H&E

stain
(Hematoxylin and Eosin)


Hematoxylin is used to identify basophilic structures (those with a net negative charge) in a
tissue section. Other basic dyes include methylene blue, toluidine blue, and some other colors,
like fast green.

Eosin is an anionic dye molecule that is used to identify positively charged, acidophilic
structures in a tissue section. It stains acidophilic materials pink.