While every vendor strives to provide their customers with a product catalog that is as comprehensive as possible, the nature of IHC makes it impossible for every vendor to offer every marker in every format. Therefore, instrument vendors make it possible for customers to purchase empty reagent containers and use them to program and load […]
Biocare’s MACH detection line utilizes the most sensitive detection technology available to provide users with crisp, clean, intense IHC staining. Customers have the choice of several MACH detection kits, depending on their staining needs. However, with so many options available, it can be difficult to make a decision. Customers should asses the capabilities of each […]
For decades, the rich brown stain produced by DAB has made it the chromogen of choice for IHC stains. However, precautions must be taken due to the fact that DAB is a known mutagen and potential carcinogen. Since DAB is considered a hazardous material, disposal of DAB-contaminated waste is subject to environmental, health and safety […]
Antigen retrieval (AR) is a fundamental part of any IHC protocol. However, with so many different names for this one process, it can be difficult to recognize what an individual protocol or paper is referring to. Why is it sometimes called “retrieval” and other times simply “pretreatment?” Is ER the same as AR? What is […]
In the preparation of paraffin sections for staining, fixation and processing go hand in hand. Proper tissue fixation ensures tissue processing will be effective, and a lab’s chosen processing method may also influence their choice of fixative.1 Errors in the processing stage have the potential to seriously affect staining quality. However, because tissue specimens vary […]
A reality of the medical industry today is that space is at a premium. Whether it is in a hospital environment or independent practice, medical laboratories face space constraints. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) laboratories have dealt with this squeeze by optimizing workflow and carefully managing their inventory. However, storage areas may remain scarce and over-utilized despite their […]
As a leader in the fields of immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH), Biocare Medical has, for more than 20 years, offered a variety of instruments used in these staining procedures. Biocare has instruments that can meet your need for high-quality staining at a reasonable cost, whether your lab regularly performs a high volume […]
Wash buffers are an integral part of immunohistochemical (IHC) procedures. They are used after each incubation step to wash away excess reagent from the specimen and maintain a constant pH by “soaking up” any free hydrogen (H+) ions. This feature helps maintain the morphological characteristics of antibodies and their epitopes, which enables specific binding. The […]
Proper optimization is vital for successful immunohistochemical (IHC) testing. An optimal IHC protocol can be characterized by its ability to consistently and unambiguously determine how the antigen is expressed in the tissue. Optimization is fundamental to reducing the risk of both false positive and false negative results.1 The protocol must be able to identify both […]
Regular cleaning is an essential part of instrument maintenance, but what happens if you don’t have Lysol? Following recommended cleaning procedures to remove residues and sterilize instrument components will improve instrument performance and help extend the instrument’s lifespan. This white paper looks at Lysol alternatives for cleaning to ensure your automation platform keeps running perfectly! […]