Negative staining using 1% uranyl acetate

Chen Xu

$BrandeisEM: ~/emdoc/en_US.ISO8859-1/articles/negative-staining/article.sgml,v0.1 2004/12/03 xuchen Exp$

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A 1% solution of uranyl acetate has been prepared for your use in the laboratory exercise. We have included instructions for preparing the stock 4% as well as 1 and 2% solutions in the event you have to do this in you own laboratory as a later date. Please note that uranyl acetate is toxic and radioactive. Use the solutions on the bench set aside for negative staining. In the event of a spill, notify a staff member.

Note: Although not as dangerous as handeling P32, you should exercise caution in handeling the stock chemical of solutions. Breathing particles of the salt from dried spills, for example, is very hazardous to your lungs.

1. Materials needed:

  1. fine forceps

  2. P20 pipetteman

  3. pre-filtered 1% solution of uranyl acetate (UA)

  4. Pasteur pipette and bulb

  5. small plastic containment cup

  6. 400 mesh Gilder grids coated with a formvar and carbon supporting film or only carbon supporting only film.

  7. UV light source or glow-discharge unit to treat grids before staining

  8. specimen

  9. vortex mixer

  10. solid and liquid waste containers

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    The staining procedure: