This image is an example of a technique called immunohistochemistry staining. In this approach, scientists use a fluorescent dye on antibodies (proteins produced by the body to combat infection) to identify the antigens (a toxic or foreign substance to the body) in a sample. In the image above, this technique was used to get a better understanding of the structure of Schwann cells. Schwann cells are the glial cells in the peripheral nervous system, and their job is to myelinate the axons of neurons and supply nutrients to specific axons.

In this image, immunohistochemistry staining is used to better determine the structure of Schwann cells. Schwann cells are heavily related to neurological diseases like Guillain–Barré syndrome, leprosy, and Zika Virus. Better treatment for these diseases can be developed through the study of Schwann Cells.

Y. He, J. Y. Kim, J. Dupree, A. Tewari, C. Melendez-Vasquez, J. Svaren, P. Casaccia. Yy1 as a Molecular Link between Neuregulin and Transcriptional Modulation of Peripheral Myelination. Nat Neurosci, 2010, 13 (12), 1472–1480. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nn.2686.