Aurion’s Enhancement Conditioning Solution (ECS) is a concentrate that requires a 10x dilution with distilled grade water before use. It helps optimise enhancement by conditioning specimens labelled with (ultra small) gold conjugates before the silver enhancement procedure using Aurion R-Gent SE-EM. Aurion ECS is a prerequisite to condition enhanced specimens for a second incubation series in double labelling experiments (Yi et al, 2001, Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry 49(3): 279-283).
Introduction
Incubation buffers suited for immuno gold labelling commonly contain ions such as phosphate and chloride which are not compatible with silver ions causing precipitation of insoluble silver salts. These ions therefore need to be thoroughly removed before enhancement. Whereas pure water is suited to fulfil this requirement in the purely chemical sense, it is rarely the best way when working with delicate specimens potentially affecting ultrastructural details vulnerable to drastic changes in ionic concentration. Using water it is also necessary to carefully blot the specimens and remove the water without drying before applying Aurion R-Gent SE-EM. Failing to do so will result in dilution and diminished activity of the silver enhancement reagents, especially when working with small volumes.
Aurion developed Aurion ECS to negotiate optimum conditions for enhancement while at the same time avoiding the risks posed by water. Its ionic strength is similar to immuno incubation buffers and its make up is compatible both with these buffers as well as with Aurion R-Gent SE-EM.
Aurion ECS is therefore highly recommended for single labelling experiments. It is an absolute requirement for double labelling where ECS not only reconditions specimens for the next immuno steps but also avoids the use of aldehyde fixation after the first immuno gold silver labelling sequence.
Product Description
Aurion ECS is a concentrated buffer solution, improving immuno gold silver staining results. Aurion ECS is supplied as a 10x concentrate and is compatible with all the Aurion reagents.
Application Instructions
Detailed information is provided in the package insert. See also Aurion Newsletter 5 as well as the info on double labelling on this website.
Used as a 10x dilution Aurion ECS serves as a washing medium after immuno incubation and before silver enhancement (immuno procedure – wash – silver enhancement).
In addition to this application in singe labelling it is required in double labelling experiments as a washing medium between the first silver enhancement step and the second immuno incubation sequence.
(immuno incubation1 – wash – silver enhancement1 – wash – immuno incubation 2 – wash – silver enhancement2).
Storage
Aurion ECS has a guaranteed shelf life of 18 months from the date of quality control analysis. Store at 4-8°C. Do not freeze.