InstantBlue® Coomassie Protein Stain (ISB1L)

InstantBlue^® (ISB1L)  is a ready to use, ultra-fast and sensitive Coomassie Blue protein stain for polyacrylamide gels. Protein gels can be stained in 15 minutes in a one-step protocol eliminating the need to fix, wash or destain.  It is formulated for safe use and easy disposal and comes in a convenient premixed one liter bottle.

Why InstantBlue^® Coomassie Protein Stain?
When compared to homemade and some premade Coomassie Blue solutions, InstantBlue^® does not require additional steps to wash, fix, microwave and destain. Coomassie InstantBlue^® uses a simple one-step protocol saving you time.

The unique patented mechanism for rapid Coomassie blue staining of protein gels begins in moments, and results are achieved within 15 minutes. Some premade and traditional homemade Coomassie R-250 protein stains can take three hours or more to fully stain gels, and then typically require destaining overnight.

Unparalleled sensitivity allows protein levels as low as 5ng per band to be detected (BSA) when staining overnight. Coomassie InstantBlue^® provides specific staining, which gives a clear background, improving the signal / noise ratio of the stain. Despite the staining power, gels can be left in Coomassie InstantBlue^® for weeks and still come out with a crystal clear background, all without the need for destaining or protein stain remover.

The nontoxic formula is sink disposable and its methanol free composition will not shrink gels. Other stains require solvent disposal procedures and can require microwaving, which produces dangerous fumes. The effective staining and safe composition of InstantBlue means that there's no need for microwaving, solvent disposal, or fume hoods.

Coomassie InstantBlue^® will stain at least 40 mini gels per bottle, boasting economical staining with only 25ml per mini gel. As a result, this allows you to use less protein staining solution when compared to 50–100ml of stain per gel for homemade solutions and some premixed solutions.

Fully compatible with mass spectrometry, gels can be destained using standard procedures. The protein staining solution's acetic acid free formulation means it will not methylate or acetylate protein during the protein staining protocol.

Key Benefits

• • Ultra fast staining – Results in 15 minutes or less
• • One step procedure – No washing, fixing, microwaving or destaining
• • High sensitivity – 5ng bands detectable
• • Clear background – High signal / noise ratio
• • Flexible – No overstaining
• • Reliable – Stringent batch to batch consistency
• • Efficient – Only 25ml per gel
• • Safe composition – Nontoxic; no fume hood or solvent disposal required
• • Methanol free – No gel shrinkage or protein methylation
• • Acetic acid free – No protein acetylation
• • Mass spectrometry compatible – Destainable

Coomassie Blue staining protocol when using InstantBlue^® (ISB1L)
BEFORE USE: Mix the Coomassie InstantBlue^® solution immediately before using by gently inverting the bottle a few times (do not shake the bottle to mix the solution).

• - Multiple washes prior to staining with Coomassie InstantBlue^® are NOT required or recommended.
• - An alcohol/acetic acid fixing step prior to staining with Coomassie InstantBlue^® is NOT required or recommended.
• - A destaining step post staining is NOT required or recommended with Coomassie InstantBlue^®.

Standard Coomassie Blue staining Protocol:

1. 1. After electrophoresis remove the gel from the tank and transfer directly into the Coomassie InstantBlue^® staining solution. Be sure that the gel moves freely in stain to facilitate diffusion. Typically, ~20 mL is needed to cover the gel.
2. 2. Coloured protein bands will start to develop immediately, and a suitable intensity is typically achieved after 15 minutes incubation at room temperature with gentle shaking.
3. 3. Photograph your gel when the required intensity has been achieved. Gels can be kept in staining solution but ensure that the gel remains covered with liquid. Alternatively, the gel can be stored in ultrapure water after staining for 1 hour in Commassie InstantBlue^®.

This product is manufactured by Expedeon, an Abcam company. Expedeon product code ISB1L was previously called InstantBlue Protein Stain 1 L and is the same as the 1000 ml size of this product.

Manufactured under patent numbers : US 12/226,797 ; SG 201103010-3 ; SG 200807953-5 ; JP 2009-507182 ; IN 5722/CHENP/2008 ; GB 0608377.8 ; EP 10187154.9; EP 07733647.7 ; CN 200780021434.8 ; CA 2,649,835 ; AU 2007245443
INSTANTBLUE is a registered trademark of Abcam in the US and an unregistered trademark elsewhere