X-Message-Number: 13245 Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 10:54:03 -0800 (PST) From: Doug Skrecky <> Subject: polyethylene glycol embedding Partial dehydration of transplant organs may help in vitrification. However a safe and quick way to remove moisture is needed. Dehydration using the circulatory system appears to be the only viable alternative. One variant of this might use a non-toxic hygroscopic liquid. Low molecular weight polyethylene glycols might fit the bill here. (see below) ____________________________________________________________ Authors Mowery J. Chesner J. Spangenberger S. Hixson DC. Institution Brown University-Rhode Island Hospital, Providence 02902. Title Rapid low molecular weight polyethylene glycol embedding protocol for immunocytochemistry. Source Journal of Histochemistry & Cytochemistry. 37(10):1549-52, 1989 Oct. Abstract We describe an alternative polyethylene glycol (PEG) embedding procedure which utilizes PEG 200 for dehydration and PEG 600 for infiltration and embedding of perfusion-fixed rat liver. PEG 600 has a melting point of 22 degrees C, enabling infiltration of fixed tissue to be performed at room temperature. Sections (2 microM) cut in a cryostat at -20 degrees C and immobilized in agarose were readily labeled by immunoperoxidase protocols with monoclonal antibodies to hepatocyte membrane antigens. Subsequent examination by light microscopy or by electron microscopy after re-embedding in resin and ultra-thin sectioning showed excellent preservation of morphology, with minimal impairment of antigenicity. Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=13245