|
Prevents rapid loss of fluorescence during microscopic examination |
|
Retains its anti-fading ability during long-term storage |
|
Inhibits photobleaching of Fluorescein, Texas Red®, Rhodamine, AMCA, and other fluorochromes |
|
Unique, stable formula superior to buffered glycerol, polyvinyl alcohol-based mounting solutions, or those containing commonly used anti-fading agents |
|
Optically clear |
| Rapid photobleaching of sections or cells labeled with fluorescein or other fluorochromes has hampered photography or visual assessment of the label. Frequently, when a section has been scanned visually under the fluorescent microscope, it has already lost significant fluorescence before photography or visual evaluation can be accomplished. |
| VECTASHIELD® Mounting Medium is superior to other anti-fading reagents or mounting media for fluorescence microscopy1. Some agents retard the rate of fading, but their initial application gives a severe reduction in emission. Others give a good initial reading but bleach upon illumination. VECTASHIELD® Mounting Medium combines both advantages into one product. It provides strong initial fluorescence and retards photobleaching over time. |
| Unlike mountants which harden, such as VECTASHIELD® HardFSet™, VECTASHIELD® Mounting Medium is an aqueous mountant which does not solidify but remains a viscous liquid on the slide. To mount tissues or cells on a slide, a special pipet is supplied with the product to dispense one drop (approximately 25µl) onto the section. After a cover slip is applied, the VECTASHIELD® Mounting Medium is allowed to disperse over the entire section. (25µl is sufficient for a 22 x 22 mm coverslip). After mounting, coverslipped slides will not readily dry out and can be reviewed for weeks afterwards without sealing. For prolonged storage, coverslips can be permanently sealed around the perimeter with nail polish or a plastic sealant. Mounted slides should be stored at 4 ºC. The fluorescence will remain for many weeks. |
| Please note: VECTASHIELD® Mounting Medium may not be compatible with all enzymatic substrates or fluorescent proteins and test sections would be advisable when using anything other than commonly used fluorochromes. |
| 1R.J. Florijn, et. al. Cytometry, 19 (1995) 177-182. |