Astrocyte brain cells. Immunofluorescent light micrograph of brain cells from the cortex of a mammalian brain. The nucleus of each cell is stained blue and cytoplasm stained green. Many starshaped cells, known as astrocytes are seen. These have numerous branches of connective tissue which provide support and nutrition to the neurones (nerve cells). Astrocytes may also play a role in information storage. The blue nuclei of other cells are also seen. Immunofluorescence is a staining technique which uses antibodies to attach fluorescent dyes to specific tissues and molecules in the cell. Magnification: x125 at 6x4.5cm size.