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Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Fluorescent Silver Staining of Proteins in Polyacrylamide Gels
Published on: April 21, 2019
[Comparison of several silver staining methods for DNA polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis]
Xi-ping Li1, Xin-hua Qian, Ying-min Yao
1Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Objective:
To compare 4 silver staining methods for DNA detection in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
Methods:
After the electrophoresis was completed, the gels were stained separately by four different methods, namely using ammonia-silver-citric acid, low-concentration silver nitrate, 0.1% and 0.2% silver nitrate.
Results:
DNA was detected only by staining with 0.1% and 0.2% silver nitrate.
Conclusion:
0.2% silver nitrate used along with sodium hydroxide shows the highest sensitivity in DNA detection, while its use with sodium carbonate produces the best quality of the image.
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