Chemicals for Electron and Light Microscopy

CH3CN; [75-05-08]; FW 41.05

Suggested substitute for Propylene Oxide. It is reported as noncarcinogenic, less toxic and not as flammable. High purity; miscible with water, alcohols, acetone and epoxy resins¹⁵.

15) Tarnowski BI, Schonbaum GR: Acetonitrile: substitute for propylene oxide in tissue processing for transmission electron microscopy. Proc 42nd Ann Meeting Elec Mic Soc Amer, p 38, 1984

Edwards HH, Yeh YY, Tarnowski BI, Schonbaum GR: Acetonitrile as a substitute for ethanol/propylene oxide in tissue processing for transmission electron microscopy: Comparison of fine structure and lipid solubility in mouse liver, kidney, and intestine. Micro Res & Tech, 21, pp 3950, 1992

Also used as a dehydrating agent for cells prepared for SEM: Holshek JG, Akins RE: Acetonitrile is better than ethanol as a dehydrating agent for cells prepared for SEM. Proc Mic Soc of Amer, 52nd Annual Mtg 1994, San Francisco Press, ed GW Bailey and AJ Garrett-Reed, pp 324-325, 1994

Prod #

Description

Unit

Price

Order / Quote

Citifluor Antifadent (AF) Solutions

19470

AF-1, Glycerol-phosphate buffered solution, containing antifadent for use with labelled tissue sections and dead cells, 25ml

each

$150.00

Qty:

19470-1

AF-1, Glycerol-phosphate buffered solution, containing antifadent for use with labelled tissue sections and dead cells, 100ml

each

171.00

Qty:

I - SDS (46KB PDF)

19472

AF-2, Glycerol solution containing antifadent for use with labelled tissue sections and dead cells, 25ml

each

90.00

Qty:

19472-1

AF-2, Glycerol solution containing antifadent for use with labelled tissue sections and dead cells, 100ml

each

204.00

Qty:

I - SDS (110KB PDF)
Glycerol solution, additives.

19474

AF-3, Phosphate-buffered saline solution containing antifadent for examination of whole live cells, 25ml

each

101.00

Qty:

19474-1

AF-3, Phosphate-buffered saline solution containing antifadent for examination of whole live cells, 100ml

each

228.00

Qty:

I - SDS (106KB PDF)

19476-A

Citifluor non-fluorescent Immersion Oil, AF87, 10ml

each

80.00

Qty:

I - SDS (47KB PDF)

19476

AF-4, Glycerol solution containing n-propyl gallate for use with labelled tissue sections and dead cells, 10ml

each

98.00

Qty:

19490

AF-100, Phosphate-buffered saline solution containing antifadent specially prepared for use with UVM23 solution where fluorochrome fading is a problem, 5ml

each

20.00

Qty:

I - SDS (47KB PDF)

19491

AF-200, Glycerol solution containing antifadent, specially prepared for use with UVM2 solution where DAPI is the staining material. The solutions can also be used with other fluorochromes such as fluorescein, Alexa dyes and Hoescht dye, 10ml

each

112.00

Qty:

I - SDS (315KB PDF)

19492

AF-300, Glycerol solution containing antifadent, specially prepared for use with UVM2 solution where DAPI is the staining material. The solutions can also be used where fluorescein is the staining material. The solution can also be used with other fluorochromes such as rhodamines, etc., 10ml

each

85.00

Qty:

I - SDS (111KB PDF)

19493

CFM1, Glycerol-PBS ref. index similar to glass, 10ml

each

57.00

Qty:

I - SDS (109KB PDF)

19494

CFM1, Glycerol-PBS w/AF, ref. index similar to glass, 10ml

each

98.00

Qty:

I - SDS (pdf 48KB)

19495

CFM2, Glycerol-TRIS buffer, ref. index similar to glass, 10ml

each

60.00

Qty:

I - SDS (pdf 109KB)

19496

CFM3, Glycerol-Phosphate & AF, ref. index similar to glass, 10ml

each

86.00

Qty:

I - SDS (111KB PDF)

UV Mount Media (UVM)

19497

UVM1, Methacrylate based solution, UV curable, gives clear film, 10ml

each

80.00

Qty:

I - MSDS (69KB PDF)

