Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Epigenetic remodeling during UV exposure: high resolution analysis of histone post-translational modifications in a DNA binding protein 2 mutant model.

Histochemistry and cell biology·2026
Same author

An endogenous viral element of Aedes albopictus is translated and limits cognate virus.

BMC biology·2026
Same author

Resolving Sub-Nuclear Architecture from Compartments to Functional Domains.

International journal of molecular sciences·2026
Same author

Now You See Me: Visualizing nuclear complexity by selective staining.

Methods (San Diego, Calif.)·2026
Same author

AntiCD44 antibody-conjugated gold nanoparticles for targeted photothermal therapy of endometriotic cells.

Biomaterials science·2025
Same author

Osteogenesis Imperfecta: A Look into the Cerebellum of the Brtl Murine Model.

Molecular neurobiology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 27, 2025

Real-time Imaging of Single Engineered RNA Transcripts in Living Cells Using Ratiometric Bimolecular Beacons
12:20

Real-time Imaging of Single Engineered RNA Transcripts in Living Cells Using Ratiometric Bimolecular Beacons

Published on: August 6, 2014

11.9K

Specific RNA Visualization at Electron Microscopy via Terbium Citrate Vapors.

Claudio Casali1, Lorena Zannino2, Marco Biggiogera2

  • 1Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani", Laboratory of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy. claudio.casali@unipv.it.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|September 24, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Terbium citrate vapors offer a new, secure method for RNA visualization in electron microscopy. This technique enhances contrast for precise RNA single molecule localization, overcoming previous staining difficulties.

Keywords:
CytochemistryElectron microscopyRNA stainingTerbium staining

More Related Videos

Fluorescent End-Labeling and Encapsulation of Long RNAs for Single-Molecule FRET-TIRF Microscopy
10:59

Fluorescent End-Labeling and Encapsulation of Long RNAs for Single-Molecule FRET-TIRF Microscopy

Published on: October 18, 2024

750
Visualization of Endoplasmic Reticulum Subdomains in Cultured Cells
16:43

Visualization of Endoplasmic Reticulum Subdomains in Cultured Cells

Published on: February 18, 2014

13.1K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 27, 2025

Real-time Imaging of Single Engineered RNA Transcripts in Living Cells Using Ratiometric Bimolecular Beacons
12:20

Real-time Imaging of Single Engineered RNA Transcripts in Living Cells Using Ratiometric Bimolecular Beacons

Published on: August 6, 2014

11.9K
Fluorescent End-Labeling and Encapsulation of Long RNAs for Single-Molecule FRET-TIRF Microscopy
10:59

Fluorescent End-Labeling and Encapsulation of Long RNAs for Single-Molecule FRET-TIRF Microscopy

Published on: October 18, 2024

750
Visualization of Endoplasmic Reticulum Subdomains in Cultured Cells
16:43

Visualization of Endoplasmic Reticulum Subdomains in Cultured Cells

Published on: February 18, 2014

13.1K

Area of Science:

  • Electron Microscopy
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Terbium citrate staining is the preferred method for RNA visualization via transmission electron microscopy.
  • Its selectivity for guanosines in RNA, not DNA, ensures precise results.
  • Conventional terbium citrate staining methods face challenges with contrast reduction during rinsing steps.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a straightforward and secure method for RNA single molecule localization.
  • To overcome the contrast reduction issues associated with traditional terbium citrate staining.
  • To provide a versatile RNA visualization technique compatible with various fixation and embedding methods.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a novel RNA single molecule localization technique using terbium citrate vapors.
  • Application of the vapor staining method across different sample preparation protocols.
  • Evaluation of the method's efficacy in maintaining and enhancing RNA contrast.

Main Results:

  • The terbium citrate vapor method provides a secure and straightforward approach to RNA visualization.
  • This new technique successfully overcomes the contrast reduction issues seen in conventional methods.
  • The method is effective for RNA single molecule localization regardless of fixation and embedding types.

Conclusions:

  • Terbium citrate vapor staining is a significant advancement for high-resolution RNA imaging.
  • This method offers improved reliability and precision for studying RNA localization in electron microscopy.
  • The technique's versatility makes it broadly applicable in molecular and cell biology research.