Congo red staining

Congo red staining is a laboratory technique used primarily in histology to detect specific proteins associated with certain diseases, particularly amyloidosis. When tissues are treated with Congo red dye, areas with abnormal protein deposits take on a characteristic apple-green birefringence under polarized light. This makes it easier for scientists and doctors to identify and study these protein abnormalities in tissues, helping in the diagnosis of various conditions, such as neurodegenerative diseases and certain cancers. The staining process is vital for understanding how diseases affect the body at a cellular level.