FAQS

Buffer Recipes

A printable pdf for the most commonly used buffers

Dilutions vs Concentrations

A quick reference chart for the most common dilutions required for Vector products.

Quenching Autofluorescence

Formalin fixation can lead to autofluorescence in tissues. Although this is less likely to cause an issue if you have the luxury of a confocal microscope here are some methods that can quench this autofluorescence.

Fluorescent Enzyme Substrates

Some precipitating substrates can also be visible under the fluorescent microscope.

VECTASHIELD Mounting Media

Compatibility charts and protocols

Double Immunofluorescence with Biotinylated Secondaries

An outline method for double immunofluorescence

Double Imunofluorescence (Murine)

Unlike colorimetric methods that can rely on the deposition of an enzyme substrate to provide steric hindrance to prevent interaction of subsequent layers, immunofluorescence needs careful attention to potential cross-reactivities between layers. Where 2 antibodies of murine origin are involved, or on mouse tissue we recommend this method using our M.O.M. technology.

Amplification of a Fluorescent Signal

There are several ways of achieving brighter immunofluorescence, from sensitive kits to using a biotinylated anti-(strept)avidin in a sandwich method.

Trouble Shooting MOM

Specialist help for trouble shooting the Mouse on Mouse Kits

Finding Primary Antibodies

Primary antibodies are an essential part of IHC. These dedicated search engines may help find the right primary antibody for your experiment.

Please note these are external links and Vector accepts no responsibility for their content, nor does this constitute an endorsement.  

Comparison of Anti-DIG Antibodies

Why DIG (Digoxigenin/Digoxin), and which one?

Suggested Protocol for Peroxidase Localization of Wheat Germ Agglutinin in Neural Tissue

ABC & Western Blotting

Immunodetection of antigens on blots using the VECTASTAIN® ABC Kits - Page 2

VECTASTAIN AMP Kits Trouble Shooting Guide

Labelling Nucleic Acids

This 36 page guide offers guidance labelling Nucleic Acids, which method is best both for nucleotide length and future applications.

Labelling Proteins and Antibodies

Not all antibodies are provided commercially with a label suitable for a particular experiment. The ProtOn™ Kits are designed to add biotin or FITC simply to surface primary amino groups on proteins. This system is recommended over Thiol group labelling to retain protein binding or enzymatic activity.

Biotin Quantification

Our White Paper on The QuantTag Kit - a comparison to HABA & mass spectrophotometry

Enzyme Substrate Properties

A handy reference chart for some of the most frequently sought substrate properties

Substrate Combinations for Multiple Labelling

When multiple labelling, or multiplexing, substrate combinations can play an important role, as not all substrates are compatible together.

Substrates Spotlight

A printable on substrates - covering sensitivity, properties and combinations.

Substrates & Counterstains

Not all substrates are compatible with all counterstains, either through colour incompatibility, mounting requirements or other incompatibilities.

Substrates for Contrast with Tissue Pigments

Some tissues are pigmented, so a contrasting substrate is required.

Lectin Properties

Lectins are phenomenal in their complexities of binding different carbohydrates.

These pages are from a double page spread in our last catalogue.

Suggested Protocol for Peroxidase Localization of Wheat Germ Agglutinin in Neural Tissue

Specificity of Jacalin Binding

Enrichment of NK Cells

Isolation of NK cells using Erythrina cristagalli plates

Detection of Glycoproteins

Lectin methods for Histochemistry, ELISA, and Western Blot Applications