[Histonet] How dark is dark enough?

[Morken, Timothy]

If you are using an automated stainer the plexiglas cover that they all have will block UV light. For instance we run all our IF in a Dako stainer with the slightly tinted Plexiglas and have not had any problems.  If staining manually in  a tray, covering with something to block light is ok. On the other hand, I can't really say I've had a problem even with no light blocking. The incubations are usually so short it may not make a difference. Consider that the focused UV light in the fluorescence scope is thousands of times stronger than any overhead tube and it still takes a while for the signal to dim. 

Tim Morken
Supervisor, Histology, Electron Microscopy and Neuromuscular Special Studies
UC San Francisco Medical Center
San Francisco, CA

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-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Paula Sicurello
Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2015 7:21 AM
To: HistoNet
Subject: [Histonet] How dark is dark enough?

Good Morning Netters,

While running immunofluorescence stains, how dark is dark enough?

I have worked in labs where we did them in full room light, almost complete darkness (developing negative/film darkness), and somewhere in between.

I feel that dimmed lights are good enough.

What does the histology collective think?

Thanks in advance!

Paula  :-)
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