Vital stains

chemical compound

Safranin (Safranin O or basic red 2) is a biological stain used in histology and cytology. Safranin is used as a counterstain in some staining protocols, colouring cell nuclei red. This is the classic counterstain in both Gram stains and endospore staining. It can also be used for the detection of cartilage, mucin and mast cell granules.

chemical compound

chemical compound

chemical compound

chemical compound

chemical compound

chemical compound

chemical compound

chemical compound

chemical compound

DiOC6 (3,3′-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide) is a fluorescent dye used for the staining of a cell's endoplasmic reticulum, vesicle membranes and mitochondria. Binding to these structures occurs via the dye's hydrophilic groups. DiOC6 can be used to label living cells, however they are quickly damaged due to the dye's extreme phototoxicity, so cells stained with this dye can only be exposed to light for short periods of time. When exposed to blue light, the dye fluoresces green.