Journal of Cytology & Histology

The Basics of Immunofluorescence: Principles and Applications

Abstract

Caldrer Donini*

Immunofluorescence is a powerful and widely used technique that allows the visualization and localization of specific molecules within cells and tissues using antibodies conjugated to fluorescent dyes. It is an essential tool in both basic and clinical research, as well as diagnostics. The technique relies on the principle of antigen-antibody interaction, where a specific antibody is used to bind to its target antigen, and the antibody is tagged with a fluorescent molecule to enable detection through fluorescence microscopy. Immunofluorescence is highly versatile, allowing researchers to investigate the distribution, expression, and localization of proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules with high sensitivity and spatial resolution.