The process involves several steps: 1. Preparation of Samples: Tissues or cells are prepared on slides and may be fixed to preserve their structure. 2. Blocking: Non-specific binding sites are blocked to prevent background staining. 3. Primary Antibody Incubation: The sample is incubated with a primary antibody that specifically binds to the target antigen. 4. Secondary Antibody Incubation: A secondary antibody that binds to the primary antibody is applied. This secondary antibody is often conjugated to a reporter molecule, such as an enzyme or a fluorophore. 5. Detection: The reporter molecule is used to visualize the bound antibodies, typically through chromogenic or fluorescent methods.
