Slide stainers automate the staining process through a series of programmed steps. These steps typically involve:
Fixation: Preserving tissue morphology. Dehydration: Removing water from the tissue. Staining: Applying various stains to highlight different tissue components. Mounting: Covering the stained tissue with a coverslip for examination under a microscope.
The machine's software can be customized to follow specific staining protocols, ensuring that each slide is treated identically.
