[Histonet] PMMA sections sticking to plastic

[Gayle Callis]

Handi wrap will not stick to superglue either - we used it as spacer 
between 100 um or thicker sections when supergluing these secions to a 
white plastic slide, then clamping or weighting down to let glue "set up".

Haupts gelatin also is a common gelatin based adhesive for MMA sections but 
you don't need to bother with plus charge when using this, once the plus 
charge is coated with a protein,  you have rendered it useless.  You can 
save the expense and just use regular slides with Haupts or any other 
gelatin coating.

I loved the pink eraser idea, gentle, softer and must conform to the 
surface nicely when clamped firmly.




At 10:38 AM 8/22/2005, you wrote:
>Some years ago, when we were first setting up for PMMA, we experimented with
>various kinds of plastic wraps and other polymer films.  We quickly
>discovered that plastic wraps are not all the same. Several of them adhered
>to the PMMA after oven drying, just as you described.  We finally settled on
>a product called Handi-Wrap, manufactured by Dow Chemical Co., and available
>at the supermarket.  I have been using it ever since, and have never again
>encountered this problem, whether I use + slides, gelatin-coated slides,
>chrome-gelatin, PVA, or other adhesives.
>
>Personally though, I don't think that + slides alone, without additional
>adhesive, provide sufficient adhesion of the tissue to the slide in PMMA
>work (at least not for bone). I usually use Sta-On by Surgipath, which is a
>chrome-gelatin product, in an 80 degree waterbath.  Otherwise my method is
>essentially the same as yours.  Except I like pink rubber erasers between
>the slides and the clamp, rather than tongue depressors.
>
> > ----------
> > From:         histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu on behalf of
> > Johnson, Teri
> > Sent:         Monday, August 22, 2005 8:30 AM
> > To:   Histonet
> > Subject:      [Histonet] PMMA sections sticking to plastic
> >
> > <<File: ATT302936.txt>>
> > We're having some problems with our PMMA sections adhering to the
> > plastic instead of the glass slide.  After sectioning, we place the
> > sections on a plus slide (+ charged) flooded with 50% alcohol.  We
> > stretch the section, place a strip of plastic wrap over it, and roll it
> > flat.  We will then stack 10 or so slides like this together with tongue
> > depressors at the top and bottom, and clamp them together.  We will
> > leave them in a 60 degree oven overnight (at least).  After we remove
> > them from the oven, we are unable to peel the plastic off the slides
> > without the sections coming off as well.
> >
> > The last time this happened, I proceeded with deplasticizing using
> > xylene and MEA (recommended by the Technovit instructions) and kept the
> > plastic wrap on the slides.  I was able to remove it by eventually
> > placing the slides in acetone.  Is there an easier way?
> >
> > Best wishes,
> >
> > Teri Johnson
> > Managing Director Histology Facility
> > Stowers Institute for Medical Research
> > 1000 E. 50th St.
> > Kansas City, MO 64133
> >
> >
> >
>
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Gayle Callis
Research Histopathology Supervisor
Veterinary Molecular Biology
Montana State University - Bozeman
PO Box 173610
Bozeman MT 59717-3610
406 994-6367
406 994-4303 (FAX)