Pre-embedding Nanogold Silver and Gold Intensification

Pre-embedding nanogold silver and gold intensification methods involve immunoreactions with nanogold-labeled antibodies and intensification of the nanogold particles before embedding and ultrathin sectioning. These highly sensitive methods show good resolution and ultrastructural preservation. They also are useful for simultaneous observation of immunolabeled cells under light and electron microscopes, and for three-dimensional immunoelectron microscopic analyses. Silver intensification is usually superior for immunolabeling. On the other hand, ultrastructural preservation is better when gold intensification is used. In this chapter, we introduce pre-embedding nanogold silver and gold intensification procedures for use primarily with cultured cells.