19498

UVM2, Methacrylate based solution, contains anti-bleaching agent, 10ml

each

77.90

Qty:

I - MSDS 90KB PDF)

Solid Mountants

19469

Citifluor Solid Mountant Kit is comprised of PVA solution, 25ml and Citifluor antifadent in buffer, 5ml. The components can be mixed as required, applied to the specimen and allowed to dry to give a clear film, 30ml

each

142.00

Qty:

C - SDS for Citifluor AF100 Antifadent Solution, 25ml (46KB PDF)

U - SDS for Citifluor CFPVOH Solution, 5ml (44KB PDF)

Contains anti-fading solution. Suitable for preventing fading of dyes such as DAPI which have the tendency to disperse in glycerol based mounting solutions.

Cresyl (Fast) Violet, Certified

18709

Cresyl (Fast) Violet, Certified, C.I. #51180, 5g

$96.00

C18H15N3O3 [10510-54-0] FW 312.34

U - SDS (104KB PDF)

(Cresyl Violet Acetate) Solubility: 0.13% water

Nguyen KB and Pender MP, 1989. Assessment of Demyelination in Glycol Methacrylate Sections: a New Protocol for Cresyl Fast Violet Staining. Stain Technology 64:4, pp. 163-167.

DAPI, fluorescent Dye

18706

DAPI, fluorescent Dye (powder), 10mg

$217.55

C16H15N5•2HCl; [28718-90-3]; FW 350.3

I - SDS (107KB PDF)

Cell permeable fluorescent minor grove-binding probe for DNA (powder).
4',6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole Dihydrochloride:Hydrate

18005

Eponate 12™ Resin, 450g

$109.00

[25038-04-4]
Substitute for "Epon^®" recipes and our Medcast. Excellent results with traditional EM specimen block preparations. WPE 140-150. Viscosity @ 25°'C 130-170cP. Specific Gravity 1.24. Moisture sensitive.

I, Cg - SDS (92KB PDF)

1,2-epoxypropane (see Propylene Oxide) SDS (145KB PDF)

ERL 4221 Epoxide Resin

18306-4221

ERL 4221 Epoxide Resin, 225ml

$28.00

C14H20O4; [2386-87-0; 2611-00-9]; FW 1.173

Cg - SDS (95KB PDF)

A Cycloaliphatic Epoxide Resin specially formulated to take the place of ERL 4206 which is no longer available.

Ethyl Alcohol, Anhydrous

19206

Ethyl Alcohol, Anhydrous, 1 Liter, A.C.S., glass distilled

$112.50

F, T - SDS (166KB PDF) -

C2H5OH; [64-17-5]; FW 46.07

19207

Ethyl Alcohol, Anhydrous, 200ml, A.C.S., glass distilled

$19.95

F, T - SDS (166KB PDF) -

Formaldehyde, 37%, microfiltered (Formalin), 10 x 10ml

Formaldehyde, 37%

18508

$46.00

Cg, T (highly) - SDS (181KB PDF) -

PELCO® Technical Notes, Formaldehyde, Formalin (PDF)
Histological Fixative
(35 - 38% Formaldehyde, 10 - 15% Methanol)

Formalin, 10% Neutral Buffered

18510

Formalin, 10% Neutral Buffered, 450ml

$18.50

Cg, T (highly) - SDS (129KB PDF)
PELCO® Technical Notes, Formaldehyde, Formalin (PDF)

Histological Fixative. Phosphate Buffer. pH 6.9 - 7.1 at 25°C.

Note: ACS Reagent Grade Formalin (35 - 38% Formaldehyde, 10 - 15% Methanol) larger quantities available on request.

Formvar^®

see Vinylec® (Formvar^® substitute)

Gelatin, Purified

19225

Gelatin, Purified, 100g

$80.00

[9000-70-8]
Coating glass slides - adhesive. Cryosectioning¹⁶.
16) Hartmann R: A new embedding medium for cryosectioning eggs of high yolk and lipid content. Eur J Cell Biol, 34, 206, 1984

U - SDS (102KB PDF)

Glutaraldehyde

EM grade purified glass distilled Glutaraldehyde. Available in convenient ampoules of 2 and 10ml and economy bottles of 100ml. Ampoules are sealed with inert gas.

