The operation of histology tools varies depending on their type:
Microscopes
Light microscopes use visible light to illuminate tissue samples, which are then magnified through a series of lenses. Electron microscopes, on the other hand, use beams of electrons to produce high-resolution images.
Staining Techniques
Staining involves applying specific dyes to tissue sections to differentiate various components. For example, H&E staining involves using hematoxylin to stain cell nuclei blue and eosin to stain cytoplasm and extracellular matrix pink.
Image Analysis Software
Image analysis software works by digitizing microscope images and applying algorithms to identify and measure features of interest. These programs can perform tasks ranging from simple measurements to complex pattern recognition.
Flow Cytometry
Cells in a fluid suspension are labeled with fluorescent antibodies and passed through a laser beam. The emitted fluorescence is detected and analyzed, providing information about the size, complexity, and protein expression of the cells.
Next-Generation Sequencing
NGS involves fragmenting DNA or RNA and sequencing the fragments simultaneously. Advanced bioinformatics tools are then used to assemble the sequences and identify genetic variations.
