Autoradiography

The Molecular Histology Center (MHC) performs isotopic quantitative receptor autoradiography. This is a method for detecting the expression of membrane bound receptors and transporters in tissue sections. This is a quantitative technique in which the density of a receptor/transporter can be estimated using calibrated autoradiographic standards. The ligand for receptor/transporter binding is typically a commercial product and labeled with 3H or 14C. Hundreds of commercially available ligand are available and assays for them are available in the literature. Several receptor/transporter assays have been developed by the director of the Molecular Histology Center. However, all of these techniques have overlapping similarity and assays can be adapted from the literature or developed de novo.

The technique of quantitative receptor autoradiography demands rigor, and understanding of the principals of receptor binding and a commitment to perform this technique well. The method requires the use of radioactive isotopes and necessary licensing and experience in their use. The MHC performs this technique routinely and has the necessary experience, reagents, and equipment to effectively apply this technique.

The cost of quantitative receptor autoradiography is based on the cost of the ligand plus the number of experiments required to establish the appropriate equilibrium binding conditions and optimize the specific binding for a particular assay. Assays that have been published typically require two or three experiments for validation before experimental assays can be carried out for a user. Decisions about the number of preliminary experiments that must be performed can be established by discussions with the director. It is recommended that a potential user fill out a worksheet to assist in outlining the experiments and potential cost of a project. Specific services provided include consultation about your experiment, ligand purchase, tissue acquisition and sectioning, binding assays, film or phosphor screen exposure, densitometry, and image capture. Our specific services are reviewed on the services page.

We will generate a description of the specific method for each ligand and assay which will be available for grant application or publications.

Molecular Histology Center Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, 170 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854 Phone: 732-445-3729 For additional information contact ekr@eohsi.rutgers.edu

Updated on Friday, June 03, 2005