Q2: How do I place an order online?
Q3: What are the advantages of buying online at GeneTex?
Q4: How do I know if GeneTex has received my order?
Q5: How much does the product cost?
Q6: Do you offer bulk discounts?
Q9: What are your shipping and handling charges?
Q10: Do you have a distributor in my country?
Q11: Can I get a sample of an antibody to test?
Q12: What promotions does GeneTex currently have?
Q13: Who can I call if I have a question about a product?
There are several ways to place an order with GeneTex. You can:
Please be sure to include your billing address, shipping address, contact information (phone number, fax number, e-mail address), payment information (credit card number or purchase order number), and order details (catalog number and quantity).
To place an order on our website, you must first Register or Sign-in from our homepage at www.genetex.com and fill in the appropriate information. You can then add an item to your shopping cart through the item's data sheet or by using the quick order feature if you already know the catalog number. Once you have everything you need in your cart, simply checkout by following the instructions online and filling out the appropriate information.
To redeem your promotion code, please enter it in the Comments / Promo Code section when checking out. You will receive a second detailed order confirmation that reflects the discount when it has been processed.
There are several advantages to buying online at www.GeneTex.com. You can place your order using our secured server, check your order status, and create a wish list for future purchases.
Once your order is placed, we will send you a confirmation e-mail within one business day. If your order is placed with a fax number, we will send you a confirmation fax within one business day.
If you do not receive a confirmation email or fax within one business day, please contact our sales team at sales@genetex.com (US) or international@genetex.com (Global) to be sure we have received your order.
GeneTex strives to provide the highest quality antibodies at the lowest price possible. We want you to get the most research for your money. All of our prices are clearly marked on our online catalog at www.genetex.com. If you have any questions regarding product prices, please contact sales@genetex.com (US) or international@genetex.com (Global).
GeneTex does offer bulk discounts on most products ordered in quantities of ten or more. If you are interested in obtaining a bulk quote for one of our products, please contact sales@genetex.com for more information.
While we try to have every item in stock, some of our products may be either in production or in stock at one of our production facilities. Please inquire about the availability of an item by Contact Us.
We can ship anywhere in the world except Cuba. Some items may not be available in certain areas. Please see the online datasheet or contact info@genetex.com for more information.
Contact us or our local distributors to get more information about shipping and handling charges.
We do have distributors in many countries. Please see our Distributors Page for contact details for all of our authorized distributors. If there is no distributor in your country, you may order directly from us.
We are always open to suggestions for qualified distributors in new areas. If you wish to become a distributor or would like to recommend a distributor in your area please contact distributors@genetex.com.
We offer a significant number of our products in a 25μl trial size. You can always purchase the trial size to test on your sample before investing in a larger size. As we offer a 100% Guarantee on our products, you can always request a replacement or refund if a product does not meet the specifications stated on the datasheet.
We run different promotions on different products throughout the year in different countries. Please Contact us or our local distributors to get more information about current promotions.
In order to meet your needs, please contact sales@genetex.com for more information prior to purchasing. We will help you select the best product for your experiment.
Q1: At what temperature should I store my antibodies or reagents?
Q2: What volume should I make my antibody aliquots?
Q3: Does GeneTex offer any protocols for common antibody applications?
Q4: What are important parameters to consider when preparing protein samples for western blot?
Q5: Can I reuse diluted antibody solutions?
Q6: Why does the molecular weight (MW) of my protein on western blot differ from the predicted MW?
Please refer to each product’s datasheet for specific recommendations. Generally, for short-term (1-2 weeks) storage of antibodies, refrigerate at 4ºC. For longer storage times, aliquot and maintain at -20ºC or below in a non-frost-free freezer. Avoid multiple freeze-thaw cycles. If not stored properly, the performance of the product may be compromised.
The volume of the aliquots can be adjusted according to the particular requirements of the experiment(s) to be performed. However, since small volumes are more susceptible to external temperature, we recommend aliquots greater than 10 ul.
GeneTex does make some experimental protocols available on our website, though it is frequently the case that each lab will have their own procedures that will require optimization for each antibody/reagent. Please click here to view a list of general protocols.
Samples should be lysed in ice-cold buffer containing appropriate protease inhibitors (and phosphatase inhibitors for phosphorylated targets). Always keep the samples on ice and freeze aliquots to avoid multiple freeze-thaw cycles.
GeneTex is unable to guarantee that a diluted antibody will perform consistently when reused. This must be tested empirically by the researcher.
This usually results from structural alteration or variants of the protein, including post-translational modification, cleavage, isoforms or polymerization. Depending on the biology of the protein of interest, there may be specific bands that are smaller or larger than expected. Please refer to our discussion of observed/predicted MW for further information.
GeneTex is unable to guarantee that an antibody will work for an unstated species or application. In order to confirm that an antibody will meet your needs, please contact sales@genetex.com for more information prior to purchasing.