open glutaraldehyde with ampoule breakers

Click here to see
Ampoule Breakers

18420

Glutaraldehyde, 8% EM grade, 10 x 2ml

$30.00

Glutaraldehyde, 8% EM grade, 10 x 10ml

C, T, L - SDS (144KB PDF)

18421

36.50

Glutaraldehyde, 8% EM grade, 100ml

C, T, L - SDS (144KB PDF)

18422

34.00

Glutaraldehyde, 25% EM grade, 10 x 10ml

C, T, L - SDS (144KB PDF)

18426

44.00

Glutaraldehyde, 25% EM grade, 100ml

C, T, L - SDS (139KB PDF)

18427

35.00

Glutaraldehyde, 50% EM grade, 10 x 10ml

C, T, L - SDS (139KB PDF)

18431

60.00

Glutaraldehyde, 50% EM grade, 100ml

C, T, L - SDS (179KB PDF)

18432

58.00

Glutaraldehyde, 70% EM grade, 10 x 2ml

C, T, L - SDS (163KB PDF)

18436

50.00

C, T, L - SDS (154KB PDF)

GridStick™ Adhesive

155-9

GridStick™ Adhesive, 5ml

$12.50

F, I, T - SDS (221KB PDF) -

Used to adhere SynapTek™ grids to the GridStick™.

Hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS)

18605

Hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS), 250ml

$119.35

C, F, I, T - SDS (155KB PDG) -

(CH3)3SiNHSi(CH3)3; [999-97-3]; FW 161.40
Drying tissues for SEM. Stain Tech, 58(6), 347, 1983. Possible substitute for Peldri II^®

Immersion Oil

Made in USA

U MSDS Low viscosity (150cSt), low fluorescence.

19556

Cargille Immersion Oil, Type B, high visc, 120ml (4 oz.)

$23.00

U MSDS High viscosity (1250cSt), low fluorescence.

19563

Cargille Immersion Oil, Type 300, medium viscosity, 120ml (4 oz.)

23.00

U MSDS Medium viscosity (300cSt).

19564-L

Cargille Immersion Oil, Type LDF,fluorescence applications , 30ml (1 oz.)

15.00

U MSDS Extremely low fluorescence, Medium viscosity (500cSt).

JB-4^® Plus Embedding Kit

JB-4^® Plus Embedding Kit for light microscopy is a water soluble, GMA based, plastic resin kit intended for use in the preparation of embedded samples for high resolution light microscopy. Its cooler acting accelerator system offers greater heat protection of tissue components. It yields semi-thin sections (0.5 - 2µm) with excellent morphological preservation. Crystal clear non-yellowing casts are obtained at room temperature in 90 minutes or less.

18040

JB4^® Plus Embedding Kit

$431.00

Monomer Solution A, 500ml (18043) SDS (124KB PDF)

F, I, T

F, I, T

Accelerator Solution B, 15ml (18044) SDS (88KB PDF)

Catalyst, 8g (18045) SDS (153KB PDF) -

Resin (acrylic) only, no catalyst included. Requires Catalyst Prod. No. 18186: UV, benzoin methyl ether SDS (99KB PDF) (~365nm) (0.5% w/v); "blue light", benzyl MSDS (~460nm) (0.1% w/v); benzoyl peroxide SDS (113KB PDF) (1% w/v), cold-cure. Accurate measurements of catalyst are very important. LR Gold can be used at low temperatures (-25°C) and has proven very useful for immunogold procedures. Very low viscosity: 8cP. Applied to both LM (enzyme histochemistry) and EM (immunochemistry) techniques.
Technical Notes (1,816KB PDF)

LR Gold Resin

18183

$190.50

I - SDS (113KB PDF)

Benzoin Methyl Ether

18186

Benzoin Methyl Ether, 10g

$75.00

UV Catalyst for Prod. No. 18183 LR Gold; use at 0.5% w/v, ~365nm.

T, I - SDS (99KB PDF)

[3524-62-7]; MW 226.3

LR White Resin

18181

LR White Resin, Medium, 500ml

$232.00

I - (Resin) SDS (123KB PDF) - (Catalyst) SDS (162KB PDF) -

Resin with initiator (BPO) packaged separately. Accelerator 18185 can be used for cold-cure (room temperature). Heat cure is 24 hours between 50°C and 65°C. Gelatin capsules are recommended for temperatures below 60°C. Tightly closed BEEM^® Capsules and PTFE Molds with ACLAR^® as cover (Cat. No. 10506 or 10508) work well at 65°C. Widely used because of excellent immunolabeling results. LR White is a polar, monomer polyhydroxylated aromatic acrylic resin (see PTFE Molds).

