An improved technique for rapid autoradiography of cells and tissue sections.

We have demonstrated a method for autoradiography of cell and tissue preparations which is both rapid and safe. The method utilizes only the primary scintillator, PPO, placed under the final emulsion to facilitate activation of the silver grains in the emulsion. Exposure of the autoradiographs is complete under the conditions described within 4 h at ambient temperature. The method is sensitive to exposure time and to the concentration of added radioisotope. The exclusion of volatile, toxic chemicals from the preparations allows the experiments to be performed without any health hazard to the investigator.