Key Attributes
- Protects dyes from fading during imaging
- Ready-to-use liquid, ideal for immediate sample viewing
- Mounted samples are stable for weeks
- Maintains signal strength—little to no quenching
- Ideal for Alexa Fluor® and Cy® dyes—compared to competitor products, improved performance is especially noted with red dyes (Ref 2)
The antifade reagents used in some mountants, can destroy the initial strength of many fluorophores (especially those that emit above 550 nm) by up to 80%. To create the Molecular Probes® Gold series of mountants, our scientists developed a formula of chemical additives that minimize this initial signal quenching for the broadest range of colors and dyes. See (Ref 2,3) for information on the level of photobleaching protection achieved for various dyes.
Immediate Viewing with Maximum Signal Protection
While epoxy-based mountants used in our FluoCells® series of prepared cells can be stable for years and afford the highest level of antifade protection, they are difficult to use, requiring a series of steps in organic solvents prior to mounting. SlowFade® Gold is the best option for immediate viewing of samples. For longer-term storage, it is recommended that a sealant (i.e., finger nail polish or equivalent acrylic reagent) be applied to the coverslip edges to prevent drying. Alternatively, choose our curing mountant Prolong® Gold reagent. For photobleaching protection with Qdot® nanocrystals, we offer Qmount® Qdot® mounting medium.
Improved Resolution in Thick Sections
Glycerol-based mountants are recommended when viewing thick samples, as the refractive index of glycerol is closer to that of tissue. It’s easy to use: just air-dry your stained samples to remove excess water and mount.
Proven Performance
Backed by years of use, the Gold series of mountants have been cited in over 2,000 peer-reviewed articles (as tabulated using Highwire press). For Research Use Only. Not intended for any animal or human therapeutic or diagnostic use.
