Immunohistochemistry Resource Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction

Immunohistochemistry Workflow

Immunohistochemistry Selection Guide

Pioneering in IHC Technology

Choosing a Detection System

Avidin-Biotin Complex (ABC)-Based Detection

VECTASTAIN^® ABC Systems

VECTASTAIN^® ABC Kits

Choosing a VECTASTAIN^® ABC Kit

> Customizing your VECTASTAIN^® ABC Kit

Polymer-Based Detection

ImmPRESS^® One-Step Polymer Systems

> ImmPRESS^® Two-Step Amplified Polymer Systems

> Choosing an ImmPRESS^® Polymer Kit

> Multiple Antigen Labeling Simplified

Species on Species Detection

M.O.M.^® (Mouse on Mouse) Immunodetection Kits

Choosing an Enzyme Substrate

Enzyme Substrates

> Enzyme Substrate Properties

Multiple Antigen Labeling

Enzyme Substrate Combinations

Counterstaining

> Counterstain/Substrate Compatibility Table

Blocking Background Signal

Secondary and Tertiary Detection Reagents

Mounting Media

Accessory Reagents

VECTASTAIN^® ABC Kits

Peroxidase-Based Kits: Peroxidase substrates produce sharp, dense precipitates with crisp localization. In conjunction with the high sensitivity and low background of VECTASTAIN ABC Systems, peroxidase-based detection systems are a preferred choice for many applications. (see peroxidase substrates)

VECTASTAIN Elite^® ABC System (Peroxidase)

The VECTASTAIN Elite ABC complex is smaller and more uniform than conventional avidin-biotin complexes. They have greater accessibility to biotinylated targets within tissue samples. VECTASTAIN Elite ABC Kits are our most sensitive avidin-biotin based peroxidase systems.

• Highest available sensitivity, low background
• Cost effective: Higher sensitivity means lower cost per slide
• Available without (Standard Kit) or with biotinylated species-specific or universal secondary antibodies
• Available in ready-to-use formats that yield the same high sensitivity and low background as the corresponding conventional VECTASTAIN ABC Kit reagents.

Original VECTASTAIN ABC Kit (Peroxidase)

Our original avidin-biotin ABC complex formulation.

• Good sensitivity, low background
• Available with or without biotinylated species-specific secondary antibody
• Economical

VECTASTAIN Universal Quick Kits (Peroxidase)

With VECTASTAIN Universal Quick Kits, you can quickly detect primary antibodies made in mouse, rabbit, or goat. These kits rely on a proprietary preformed peroxidasestreptavidin complex to achieve outstanding sensitivity with short incubation times.

• Rapid protocol: Staining in less than 20 minutes following primary antibody incubation. Working solutions can be used immediately after dilution.
• High sensitivity, low background
• Biotinylated Universal Pan-Specific secondary antibody recognizes mouse, rabbit, and goat primary antibodies, as well as those from related species such as rat, bovine, and sheep. (Do not use to stain rat, mouse or other rodent, rabbit, goat, bovine, or sheep tissue due to potential reactivity with endogenous IgG.)
• Available in concentrate or ready-to-use format

Alkaline Phosphatase-Based Kits:

The sensitivity of the VECTASTAIN ABC-AP system is comparable to that of the peroxidase VECTASTAIN Elite ABC system. You may prefer to use VECTASTAIN ABC-AP Kits for tissues that have high endogenous peroxidase activity. The system also offers additional substrate color choices. (See alkaline phosphatase substrates) 

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