[Histonet] GMA and Humidity?

[Gayle Callis]

The GMA will be affected by humidity to the point that softened plastic is 
sometimes a problem to section.  Just place your blocks in a dessicator or 
some type of plastic box with a lid (rubbermaid, etc) containing a 
dessicant i.e. anhydrous calcium chloride inside a mesh bag (recycled knee 
high nylons are good!) contains this stuff.    Let blocks sit overnight or 
several hours to keep plastic from water exposure.

Drierite is a good dessicant , comes in bulk, and is anhydrous calcium 
chloride with a blue indicator so you know when it is exhausted - it turns 
pinkish.   16 mesh silica gel with indicator from Fisher work is another 
and also good and doesn't exfoliate fine CaCL2 dust.

09:14 AM 3/28/2006, you wrote:
>Hello,
>
>I am new to the GMA process - we just started method development about a 
>month ago.  Thank you for all of your replies regarding H&E staining.  I 
>haven't had the opportunity to try any of them yet, but it's on my list 
>for this week.
>
>My new question is - I have been reading a lot regarding GMA and 
>humidity.  We are currently using the JB-4 kit, and have not had any 
>problems yet; however, it's still chilly here and the humidity hasn't 
>kicked in yet.  I live in southern Indiana, the heart of humidity country 
>in the summer and fall!!  And our building facilitators sometime have 
>trouble controlling the humidity inside when it's 90 degrees with 95% 
>humidity outside.  What type of problems should I expect, and is there 
>something that gives less humidity problems than JB-4?
>Thank you,
>Leslie Duncan
>Bristol-Myers Squibb, PRI
>
>
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Gayle Callis
MT,HT,HTL(ASCP)
Research Histopathology Supervisor
Veterinary Molecular Biology
Montana State University - Bozeman
PO Box 173610
Bozeman MT 59717-3610
406 994-6367
406 994-4303 (FAX)