[Histonet] PFA preparation

[ejschmid <@t> ucalgary.ca]

Hi,

   So then what is the best way to prepare formaldehyde fixative from PFA?

   The way I have been taught, which differs from what I have read, is to
dissolve 4% into ddH2O at room temperature. After that one could add
PBS or buffer.

   I've also been taught that too much heat during preparation "degrades"
PFA, and that PFA (or formaldehyde solution, rather) stored too long
will lose freshness because it "degrades."

   What I read is different. Texts suggest to dissolve the PFA in warm
water, and that aging of the fix is due to repolymerization, not
through degradation.

What should i do?

Eric Schmidt

University of Calgary
Medical Sciences