Immunostaining

Immunostaining is a technique to apply coloured or fluorescent dyes to tissues in preparation for microscopic examination in histology.

An antibody to a specific cell protein is applied to the sample. It only binds to parts of the tissue or cells that contain the protein.

e.g. An antibody to actin raised in a mouse (mouse anti-actin)

Next, a second antibody linked to a coloured agent is applied that binds to the first bound antibody.

e.g. An antibody to mouse IgG, raised in a rabbit (rabbit anti-mouse)

The coloured agent can then be detected and seen down the microscope.