy, combined with quantitative image analysis and spatial statistics. Data integration pipelines align chemical maps with histological features to produce tissue atlases.

Applications: In pathology, histokeemiat supports characterization of metabolic states, mineral deposition, or biomarker distributions in disease. In neuroscience and oncology, it can reveal microenvironment chemistry and drug localization. It also has potential in toxicology, dental science, and plant tissue research.

Limitations and status: The term is not widely standardized; methods and reporting practices vary. Reproducibility, sample preparation effects, and cross-platform comparability remain challenges. Ongoing work aims to establish conventions for nomenclature, data formats, and validation.