Sections from LR White appear "bumpy" in contrast to Epon resin sections. It is possible that Epon links covalently to tissue proteins while LR White links more weakly. "LR White appears to act in a manner similar to ice in a freeze-fractured specimen."17 A. Yamamoto and Y. Tashiro, using AFM, found a strong relief surface on LR White sections, 3-4nm on average. Depressions ranged from 6 to 30nm. Protrusions could be seen on the complimentary surface. Epon sections show relatively smooth surfaces.18 Micrographs appear similar to freeze-etched images but scaled to nm instead of µm. Viscosity ~= 8cP

18 Yamamoto A, Tashiro Y: Visualization by an atomic force microscope of the surface of ultra-thin sections of rat kidney and liver cells embedded in LR White. J Histochem Cytochem, 42, 1994, pp 1463-1470

Landmark Paper, Freeze-Fracture
Steere RL: Electron microscopy of structural detail in frozen biological specimens. J Biophys Biochem Cytol, 3, pp 45-60, 1957

Newman GR: Use and abuse of LR White. J. Histochem, 19, 118, 1987.
Newman GR: LR White embedding medium for colloidal gold methods. In: Colloidal Gold: Principles, Methods, and Applications, V. 2, (Hayat MA, ed)

PELCO® Technical Notes, LR White Embedding Medium, Prod. Nos. 18181 & 18182

18182

LR White Resin, Hard, 500ml

$222.00

I - (Resin) SDS (123KB PDF) - (Catalyst) SDS (162KB PDF) -

Resin with catalyst packaged separately. Accelerator 18185 can be used for cold-cure (room temperature). Heat cure is 24 hours between 50°C and 65°C. Gelatin capsules are recommended for temperatures below 60°C. Tightly close BEEM^® Capsules and PTFE Molds with ACLAR^® as cover (Cat. No. 10506 or 10508) work well at 65°C. Widely used because of excellent immunolabeling results.

PELCO® Technical Notes, LR White Embedding Medium, Prod. Nos. 18181 & 18182

18185

Accelerator for LR white, 10ml

$36.00

Lead Citrate, Trihydrate, 10g

T- SDS (133KB PDF)

Lead Citrate, Trihydrate

19312

$23.00

I, T - SDS (143KB PDF) -

Pb3(C6H5O7); 3H2O; [512-26-5]; FW 1053.82

19314

Lead Citrate, Trihydrate, 50g

$72.00

I, T - SDS (143KB PDF) -

Lowicryl^® HM-20 MonoStep^® (non polar), 225g Pre-mixed, ready to use embedding media

Lowicryl^® HM-20 MonoStep^® (non polar)

For Sale in U.S.A. Only

18174

$393.00

C, I - SDS (110KB PDF) -

I, O, T - SDS (121KB PDF) -

- Hazard Shipping Fees

NMA

18032

$26.00

C10H10O3; [25134-21-8]; FW 178.19
Methyl-5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride. Moisture sensitive. Viscosity 225-275cp, density 1.23g/cm³. Hardener for epoxy resins.

NanoVan™ and Nano-W™ Pre-Made Negative Stains

Originally intended for staining samples with gold nanoparticles, these convenient ready-to-use pre-made negative stains have been since utilized for many other applications, including pre-screening samples for cryo-EM. NanoVan™is based on vanadium and thus gives lighter staining, for best visibility of gold and silver nanoparticles in the sample. Nano-W^® is tungsten-based and recommended for those cases when higher contrast is desired; it is comparable to PTA negative stain.

Special organic compounds ensure better spreading and uniformity of the stain
Dry without crystallization
Perfect for visualizing macromolecules, edges of protein complexes, cells in suspension
Allow the user to skip the time-consuming and hazardous task of weighing out the chemicals

I - 14701 SDS (101KB PDF)
I - 14702 SDS (275KB PDF)

14701

NanoVan™Light Negative Stain, 5ml

$202.00

Nano-W™Negative Stain, 5ml

14702

202.00

Nonenyl Succinic Anhydride, (NSA), 450g

Nonenyl Succinic Anhydride, (NSA)

18301

$34.65

[28928-97-4]
Double-distilled. Epoxy resin hardener.

