Cole's Hematoxylin Solution (For Conventional Stain)

Hematoxylin is a basic natural dye that stains cell nuclei. The primary component of nuclear chromatin is DNA; within the double helix structure of DNA, phosphate groups on the two nucleotide chains face outward, causing the exterior of the DNA double helix to carry a negative charge and exhibit acidic properties. Consequently, it readily binds to the positively charged hematoxylin basic dye via ionic or hydrogen bonds, resulting in staining.

This solution utilizes a modified version of the classic formula and contains no toxic or harmful components such as mercury or methanol. As a gentle progressive stain, it requires no acid differentiation and is ideal for IF/IHC. It allows flexible sequencing (before or after immunostaining) and stains nuclei blue with a simple, rapid protocol.