Frequently Asked Questions - Negative Stain
The process of negative staining allows an investigator an ultrastructural view of particulate specimens which are found exclusively in suspension, including virus particles, lipoprotein particles, cell fragments, bacteria, and other macromolecules.
This procedure gives an intimate morphological view of the ultrastructure of specimens in suspension, including fine-surface details and interior components. Using certain procedures, it also permits the quantitation of particles per milliliter in suspension. No other method is known by which ultrastructural details of minute specimens can be visualized with high resolution.
The Electron Microscopy Laboratory at Advanced Biotechnologies Inc was designed for work with biohazardous specimens. Fresh or frozen Biosafety Level-3 specimens can be shipped to the laboratory where they are prepared following written protocols.
Biohazardous specimens need to be packaged and shipped according to current shipping regulations.
ABI does not handle or process Biosafety Level-4 specimens or any other high-risk airborne agents.
In order to provide the best results possible, it is very important that each particular specimen to be examined is at a minimum concentration of 2.0 × 107 per milliliter.
If concentration of the sample is difficult, ABI has a full-service BSL-3 laboratory where samples can be concentrated in a matter of a few hours to meet the specifications of negative staining techniques.
ABI offers negative staining quantitation services utilizing a technique developed over the past fifteen years.