I - SDS (100KB PDF)

Osmium Tetroxide

Click here to see
Ampoule Breakers

OsO4; [20816-12-0]; FW 254.20
Solid vaporizes by sublimation. Should be used only under the hood. Affects eyes. Use eye protection.
EM Grade, glass ampoules in black paper. No sticky labels. Osmium purity >99.95%. Light sensitive.

Special note on handling Osmium Tetroxide (reference 5, appendices A:2.5, "Books" , Procedures in Electron Microscopy)

"Great care must be taken with osmium tetroxide. The crystals melt at 40°C and are extremely slow to dissolve in water. Both the crystals and diluted aqueous solutions give off fumes of osmium tetroxide, even at 0°C. It has an extremely low TLV (0.0002ppm). Osmium fixatives must therefore always be handled in a fume hood (cupboard), and because they act so rapidly, skin contact must be avoided at all times."

TLV= Eight hour average Threshold Limit Value measured in milligrams per cubic meter of air.

18459

Osmium Tetroxide, 4% aqueous, 10 x 2ml

$102.85

O, T (highly) - SDS (152KB PDF) (4% aqueous)

18466

Osmium Tetroxide, 2% aqueous, 10 x 5ml

118.00

O, T (highly) - SDS (152KB PDF) (2% aqueous)

18463

Osmium Tetroxide, 4% aqueous, 10 x 5ml

117.50

O, T (highly) - SDS (104KB PDF) (4% aqueous)

18465

Osmium Tetroxide, 4% aqueous, 10 x 10ml

190.00

O, T (highly) - SDS (152KB PDF) (4% aqueous)

18450

Osmium Tetroxide, 1/4 gram crystal, pkg/10

166.00

O, T (highly) - SDS (149KB PDF) (crystal)

18451

Osmium Tetroxide, 1/2 gram crystal

21.00

O, T (highly) - SDS (149KB PDF) (crystal)

18456

Osmium Tetroxide, 1 gram crystal

35.00

O, T (highly) - SDS (149KB PDF) (crystal)

Paraformaldehyde, 16% (Aqueous)

18505

Paraformaldehyde, 16%, 10 x 10ml

$41.50

Cg, T (highly) - SDS (129KB PDF) -

PELCO® Technical Notes, Formaldehyde, Formalin (29KB PDF)

HCHO; [50-00-0]; FW 30.03
EM grade. Paraformaldehyde aqueous solution (methanol free). Pre-scored amber ampules sealed under inert gas.

Prod #

Description

Unit

Price

Order / Quote

18505-100

Paraformaldehyde, 16%, 100ml

each

$40.00

Qty:

Cg, T (highly) - SDS (129KB PDF) -

Paraformaldehyde, EM Grade, Pellets, Purified, 1kg

PELCO® Technical Notes, Formaldehyde, Formalin (29KB PDF)

HCHO; [50-00-0]; FW 30.03
EM grade. Paraformaldehyde aqueous solution (methanol free). 100ml.

Paraformaldehyde, EM Grade (Pellets)

18501

$32.00

T, F, I, Cg - SDS (145KB PDF) -

Robertson JD: The occurrence of a subunit pattern in the unit membranes of club endings in Maunther cell synapses in gold fish brain. J Cell Bio, 19, 201, 1963

(HO(CH2O)nH; [30525-89-4]; FW~600
Fixative. Polyoxymethylene. White free-flowing solid pellet (prill) with strong, pungent formaldehyde odor. Avoid strong oxidizing agents, temperatures above 38°C.

Karnovsky MJ: A formaldehyde-glutaraldehyde fixative of high osmolarity for use in electron microscopy. J Cell Biol, 27, 137A, 1965

Note: Karnovsky's 1965 fixative contains 5% glutaraldehyde and 4% formaldehyde in a sodium cacodylate buffer and is very hypotonic (p. 5:1.17, alternative solution strength and formulation suggested)5. (Reference 5, p. 64)

PELCO^® Pro CA44 Tissue Adhesive

PELCO^® Pro CA44 is an instant tissue adhesive based on cyanoacrylate. Developed to glue tissue on specimen holders used in vibrating microtomes such as the PELCO easiSlicer™, Microslicer™ and Vibratome^®. Although the tissue adhesive is unstable in boiling water, it is recommended to use#19920 PELCO® Pro Cyanoacrylate Debonder to remove or clean cured cyanoacrylate. Supplied in 20ml bottle with dispenser tip, closed with ptfe coated steel pin for optimum seal. Comparable to Loctite 404 tissue adhesive.

