The Histochemical Society (HCS) is an

academic society A learned society (; also learned academy, scholarly society, or academic association) is an organization that exists to promote an academic discipline, profession, or a group of related disciplines such as the arts and science. Membership may ...

that was founded on March 24, 1950 at a meeting organized by Ralph D. Lillie of the

National Institutes of Health The National Institutes of Health, commonly referred to as NIH (with each letter pronounced individually), is the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and public health research. It was founded in the late ...

. The idea for the Society arose during the 1949

Biological Stain Commission The Biological Stain Commission (BSC) is an organization that provides third-party testing and certification of dyes and a few other compounds that are used to enhance contrast in specimens examined in biological and medical laboratories. The BS ...

meeting at which a symposia encompassing anatomy, cytology, pathology and biochemistry was proposed by Lillie, Charles Leblond and Edward Dempsey. Lillie became the first editor of HCS's journal, '' Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry''. The Society is an interdisciplinary body of cell biologists, pathologists, anatomists, biochemists, and neuroscientists. HCS's mission is the development and use of visual techniques that provide biochemical and molecular information about the structure and function of cells, tissues and organs and for the dissemination of this knowledge through education and outreach. The Society fulfills its mission through publishing its Journal, the '' Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry'', and through the management of annual meetings and short courses. The Histochemical Society's offices are in

Bethesda, Maryland Bethesda () is an unincorporated, census-designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland. It is located just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House (1820, rebuilt 1849), which in ...

. The Society is a member society of the

Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) is a non-profit organization that is the principal umbrella organization of U.S. societies in the field of biological and medical research. This organization organizes academ ...

(FASEB) and the International Federation of Societies for Histochemistry and Cytochemistry.

Publications

The Histochemical Society owns the '' Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry''; the Journal is published for the Society by SAGE Publications. * The '' Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry'', JHC, publishes primary research on the structure and function of cells, tissues, and organs, as well as mechanisms of development, differentiation, and disease. Of additional importance are new developments in microscopy and imaging, particularly new techniques highlighting current research in genetics, molecular biology and biochemistry. The Journal is published monthly, both in print and online. The Editor-in-Chief, Stephen M. Hewitt (

National Cancer Institute The National Cancer Institute (NCI) coordinates the United States National Cancer Program and is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is one of eleven agencies that are part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ...

) is assisted by a four Associate Editors and an Editorial Board. * The Histochemical Society Newsletter regularly publishes a newsletter that offers updates on meetings, workshops, awards and HCS initiatives. The newsletter is complimentary to all HCS members.

Meetings

The Histochemical Society hosts an annual meeting consisting of scientific plenary talks and symposia, student poster sessions, and an awards presentation and business meeting. Since becoming a FASEB society in 2011, the HCS annual meetings have been held at Experimental Biology as a guest of another FASEB society. The annual Experimental Biology meeting is among the largest biomedical/research meetings globally. This venue provides our members with many exciting sessions that span a broad spectrum of biomedical research fields.

Awards

Awards presented at the HCS annual meeting: *New Investigator Award *Vector Laboratories Young Investigator Award *Ralph D. Lillie Award *Trainee Travel Awards The HCS also provide assistance to further trainee/student research projects. Specifically, the Capstone Grants for undergraduate students and the Cornerstone Grants for graduate medical trainees and graduate students.

Courses

The HCS founded the Immunohistochemistry and Microscopy Course (IHCM) is course in 2008 and HCS members continue to act as the academic faculty. The IHCM course gives participants extensive hands-on experience with immunohistochemical techniques and a broad range of microscopy imaging modalities. The course emphasizes in-depth theory, didactic lectures, small group discussions, troubleshooting, and informal interactions among faculty and participants. The IHCM course prepares participants to independently carry out immunohistochemistry and imaging in their own laboratories and to critically evaluate and troubleshoot problems that arise when using these techniques.

Advocacy

HCS supports public advocacy of the issues that are important to and affect the biomedical research community through membership in FASEB.

Committees

*Awards and Membership Committee *Finance Committee *Program Committee *Publications Committee *Communication Committee *Education Committee

Notes and references

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Histochemical Society Learned societies of the United States Organizations established in 1950 Histochemistry