Enzyme-linked reagents give excellent sensitivity and use a simple light microscope for detection. A range of enzymes is available, but for staining in situ, horseradish peroxidase will suit most needs. Diaminobenzidine (DAB) is one of the most sensitive substrates for horseradish peroxidase. It yields an intense brown product that is insoluble in both water and alcohol. It can be made more sensitive by adding metal salts such as cobalt or nickel to the substrate solution. - [Read Antibody Addition to Drosophila Specimens and Detection Using Enzyme-Linked Reagents Protocol]
Method for DNA Preparation from Blood. Using lysis buffer and phenol/chloroform/isoamyl alcohol. Thomas Ried, NCI. - [Read DNA Preparation from Blood PDF]
Treating cells with paraformaldehyde leads to the establishment of chemical cross-links between free amino groups. When the cross-links join different molecules, a latticework of interactions occurs that holds the overall architecture of the cell together. Commercial formaldehyde solutions are not recommended, because they lack the advantages of using a variable-length polymer, and the cells will simultaneously be fixed with the alcohol (usually methanol). - [Read Fixing Attached Cells in Paraformaldehyde Protocol]
Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms form a complex of crystal violet and iodine within the bacterial cell during the Gram-staining procedure. Gm+ organisms are thought to resist decolorization by alcohol or acetone because cell wall permeability is markedly decreased when it is dehydrated by these solvents. Thus, the dye complex is entrapped within the cell, resist being washed out by the solvents, and Gm+ bacteria remain purple following this differential stain. - [Read Gram Staining Protocol]
RNA-RNA in situ hybridization using DIG-labeled probes: the effect of high molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol on the alkaline phosphatase indoxyl-nitroblue tetrazolium reaction. RNA-RNA in situ hybridization protocol using alkaline phosphatase-conjugated digoxigenin-(DIG-) labeled probes is presented. The addition of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) of high molecular weight (40 – 100 kD) to the BCIP-NBT detection system enhances the alkaline phosphatase reaction and prevents... - [Read RNA-RNA In Situ Hybridization Using DIG-Labeled Probes Protocol]
Protocol for myelin sheath. Luxol Fast Blue is the alcohol soluble counterpart of the water soluble Alcian Blue. Staining is due to lipoproteins, and the mechanism is one of an acid-base reaction with salt formation; the base of the lipoprotein replaces the base of the dye. - [Read Staining for Myelin Sheath Protocol]
A single step RNA isolation protocol using Phenol Chloroform Extraction and Acid Guanidinium Thiocyanate. This RNA isolation method uses the fact that guanidinium thiocyanate can simultaneously lyse the cells and inactive cellular RNAses during the initial RNA isolation step allow a single step in the method.
3' Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends RACE Using PCR Protocol. This protocol contains the steps for 3' end rapid amplification of mRNA by PCR. The first-strand cDNA is synthesized from total or poly(A+) RNA by priming from the poly-A tail of the mRNA using a oligo (dT) adaptor primer. The cDNA is then amplified via PCR using a gene-specific primer and an adaptor primer.