[Histonet] Auto-IHC Staining Issues

[Jan Shivers]

Suggestions:

1)  If it's compatible with the autostainer that you're using, add a 
surfactant such as Tween 20 (0.05%) to your buffer rinse solution, in order 
to cut the surface tension and allow the staining reagents to flow across 
your slides more evenly.

2)  If it's possible, add more volume of dispensed reagents to each slide.

3)  If it won't affect your positive staining intensity, decrease the 
incubation times in reagents.

4)  Make sure there isn't an excess of air flow across your slides (gap in 
autostainer cover seal).

5)  Make sure your autostainer is level.

6)  As others have mentioned, make sure that your slides are completely 
dewaxed.

Jan Shivers
UMN VDL

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paula Lucas" <plucas <@t> biopath.org>
To: <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 6:04 PM
Subject: [Histonet] Auto-IHC Staining Issues


Hello,

I've been having a problem with the staining quality from an auto-IHC 
stainer and I was wondering if any of you experience the same thing.

I notice sometimes that the staining in the tissue isn't complete, like 
there are areas where the fluid (one or more of the steps involved) didn't 
get in contact with the tissue, thus resulting in patchy, skipped staining.

I'm thinking that this must be a dispensing problem.

Is this a general thing with all auto stainers - ones like DAKO or Lab 
Vision's stainer or Biocare Medical's stainer?  These stainers dispense 
fluid onto the slide.

I hope this explains things and I really hope that I can get some feedback. 
It's getting very frustrating.

Thanks in advance,
Paula Lucas
Lab Manager
Bio-Path Medical Group
Fountain Valley, CA

_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet