What is the difference between ProLong and SlowFade antifade reagents?
Our ProLong antifade reagents dispense as a liquid that will solidify upon the evaporation of water. SlowFade antifade reagents remain liquid. If you are going to image right away and then dispose of your sample, you do not need a mountant that hardens, such as the SlowFade reagents. If you wish to archive your slide for more than a day, you will want a mounting medium that hardens (or cures). This hardening will limit the off-rates of various dye-conjugated antibodies and provides a better refractive index. Also, there will be a lower diffusion rate of free radicals, limiting photobleaching.
Some antifade mounting media stay as liquid whereas others harden. What is the benefit of having one that hardens?
If you are going to image right away and then dispose of your sample, you probably want a mountant that does not harden. If you wish to archive your slide for more than a day, you want a mountant that hardens (or "cures"). This hardening will slow or prevent off-rate of your dye or conjugate and often produces a better refractive index. Secondary sealing is usually not necessary. Also there will be lower diffusion of free radicals, thus limiting photobleaching.
I do not have epoxy or VALAP to seal the coverslip. Do you offer an alternative coverslip sealant?
We offer ProLong Coverslip Sealant (Cat. No. P56128) that can be used to seal the edges of the coverslip and is compatible with both curing and non-curing mountant. The sealant is easy to apply and is brushed on after the mountant has cured, for long preservation of slides. The product page can be found here.
When using a hard-curing mountant, such as ProLong Antifade Mountant, make sure the mountant is fully cured before applying ProLong Coverslip Sealant. Since this sealant can seal moisture under the coverslip, it can interfere with the curing process.
When using a non-curing mountant, such as SlowFade Antifade Mountants, sealing can take place immediately after mounting.
Does Slowfade Antifade Mountant require using a nail polish for sealing?
No. Samples mounted with SlowFade mountants need not be sealed; they are intended for immediate viewing. The coverslip may be anchored (to prevent movement while viewing) by applying molten paraffin to three or four spots around the edge of the coverslip.