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Related Concept Videos

Fixation and Sectioning01:03

Fixation and Sectioning

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Two basic types of preparation are used to visualize specimens with a light microscope: wet mounts and fixed specimens.
The simplest type of preparation is the wet mount, in which the specimen is placed in a drop of liquid on the slide. A liquid specimen can be directly deposited on the slide using a dropper. Solid specimens, such as skin scraping, can be placed on the slide before adding a drop of liquid to prepare the wet mount. Sometimes the liquid is simply water, but stains are often added...
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To be visualized by an electron microscope, either transmission or scanning, biological samples need to be fixed (stabilized) so the electron beam does not destroy them and dried thoroughly (desiccated/dehydrated) so the vacuum does not affect them. Fixation needs to be done as quickly as possible because the sample properties will start changing as soon as it is removed from its natural environment. For example, in a tissue sample, the oxygen levels begin decreasing, causing an altered...
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Optimized Bone Sampling Protocols for the Retrieval of Ancient DNA from Archaeological Remains
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Optimizing specimen processing for ancient soft tissue specimens.

G Prats-Muñoz1, A Malgosa, A Isidro

  • 1GROB, Biologic Anthropology Unit, BABVE Department, University Autonomous of Barcelona , 08193.

Biotechnic & Histochemistry : Official Publication of the Biological Stain Commission
|January 4, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Optimizing ancient soft tissue processing requires tailored methods. Desiccated tissues benefit from Ruffer's solution and heat, while saponified tissues need slow rehydration without heat for best paleohistological results.

Keywords:
adipoceredesiccationfixationhistochemistrymummified tissuerehydration

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Area of Science:

  • Paleohistology
  • Taphonomy
  • Biomolecular archaeology

Background:

  • Processing ancient soft tissues is crucial for paleohistological analysis.
  • Existing methods often overlook taphonomic alterations, impacting tissue preservation.
  • Optimizing processing techniques is essential for accurate interpretation of ancient biological materials.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate and optimize histological processing methods for ancient soft tissues.
  • To determine the best rehydration solutions, fixation methods, and heat exposure for different taphonomic states.
  • To improve the quality of paleohistological sections for diagnostic purposes.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated rehydration solutions (Ruffer's, Sandison's), fixatives (Schaffer's, formaldehyde), and heat exposure.
  • Evaluated processes based on section thickness, tissue fragmentation, architectural definition, and stain penetration.
  • Compared methods for desiccated and saponified ancient soft tissue samples.

Main Results:

  • Desiccated tissues: Ruffer's solution (rehydration) and Schaffer's solution (fixation) with heating optimized tissue architecture and stain penetration.
  • Saponified tissues: Sandison's solution (rehydration) and formaldehyde (fixation) without heat yielded the best, least fragmented histological sections.
  • Tailoring procedures to the specific taphonomic condition of the specimen is critical.

Conclusions:

  • Histological processing protocols for ancient soft tissues must be adapted to the sample's taphonomic condition.
  • Specific solutions and conditions (e.g., heat) are beneficial for desiccated but detrimental for saponified tissues.
  • Optimized paleohistological techniques enhance diagnostic capabilities in the study of ancient biological remains.