[Histonet] "GOLD" slides??

[Gayle Callis]

Have always been under the impression these are for use with frozen 
sections as the package insert states (quote):

1.  Inherently tissue binding so there is no need for sprays or adhesives 
with these slides.

2.  Allow plus gold slides to contact the forzen sections directly in 
cryostat using standard technic

3.  Place slide horizontally on table top at room temp for 2- 30 seconda 
for fresh tissue (frozens) or 1 minutes for fixed 
frozen   sections.    There was more info here, but the longer the bonding 
time, the better the frozen sections adhere to slides.

4.  Postfix in acetone or alcohol based fixative, postfixation in NBF is 
not recommended.  Stain per a standard protocol.

I am not so sure that "nothing" falls off these slides.  They are far more 
expensive than the regular Plus charge, the boxes we have had only 25 
slides.  These little gold nuggets were approx double the cost of regular 
plus charge,  We have used them with problematic frozen sections, but not 
for for formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) sections.  There are people 
who use them for FFPE sections, swear by their holding capabilities - there 
are replies on Histonet about using them.  The only time we can justify the 
cost is with a really problematic frozen section release and if that is a 
terrible problem, we go to the Cryojane where the sections do NOT release 
from the surface.

Erie Scientific also developed another coated slide, called Extra for use 
with EDTA antigen retrieval.  Apparently high pH EDTA raises havoc with a 
glass slide surface, basically chelates ions from the surface, leading to 
release of sections.  If this is a problem you experience you should 
contact Erie Scientific for specifics.

Our fisher cat. no. was 22-035813, which may have changed since we bought 
the slides.
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)