Be sure to load proper positive and negative controls to ensure that the WB procedure is performed correctly.
Q5: White bands on black blots
Q8: Irregular white stains on the blot
Possible reasons:
a. Inadequate cell lysis Ensure that cell lysis and protein extraction are properly.
b. Protein degradation Always add protease inhibitors to lysis buffer prior to cell lysis and perform protein extraction on ice to avoid protein degradation.
c. Low expression of protein of interest Increasing the amount of protein extract loaded on your gel may resolve this problem. If the protein of interest is expressed in a tissue- or cell type- specific manner, be sure to choose this specific tissue or cell type for your experiments.
d. The protein of interest is enriched in a specific organelle Biochemical fractionation of subcellular compartments may be necessary to detect this type of protein.
e. Expression of the protein of interest is induced only under certain conditions Check the relevant literature to see if any treatment (e.g., starvation or chemical agents) is required to induce adequate protein expression.
a. Incomplete transfer Make sure the PVDF membrane remains wet during the transfer. PVDF membranes must be “activated” by exposure to methanol prior to transfer. Consult the instruction manual explaining usage of PVDF membrane before the experiment. Reversible Ponceau S membrane staining is an easy step to confirm protein transfer.
b. Over-transfer Please adjust the electrical current and time frame for transfer. The conditions should be optimized according to the molecular weight of the target protein. Note that high molecular weight proteins may require a longer time to transfer.
a. Insufficient primary or secondary antibody being used Use the recommended antibody dilutions described on the product datasheet as a starting point for your experiment. For weakly expressed proteins, it may be necessary to increase the concentration of antibody. Avoid reusing primary antibodies whenever possible.
b. Insufficient incubation time with the primary antibody A one-hour incubation at room temperature is usually sufficient for detection of most proteins. In some cases, it may be necessary to increase the incubation time (e.g., incubate overnight at 4°C).
c. Incorrect secondary antibody used Confirm that the appropriate secondary antibody is used. Select a secondary antibody directed against the specific host species and immunoglobulin type for the primary antibody (i.e., a primary antibody raised in rabbit with isotype IgG will require an anti-rabbit IgG secondary antibody). All host species and isotype information can be found on the datasheet of the primary antibody.
d. Excessive washing of the membrane Three washes of 5~10 minutes each are sufficient to wash out the non-specific binding in most cases. Avoid excessive washing of the membrane, as this may reduce the amount of primary antibody bound to the target antigen.
Make sure the ECL reagents have not expired. ECL reagent will lose activity over time, so always prepare the reagent immediately prior to the detection reaction.
Sodium azide (NaN3) is an inhibitor of HRP and may quench HRP activity. Ensure that there is no sodium azide in the antibody dilution buffer and thoroughly wash the membrane before the detection reaction.
Possible reasons:
Post-translational modification(s) may result in multiple bands. The modified protein usually appears as a band(s) above the predicted molecular weight. Check the literature to see if there are any known modifications of the target protein.
Protein degradation also results in multiple bands. The degraded protein is commonly seen as multiple bands below the predicted molecular weight. Ensure that protease inhibitors have been added to the protein extraction buffer. Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles of the cell lysate.
Properly boil the samples to ensure appropriate protein denaturation. Remember that freshly added dithiothreitol (DTT) or 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) in the sample buffer is required for the reduction of disulfide bonds.
Refer to literature and search on BLAST for the protein of interest. Load a recommended positive control.
Decrease the concentration of primary antibody or reduce the incubation time.
Decrease the concentration of secondary antibody. Incubate with a secondary antibody only (without primary antibody) as a control.
Increase the duration of washing or increase the concentration of detergents in the wash buffer.
Possible reasons:
Adjust the concentration of the primary or secondary antibody.
Decrease the time of exposure of the membrane.
Increase the incubation time with blocking buffer, and ensure that an appropriate blocking buffer is being used.
Increase the duration of washing or increase the concentration of detergents in the wash buffer.
Change the blocking buffer (e.g., from non-fat milk to 3%~5% BSA or use a protein-free blocking buffer)
Keep the PVDF membrane wet during incubation.
Select the appropriate type of membrane for your experiment (e.g., PVDF membrane is more sensitive than nitrocellulose membrane).
Possible reasons:
Decrease the amount of protein loaded on the gel.
Verify that the SDS-PAGE gel mix is correctly prepared and that the poured gel polymerizes completely. For gels stored at 4°C, confirm that they have not dried out.
Possible reasons:
Reduce the concentration of primary and/or secondary antibody.
Decrease the amount of purified protein or cell lysate loaded on the gel.
Possible reasons:
Ensure that reagents are stored properly. If possible, prepare fresh reagents prior to each experiment.
Verify that the blocking reagent (e.g., non-fat powdered milk) is completely dissolved. If necessary, filter the blocking reagent.
