[Histonet] Re: Removing MMA

[Damien Laudier]

Hi Bernice,



If you have any intentions of putting this sample on an enclosed tissue
processor for paraffin infiltration, after methacrylate removal, you must
remove every trace of methyl methacrylate monomer. Traces (even small
traces) of methacrylate monomer can wreck havoc on most enclosed tissue
processor solvent-transfer lines and pump gaskets; you could end up  with a
very expensive repair bill. For transferring into paraffin, you’re better
off treating these samples as you would treat a section you wish to
deplasticize. Assuming your sample was properly fixed and processed from the
beginning, xylene or toluene will do the job of breaking down the
polymerized methacrylate just fine.  Once the trimmed-down block has
dissolved down, several more changes are required to remove the methacrylate
and avoid potential carryover danger. As an additional safeguard, I would
take the sample back to 200 proof ethanol or 100% reagent ethanol for a
couple of changes & then start the paraffin infiltration process with the
last ethanol step on your processor. If you need to decalcify this sample,
then you can just continue on back to water and start from the beginning.
Yes, you can do any tinctorial stain on your ground sections if etched well
beforehand.



-Damien L.