Staining Proteins in Gels

This unit describes protocols for detecting proteins in SDS-polyacrylamide gels. It describes methods for Coomassie blue and silver staining, as well as the fluorescent stains SYPRO Orange and Red. Staining with Coomassie blue is easier and more rapid; however, silver staining methods are considerably more sensitive and can thus be used to detect smaller amounts of protein. Alternative rapid staining procedures are provided for each method. Fluorescent staining is a popular alternative to the traditional staining procedures, mainly because it is more sensitive than Coomassie staining, and often as sensitive as silver staining. Curr. Protoc. Essential Lab. Tech. 6:7.4.1-7.4.14. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.