Hello,
I study corneal development in the mouse.  We have mutant mice that I 
suspect have problems bundling collagen fibrils and making sure they are 
the correct diameter.  I am in the process of having TEM done using 
phosphotungstic acid to visualize the fibers.  

I was wondering if there were any stains specific for collagens in 
general, or for specific collagens using routine histology or frozen 
sections.  The histology book we have in lab is from 1975 and says
there are no specific staining reactions for collagen, but that it binds 
the fuchsin f van Geison's stain and the analine blue of Mallory's 
stain.  I have used Mallory's and I see blue staining in the cornea, but 
less than in normal animals.  
What about silver staining?
Does anyone have any suggestions, or is TEM the best way to go?
Thanks,
Carolyn Pressman
MD Anderson Cancer Center
HOuston, TExas
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