A Complete Guide to Histopathological Staining and Imaging: Techniques and Applications

Histopathology relies heavily on accurate staining and imaging techniques to enable the detailed study of tissue diseases. This review comprehensively examines the dyes and staining methods that are integral parts of histopathological practices, tracing their historical development from traditional stains like Hematoxylin and Eosin to advanced fluorescent dyes, immunohistochemistry, and virtual staining. This review also looks at the chemical compositions, applications, and staining procedures of a wide range of dyes. Additionally, this paper also showcases the optical principles that govern the light-tissue interactions that are essential for optimizing various microscopy techniques. The paper further discusses the latest advances in microscopy, including brightfield, phase contrast, fluorescence, and super-resolution microscopy. This review aims to provide a valuable resource for researchers seeking to expand their understanding and application of histopathological techniques.