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What about airbrushing a thin fluorescent paint onto them, kind of like rotary shadowing for EM?
-Michael C.

-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Doreen MILIUS
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 10:29 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: ant surface stainig

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Dear list members,

we are trying to perform an unspecific fluorescence surface staining of whole ants to see the structure of the cuticle. We have tried water-soluble protein binding dyes like NHS-ster Dylight 549 which didn't work so well and are now thinking about trying out hydrophobic dyes that stain membranes unspecifically. Does anyone have experience with staining insect surfaces and could give a suggestion. This would be of great help.

Thanks a lot, Doreen


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Doreen Milius

Bioimaging Facility
Institute of Science and Technology Austria Am Campus 1
A-3400 Maria Gugging