[Histonet] So... I Need Some Expert Advice (forum for information):

[Nicole Collette]

Hi, All,

I'm not generally one to put in my two cents' worth, but today I'm 
feeling especially chipper.
In my world, (idealistic optimist that I am), I would love to see 
something like a cross between PLoS One, Wikipedia, and Cold Spring 
Harbor protocols- A mainstream, accepted (or widely used but still 
not definitive) protocol, or commonly used equipment, with links to 
discussion for individual steps or reagents. For example, fixing 
tissue would list a set of reagents, a basic process, and reagents or 
steps that are often up for debate (Why use NBF? what is 
paraformaldehyde? what does glutaraldehyde do? How do you get that 
picric acid yellow out?) would be associated with a link to 
discussion, so that people who are just looking for the facts can 
have them readily available, without side comments, and those who 
want to know the nitty gritty details that cause controversy can make 
their own judgements, or add their own comments. Now, I'm not at all 
technologically able to build this resource, but would give anyone 
who wanted to take it on an "Attaboy!" or "Attagirl! " And if you do, 
please send me the link ;) There's a lot of good info here, and some 
really great expertise, but finding it threaded through the archives 
is not the easiest way to find this stuff, and it is evident by the 
discussions that come up over and over. Thanks for listening! Keep up 
the good work!

Sincerely,
Nicole Collette


_ At 10:13 AM -0600 4/2/09, O'Donnell, Bill wrote:
>I'm not in total disagreement with Barry. The FAQ is a good place to
>start, and it might be all we need, but I wonder it shouldn't be
>revisited just to be sure. There seems to be a lot of questions lately
>on some of the basics as well as queries about instrumentation.
>
>My question would be this:
>
>In light of different internet technologies, would a blog format be an
>acceptable way of handling or grouping some of these issues? I'm
>certainly not advocating a change in Histonet, as it is a fine format
>that is serving the community well.
>
>I'm just offering this as a possibile answer to Barry's concern, if
>others find his concern worth looking into.
>
>Just a thought.
>
>William (Bill) O'Donnell, HT (ASCP) QIHC
>Lead Histologist
>Good Samaritan Hospital
>10 East 31st Street
>Kearney, NE 68847
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Rittman,
>Barry R
>Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2009 10:45 AM
>To: HISTONET
>Subject: RE: [Histonet] So... I Need Some Expert Advice:
>
>Might I suggest that what we need on Histonet is to deal with some basic
>questions in histology that have never been answered in detail but have
>only been touched upon.
>Histonet has a great deal of expertise and it seems we should be asking
>these major questions.
>Topics such as what is optimal time of fixing, best waxes etc. and why
>should be issues here.
>My perception is that we often will give personal opinions as to what
>the best techniques or materials are but not the science behind the
>rational for choosing these, maybe because we do not know. However I
>feel that this is an area that we need to expand.
>Hope that this makes sense. I've had a week of family medical issues,
>broken plumbing under the house (guess that better than personal
>plumbing being broken!), two computer crashes and fire ants to name only
>the major ones.
>There is therefore, in my opinion, no way to go but up from here so can
>we hear your views please?
>Barry
>
>
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