Cyanoacrylate Brand Cross Reference and Technical Data

I - SDS (213KB PDF)

10033

PELCO^® Pro CA44 Instant Tissue Adhesive, 20ml

$10.10

F, Cg, I, T - SDS (96KB PDF) -

The shelf life of cyanoacrylate glues (and epoxies) can be extended by storing them at lower temperatures; -20°C. At lower temperatures, the adhesive becomes very viscous and the speed of chemical reactions is practically reduced to zero. It will keep the adhesive stable for years. Before use, let the adhesive thaw with the container sealed to avoid condensation into the adhesive.

PELCO^® Pro Cyanoacrylate Debonder

The PELCO^® Pro Cyanoacrylate Debonder destabilizes and debonds cured cyanoacrylates. Useful for releasing specimens from holders, cleaning cyanoacrylates from surfaces and removing cured cyanoacylates from fingers. Works on all brands of cyanoacrylate glue (Loctite, Henkel, Permabond, 3M™, PELCO^®, Aron Alpha, etc.). The debonder is also a solvent, please check before using on plastic surfaces / samples and avoid repeated skin contact. Supplied in 20ml bottle with dispenser tip.

19920

PELCO^® Pro Cyanoacrylate Debonder, 20ml

$7.00

Phosphotungstic Acid, Reagent (PTA), 25g

Phosphotungstic Acid, Reagent (PTA)

19402

$70.00

12WO3H3PO4; xH2O; [12067-99-1]; FW 2880

T, C - SDS (176KB PDF)

Pioloform^® Powder

19244

Pioloform^® Powder, 10g

$6.90

Substrate component. Water-insoluble. Good thermal and mechanical stability. Because of small mass thickness, electron scattering within the film is low. 0.3-1.5% solution in chloroform, filtered through filter paper.

I - SDS (108KB PDF)

Poly-L-Lysine

18021

Poly-L-Lysine solution, 500µl

$2.99

Poly-L-Lysine solution, 10ml

18026

24.00

U SDS (81KB PDF)
PELCO® Technical Notes, Poly-L-Lysine (169KB PDF)

0.1% w/v aqueous solution; preservative. Adhesive for tissue sections on glass slides. Immunohistochemical techniques, gold labeling, microwave procedures.

Propylene Oxide, EM Grade

18601

Propylene Oxide, EM Grade, 450ml

$50.00

Cg, F, I Special Caution - SDS (145KB PDF) -

Luft introduced Propylene Oxide into epoxy mixtures with his landmark paper and helped bring about improved embedding cures, better ultrastructural research results with blocks that would more reliably section and give better performance under the EM beam by reducing viscosity and increasing penetration.

CH3CHCH2O [75-56-9] FW 58.08
1,2-epoxypropane. Must use under hood, and with all caution. Extremely low vapor pressure. "Since epoxy resins are soluble in ethanol and acetone, dehydration is commonly carried out with one of these solvents. Because epoxy resins are more readily soluble in propylene oxide. This solvent is frequently used immediately prior to infiltration with the resin. Most resins are not readily miscible with ethanol". Propylene Oxide does not separate from the epoxy resin during curing, thus small amounts left in the resin do no harm.

19542

Sodium Phosphate, monobasic, anhydrous, Reagent, ACS, 1000g

$48.55

NaH2PO4 ; [7558-80-7]; FW 119.98
Hygroscopic.

I - SDS (122KB PDF)

Sodium Phosphate, dibasic, heptahydrate, Reagent, ACS

19545

Sodium Phosphate, dibasic, heptahydrate, Reagent, ACS, 450g

$36.00

Na2HPO4 · 7H2O; [7782-85-6]; FW 268.07

I - SDS (123KB PDF)

Toluidine Blue O

19451

Toluidine Blue O, certified, 25g

$44.00