[Histonet] Universal (protein) block for IHC

[Vinnie Della Speranza]

we use skim milk as our daily protein block and have done so for about two years.. it works fine and our immunos look great. I would recommend it as a suitable alternative.


Vinnie Della Speranza
Manager for Anatomic Pathology Services
Medical University of South Carolina
165 Ashley Avenue  Suite 309
Charleston, SC 29425
Ph: 843-792-6353
fax: 843-792-8974

>>> Philip Oshel <peoshel <@t> wisc.edu> 04/07/05 11:00AM >>>
Kathy,

Casein is the main protein in milk. Skim milk has lots more stuff in 
it than just casein, and who knows what that's doing to your sections?

Phil

>I thought casein was just a fancy name for skim milk.  I use it
>sometimes as an avidin block by making a 5% solution out of cheap dried
>milk.
>
>Kathy
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
>[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Kelly D
>Mcqueeney
>Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2005 4:42 PM
>To: Johnson, Teri
>Cc: Histonet
>Subject: Re: [Histonet] Universal (protein) block for IHC
>
>Hi Teri,
>I noticed a decrease in specific staining when I plugged it into my
>protocol. I made it myself and it was a big pain. Buy it! Try increasing
>
>antibody concentration on a few slides and see what happens. I never use
>
>a block with my secondary.
>
>Good luck!
>
>Johnson, Teri wrote:
>
>>Has anybody converted to using a universal protein block (casein) for
>>their immunohistochemistry protocols rather than using species specific
>>normal sera?  For those who have made the conversion, did you have to
>>make any changes to your methodology or did you just plug it in to your
>>protocol and run?  Did you notice any difference in the staining
>>intensity for known antibodies (stronger, weaker, no change)?  Are you
>>also using it as a secondary antibody diluent or for washes?  Finally,
>>are you using commercially available reagent or are you making your
>own?
>>
>>Thanks so much!
>>
>>
>>Teri Johnson
>>Managing Director Histology Facility
>>Stowers Institute for Medical Research
>>1000 E. 50th St.
>>Kansas City, Missouri  64110
>>tjj <@t> stowers-institute.org 
>>
>>
>>
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>
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-- 
Philip Oshel
Supervisor, BBPIC microscopy facility
Department of Animal Sciences
University of Wisconsin
1675 Observatory Drive
Madison,  WI  53706
voice: (608) 263-4162
fax: (608) 262-5157 (dept. fax)

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