Mounting Media
Superior Clarity, Stability, and Performance.
Vector Laboratories provides a comprehensive portfolio of aqueous and non-aqueous mounting media specifically designed to meet the rigorous demands of microscopy across a broad range of applications.
Preserve Your Samples with Confidence
The mounting medium plays a critical role in microscopy by protecting and preserving a specimen between the coverslip and the slide. Additionally, specialized mounting media offer several important benefits.
Enhance Optical Clarity
Improve the resolution, contrast, and overall quality of microscopic imaging.
Minimize Photobleaching
Preserve fluorescence signals during imaging and storage.
Maintain Chromogenic Staining
Preserve the clarity, contrast, and stability of histochemical stains and precipitable enzyme substrates.
Extend Specimen Longevity
Facilitate reliable, short-term examination and long-term archival storage. Maintain the integrity of cells and tissues and prevent specimens from drying out.
VECTASHIELD® Antifade Mounting Media for Immunofluorescence
VectaMount® Mounting Media for Immunohistochemistry
VectaCell™ Trolox Antifade for Live Cell Imaging
VECTASHIELD® Antifade Mounting Media for Immunofluorescence
Choosing an effective mounting medium is critical to achieving consistent, high-quality results in immunofluorescence (IF) imaging. Fluorophores are inherently susceptible to photobleaching and signal fading, which can occur rapidly due to exposure to intense excitation light during imaging, or gradually during prolonged storage. An optimized anti-fade mounting medium safeguards fluorescence intensity, preserving the integrity and clarity of the fluorescent signal. By minimizing photobleaching, an effective mounting medium not only extends the duration of imaging sessions but also enhances sample longevity, ensuring accurate, reproducible results even after storage.
For more than three decades, Vector Laboratories has been a trusted leader in fluorescence workflows with our renowned VECTASHIELD line of mounting media. Designed to meet the precise requirements of researchers, VECTASHIELD effectively prevents photobleaching, keeping fluorescent signals clear, bright, and stable throughout extended imaging sessions.
Choosing VECTASHIELD means investing in a mounting medium backed by a legacy of scientific excellence and continuous innovation. VECTASHIELD reagents set the standard in anti-fade mounting media, making them the optimal choice for routine and advanced fluorescent imaging applications.
Figure 1. Human Colon: Rabbit Anti-Cytokeratin (AE1/AE3) and Mouse Anti-Desmin detected simultaneously with VectaFluor™ Duet Double Labeling Kit; Vasculature detected using DyLight™ 649 UEA I Lectin (purple). Mounted in VECTASHIELD PLUS Antifade Mounting Medium (H-1900).
VECTASHIELD mounting media are highly trusted, extensively published, and market-leading solutions known for providing exceptional anti-fade protection. Building on this proven track record, our next-generation formulations, VECTASHIELD® Vibrance® and VECTASHIELD® PLUS, deliver enhanced performance with superior optical clarity, optimized compatibility across the full fluorescence spectrum, and even greater preservation of fluorescent signals. These advanced mounting media are specifically designed to maintain bright, stable fluorescence, ensuring consistent, reproducible imaging results in every application.
Table 1. Our VECTASHIELD kits provide a variety of performance characteristics and size options to fit your application.
| Product | Formulation | Counterstain | Unit Size | Cat. No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VECTASHIELD® PLUS Antifade Mounting Medium | Non-Hardening | None | 2 mL, 10 mL | H-1900 |
| DAPI | 2 mL, 10 mL | H-2000 | ||
| VECTASHIELD Vibrance® Antifade Mounting Medium | Hardening (Setting) | None | 2 mL, 10 mL | H-1700 |
| DAPI | 2 mL, 10 mL | H-1800 | ||
| VECTASHIELD® Antifade Mounting Medium | Non-Hardening | None | 10 mL | H-1000-10 |
| DAPI | 10 mL | H-1200-10 | ||
| PI | 10 mL | H-1300-10 | ||
| VECTASHIELD® HardSet™ Antifade Mounting Medium | Hardening (Setting) | None | 10 mL | H-1400-10 |
| DAPI | 10 mL | H-1500-10 | ||
| TRITC-Phalloidin | 10 mL | H-1600-10 |
Figure 2. Diagram showcasing the applications for which our various VECTASHIELD antifade mounting media are recommended.
VectaMount® Mounting Media for Immunohistochemistry
When applying a coverslip, selecting the appropriate mounting medium is essential to preserve the clarity, contrast, and stability of histochemical stains and precipitable enzyme substrates in tissue sections or cell preparations. An optimal mounting medium for chromogenic substrates not only protects specimens from physical damage but also prevents fading, diffusion, or loss of reaction products, ensuring the integrity of the staining over time. By effectively sealing and stabilizing the reaction precipitate, the correct mounting medium maintains precise localization and intensity of the chromogenic signals, supporting long-term archival quality and accurate microscopic analysis.
Figure 3. Human Colon: Mouse Anti-Ki67, ImmpRESS-HRP Anti Mouse IgG, ImmPACT DAB EqV and Rabbit Anti- Cytokeratin ImmPRESS-AP Anti-Rabbit IgG, Vector Blue. Mounted in VectaMount Express Mounting Media.
VectaMount PT Permanent Mounting Medium
- Permanent, non-aqueous mounting
- Color preservation over time without loss of intensity or color shift
- Compatible with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) enzyme substrates, as well as commonly used counterstains that are compatible with non-aqueous mounting
- Reliable long-term stability
- Refractive index: 1.52 when dry
VectaMount Express Mounting Medium
- Non-aqueous clearing and mounting medium for IHC-stained slides
- Eliminates the need for extensive ethanol washes and solvent-based clearing agents (e.g., xylene)
- Rapid drying formula for fast visualization of stained samples
- Preserves staining for at least 18 months at room temperature
- Compatible with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) enzyme substrates, as well as commonly used counterstains
- Optically clear formula with a refractive index of 1.49, resulting in high-quality imaging free of distortion or artifact
VectaMount AQ Aqueous Mounting Medium
- Hard-setting, aqueous mounting medium
- Preserves the color and clarity of enzyme substrates whose reaction products are soluble in alcohol or other organic solvents
- Simple to use, requires no mixing
- Stained sections mounted with VectaMount AQ can be stored in a slide box at room temperature for at least two years without fading
VectaCell™ Trolox Antifade for Live Cell Imaging
VectaCell Trolox Antifade Reagent is an antifading additive for live cell imaging. It reduces phototoxicity and photobleaching of reagents to increase cell viability and prolong signal.
Which Mounting Medium Should I Choose?
Choosing the ideal mounting medium for your application will require that you identify what is most important to you. Areas of consideration might be the length of time for which you intend to protect and store your sample. Or perhaps it might be whether any chemical incompatibility exists between your sample type and the solvents of the mounting medium. Explore our resources below for guidance on choosing the best mounting medium and more.
Mounting Media Technical and Educational Resources
View our resources below for more in-depth immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry information.
Immunofluorescence Mounting Guide
Tips and tricks to help select the best mounting media and improve your immunofluorescence results.
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Immunofluorescence Resource Guide
Streamline the immunofluorescence process with this step-by-step guide to finding the optimal reagents for your project.
Immunohistochemistry Resource Guide
Step-by-step guide for selecting the best reagents for your immunohistochemistry workflow.
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How to Mount a Coverslip on a Slide
Walk through the process of properly coverslipping your slides to protect your samples.
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How to Choose Antifade Mounting Media
Five key factors to consider when choosing the best antifade mounting medium.
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Setting Media vs. Non-Setting Mounting Media: Which is Right for You?
Important factors when selecting mounting media.
