I would like to preferentially stain for polyvinylpyrrolidone or a globular protein (in a TEM sample) when they are both coating a silver nanoparticle. The common staining methods don't distinguish between the two and using biotinated proteins for gold labeling is not an option. Any suggestions?
Hi, Teodora,
Can you give us a little more information about how you are preparing your samples? Are you drying nanoparticles down on carbon-coated formvar grids, or what is your sample preparation technique?
Yes, exactly, I am letting a drop of particle suspension dry on a carbon-coated grid.
Dear Teodora
If an antibody is available against this protein, you could use the Protein A-gold technique to label the protein.
Best regards,
Dieter
Without sounding trite why does it matter? ie what are you trying to determine and why? It is intriguing that you have both mixed up yet are dying them down.
What 'common' staining methods did you try?
Are you trying to observe the coating or a difference in Ag?
Proteins are often stickier (negative FCD) so a positive heavy metal ion might work.
Tannic acid might help.
How big is the globular protein and the PVP? high defocus might work.
Also there could be a noticeable difference where they are aggregated as the PVP will act as a better spacer than protein (I'd guess).
good luck
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