[Histonet] isopropanol for tissue processing

[Wheelock, Timothy R.]

Hi Julio:

I have been using isopropanol for as long as I can remember.
I work only with post-mortem brain tissue (in standard-sized cassettes) in a neuropathology laboratory at a brain tissue bank.
Because the brains have been previously fixed in  10% neutral buffered formalin for a month, I do not have to use formalin on the processor.
Anyway, I start out with 30% isopropanol, then 50%, 80%, 95%, 3 stations of 100%,  3 stations of xylene, then into  paraffin.
I cannot remember whether we used isopropanol in surgical histology years ago, when I was at another hospital, but I think we did.
Good luck,

Tim

Tim Wheelock
Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center
McLean Hospital
Belmont, MA, USA

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Julio Benavides
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2014 9:13 AM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] isopropanol for tissue processing

Hi,

In our histology lab, we are considering to move from ethanol to isopropanol for processing formalin fixed samples (post mortem samples, so big samples). I have been diving in the histonet archives and have found that the subject has been laready discussed, but somehow I cannot find a definitive message stating "Yes, we have tried and it works perfectly. This is our protocol".  So here I am, writing the forum to see if anyone can kindly confirm that the move from ethanol to isopropanol is not a traumatic one, and if any of you has eliminated the xylene as clearing agent as well (and what have you used instead. 
Isopropanol/paraffin at 50c or straight into paraffin?)

I have been speaking with Rene J Buesa who, besides a very helpful person, is highly enthusiast in the use of isopropanol. He has almost converted me to the isopropanol side!


Thank you very much for your time and help

Regards

Julio Benavides
Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-University of Leon) Spain



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