Possible reasons:
Verify that the SDS-PAGE gel mix is correctly prepared and that the poured gel polymerizes completely. For gels stored at 4°C, confirm that they have not dried out.
Slow the SDS-PAGE gel running speed by reducing the voltage.
“Smiling” of migrating proteins can be caused by excessive running temperatures. To prevent this, run the gel at a lower voltage or cool the gel by running it in a cold room or on ice.
Possible reasons:
Confirm that all air bubbles are removed before transfer.
Verify that the membrane is covered by a sufficient volume of reagents during incubation.
Possible reasons:
Confirm that all air bubbles are removed before transfer.
Verify that the membrane is covered by a sufficient volume of reagents during incubation.
Load positive and negative controls to ensure the ICC/IF procedure is performed correctly. ICC/IF results can vary depending on the protocol, so we recommend following the provided procedure first.
Q2: High background and/ or non-specific staining
Possible reasons:
Consult the literature to confirm cell/tissue expression of the target protein and perform a western blot to detect the target protein in the target cell or tissue. As an alternative, use a transfected cell line.
Increase incubation time in permeabilization buffer. Use Triton X-100 or NP40 to permeabilize cell if the target protein is located in the nucleus.
Choose the best method for sample fixation. For example, 4% paraformaldehyde may be more appropriate for membrane-associated proteins. Organic solvents (e.g., methanol or ethanol) may not be suitable for membrane-associated proteins.
Adjust the concentration of primary antibody or secondary antibody. Confirm that the primary and secondary antibodies are compatible (i.e., if your primary antibody was raised in rabbit, use a secondary antibody that reacts with rabbit).
Adjust the incubation time with the primary antibody (e.g., incubate overnight at 4°C).
Store fluorophore-conjugated antibodies in the dark. Always protect the secondary antibody from light during the experiment.
Wash the slides gently and do not soak in washing buffer for extended periods of time.
Ensure that the appropriate blocking buffer is being used.
Reduce the salt concentration in the binding or washing buffers.
Possible reasons:
Please note that overexpression of the protein may lead to aberrant localization.
Reduce the concentration of the primary or secondary antibody.
Include a “secondary antibody only” control in which slides are incubated in the presence of secondary antibody alone (without primary antibody).
Incubate the sample with primary antibody at 4°C.
Decrease the time of incubation with primary or secondary antibody.
Reduce the time of fixation.
Select a suitable blocking reagent. Make sure that the IgG in blocking reagent (i.e., in normal serum or in some BSA preps) will not cross-react with the secondary antibody.
Increase the number and/or duration of washing steps.
Maintain the samples in humid conditions during the experiment.
Load positive and negative controls to ensure the IHC procedure is performed correctly. IHC results can vary depending on the protocol, so we recommend following the provided procedure first.
Q2: High background and/or non-specific staining
Possible reasons:
Consult the literature to confirm tissue expression of the target protein and perform a western blot to detect the target protein in the selected tissue sample.
Perform the recommended antigen retrieval method to unmask the epitope. It may be necessary to reduce the duration of fixation.
Adjust the concentration of primary antibody or secondary antibody. Make sure the primary and secondary antibodies are compatible (i.e., if your primary antibody was raised in rabbit, use a secondary antibody that reacts with rabbit).
Adjust the incubation time with the primary antibody (e.g., incubate overnight at 4°C).
Store fluorophore-conjugated antibodies in the dark. Always protect the secondary antibody from light during the experiment.
Adjust the time of deparaffinization. Make sure the xylene solution is fresh.
Wash the slides gently and do not soak in washing buffer for extended periods of time.
Ensure that the appropriate blocking buffer is being used.
Possible reasons:
Please note that overexpression of the protein may lead to aberrant localization.
Reduce the concentration of the primary or secondary antibody.
Include a “secondary antibody only” control in which slides are incubated in the presence of secondary antibody alone (without primary antibody).
Incubate the sample with primary antibody at 4°C.
Decrease the incubation time for the primary or secondary antibody.
Select a suitable blocking reagent. Make sure that the IgG in blocking reagent (i.e., in normal serum or in some BSA preps) will not cross-react with the secondary antibody.
Increase the number and/or duration of washing steps.
If using a peroxidase-conjugated secondary antibody, pretreat the sample with the Endogenous Peroxidase Blocking Kit (GTX30967) prior to incubation with primary antibody.
If using an alkaline phosphatase-conjugated secondary antibody, pretreat the sample with the Endogenous Alkaline Phosphatase Blocking Kit (GTX30968) prior to applying the AP system used for detection.
Pretreat the sample with the Avidin/Biotin Blocking Kit (GTX30966) or Streptavidin/Biotin Blocking Kit (GTX30965) prior to incubation with primary antibody.
Maintain the samples in humid conditions during the experiment.