Hi all,
I would like to know if it is possible to use Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) in my blocking solution for immunofluorescence muscle fiber typing. The primary antibodies' host is mouse. The secondary antibodies are Goat Anti-Mouse based. I know it is ideal to use a blocking solution with Goat serum, but I have an excess of BSA in our lab. I've read mixed opinions about using BSA instead of Goat serum. Is this possible? And if so, is it a good idea?
Thank you!
Hello Rachel, you can use BAS. Finally it depends on your protocol and on the tissue you like to investigate. 1% BSA is the concentration which I have used. You can solve the BSA powder in the buffer you like to use and afterwards filter it. Use negative controls (without primary ab) to be sure that there is no unspezific background staining.
Hello Rachel Carter
Most of the time you will find that the blocking serum in which the host is the same as the host of the secondary antibody is used. I have used both the blocking solution with serum as well as BSA. I too have used 1% BSA. I found no difference between the two.
I make the blocking buffer fresh from BSA powder whenever I require.
Best.
Hello all,
Thank you for the response. I will try using 1% BSA then in my blocking solution. I will make sure to make this solution fresh.
Thank you so much for the help!