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By comparison, the photochemical method (Bio-Rad) requires only 3 reagents, which are stable on storage. It requires fewer reaction steps, and therefore is more rapid. This photochemical silver stain is sensitive, does not suffer from high background, is reproducible, and does not generate variable results when gels of different composition are stained.
Advantages of Silver Staining
Sensitive Alternative to Coomassie Blue R-250
Dilute, unconcentrated samples can be analyzed
Use of dilute sample avoids protein overload artifacts
Trace samples can be analyzed
Sample can be conserved
Useful Alternative to Autoradiography
Faster and equally sensitive
Less expensive
May detect proteins not detected in radiolabeled cell lysate
Does not require prohibitive amounts of radioactive precursors
in whole animal studies
Useful when autoradiography cannot be used
Features Unique to Photochemical Silver Stain
Simplicity
Reliable. Most frequently quoted procedure
Well characterized. Subject of multiple reviews 51, 56, 57
Few reag
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