Vector Laboratories
VECTASHIELD® antifade mounting media
Antifade mounting media optimized for immunofluorescence applications
Selecting the right mounting medium is crucial for immunofluorescence imaging, as fluorophores can undergo photobleaching and fading due to exposure to excitation light and during storage. An effective mounting medium not only preserves fluorescence but also ensures the long-term stability of your samples for both imaging and archiving.
VECTASHIELD, VECTASHIELD® PLUS, VECTASHIELD Vibrance®, and VECTASHIELD HardSet™ Antifade Mounting Media are industry-leading solutions designed to maintain fluorescent signal intensity, enhancing image acquisition and specimen preservation.
VECTASHIELD PLUS offers enhanced protection across the entire visible spectrum, including far-red wavelengths. With compatibility for most commercially available fluorophores, this improved non-setting formulation minimizes background interference and provides exceptional signal retention.
VECTASHIELD Vibrance is a hard-setting, aqueous mounting medium designed for user convenience. It allows slides to be imaged within an hour of mounting and supports long-term storage at room temperature without compromising signal intensity or causing media shrinkage. Offering robust protection against fading, its compatibility with a broad range of fluorophores ensures reliable results.
COMPARISON TABLE
| VECTASHIELD | VECTASHIELD PLUS | VECTASHIELD HardSet* | VECTASHIELD Vibrance* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compatible with most Alexa Fluor®, DyLight® and CY® Dyes in the visible spectrum | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Compatible with traditional dyes and fluorescent proteins | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Refractive index (*after curing) | 1,45 | 1,45 | 1,46 | 1,47 |
| Non-setting or setting formulation | Non-setting | Non-setting | Setting | Setting |
| Mounted sections viewed after 1 hour | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Preffered for DAPI/AMCA channels | ● | ● | ||
| Storage conditions | 2-8 °C | 2-8 °C | 2-8 °C | Room temperature or 2-8 °C |
| Available with DAPI counterstain | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Available with PI (Propidum iodide) counterstain | ● | |||
| Available with TRITC-Phalloidin counterstain | ● | |||
| Unit size options available | 10 ml | 2 ml, 10 ml | 10 ml | 2 ml, 10 ml |
PRODUCT LISTING
| Cat. no. | Description | Size |
|---|---|---|
| H-1000-10 | VECTASHIELD® Antifade Mounting Medium | 10 ml |
| H-1200-10 | VECTASHIELD® Antifade Mounting Medium with DAPI | 10 ml |
| H-1300-10 | VECTASHIELD® Antifade Mounting Medium with Propidium Iodide (PI) | 10 ml |
| H-1400-10 | VECTASHIELD® HardSet™ Antifade Mounting Medium | 10 ml |
| H-1500-10 | VECTASHIELD® HardSet™ Antifade Mounting Medium with DAPI | 10 ml |
| H-1600-10 | VECTASHIELD® HardSet™ Antifade Mounting Medium with Phalloidin | 10 ml |
| H-1900-10 | VECTASHIELD® PLUS Antifade Mounting Medium | 10 ml |
| H-1900-2 | VECTASHIELD® PLUS Antifade Mounting Medium | 2 ml |
| H-2000-10 | VECTASHIELD® PLUS Antifade Mounting Medium with DAPI | 10 ml |
| H-2000-2 | VECTASHIELD® PLUS Antifade Mounting Medium with DAPI | 2 ml |
| H-1700-10 | VECTASHIELD Vibrance® Antifade Mounting Medium | 10 ml |
| H-1700-2 | VECTASHIELD Vibrance® Antifade Mounting Medium | 2 ml |
| H-1800-10 | VECTASHIELD Vibrance® Antifade Mounting Medium with DAPI | 10 ml |
| H-1800-2 | VECTASHIELD Vibrance® Antifade Mounting Medium with DAPI | 2 ml |
This guide offers you an overview of the IF workflow, optimization tips & tricks, and advice regarding autofluorescence (how to select the best anti-fade medium to preserve your fluorescence signal for imaging and archiving).
