Acta histochemica, a journal of structural biochemistry of cells and tissues, publishes original research articles, short communications, reviews, letters to the editor, meeting reports and abstracts of meetings. The aim of the journal is to provide a forum for the cytochemical and histochemical research community in the life sciences, including cell biology, biotechnology, neurobiology, immunobiology, pathology, pharmacology, botany, zoology and environmental and toxicological research. The journal focuses on new developments in cytochemistry and histochemistry and their applications. Manuscripts reporting on studies of living cells and tissues are particularly welcome. Understanding the complexity of cells and tissues, i.e. their biocomplexity and biodiversity, is a major goal of the journal and reports on this topic are especially encouraged. Original research articles, short communications and reviews that report on new developments in cytochemistry and histochemistry are welcomed, especially when molecular biology is combined with the use of advanced microscopical techniques including image analysis and cytometry. Letters to the editor should comment or interpret previously published articles in the journal to trigger scientific discussions. Meeting reports are considered to be very important publications in the journal because they are excellent opportunities to present state-of-the-art overviews of fields in research where the developments are fast and hard to follow. Authors of meeting reports should consult the editors before writing a report. The editorial policy of the editors and the editorial board is rapid publication. Once a manuscript is received by one of the editors, an editorial decision about acceptance, revision or rejection will be taken within a month. It is the aim of the publishers to have a manuscript published within three months after the manuscript has been accepted