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Protocol for HER2 FISH Using a Non-cross-linking, Formalin-free Tissue Fixative to Combine Advantages of Cryo-preservation and Formalin Fixation
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Ionic liquids in embalming and tissue preservation. Can traditional formalin-fixation be replaced safely?

Przemysław Majewski1, Agnieszka Pernak, Marian Grzymisławski

  • 1K. Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.

Acta Histochemica
|July 2, 2003
PubMed

Ionic liquids (ILs) can be used for embalming and tissue preservation. ILs does not cause tissue damage and the tissue colour remains unaltered after treatment. Microscopical morphology of tissues fixed in ILs is of better quality than that of tissues fixed in formalin. Tissue preservation depends on the type of ILs. Best results were obtained with 1-methyl-3-octyloxymethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, the density of which resembles that of water. The salt is nonvaporous and when used as a formalin substitute, it eliminates health hazards in the pathological laboratory.

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