May Spotlight Newsletter: Latest News & Information from Vector Laboratories

A Guide to Glycan-Binding Proteins

This blog post provides an in-depth guide to glycan-binding proteins, their significance in biological processes, and techniques used for their study and analysis. Read more.

Factors that Contribute to Huntington’s Disease Pathogenesis

As a part of Huntington’s Disease month, we highlight research being done to look at the disease’s pathogenesis. Read more.

Lectin diversity: Where lectins come from

This blog post explores the diverse origins of lectins, their various types, and their roles in biological processes and interactions. Read more.

Immunofluorescence (IF) is a powerful technique that allows researchers to visualize specific components of cells or tissues with high specificity and sensitivity. However, the process requires careful consideration of various factors to ensure optimal results, including the selection of an appropriate antifade mounting media. Antifade mounting media plays a crucial role in preserving the fluorescence signal during the imaging process.

• When imaging biological structures, maximize clarity and contrast by matching the refractive indices of all the components of your prepared samples: the coverslip, the mounting medium, and the biological sample itself.
• Sometimes antifade reagents included in a mounting media can also adversely impact fluorescence so double-check whether a mounting media is compatible with your fluorophores.
• When selecting an antifade mounting media for IF, thick tissues require a non-curing format because curing formulations can cause bubble formation.
• If staining the nuclei is part of your workflow, then consider an antifade mounting media with DAPI to eliminate the need for an extra reagent.