Staining is a crucial step in 2D histological techniques as it enhances the visibility of cellular and tissue structures. Some common staining techniques include:
Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E): This general-purpose stain highlights nuclei in blue and cytoplasm in pink, providing an overall view of tissue architecture. Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS): This stain detects polysaccharides like glycogen and mucosubstances, staining them magenta. Masson's Trichrome: Used to differentiate between muscle, collagen, and keratin, this stain results in multiple colors such as blue, green, and red. Immunohistochemistry (IHC): This technique uses antibodies to detect specific antigens in tissues, providing information on protein expression.
