In my experience, liquid nitrogen makes a lot of freezing artifact in muscle tissue. I have found no better substitue for isopentane if you want quality morphology in you specimen. We store it in an explosion proof cabinet. Jo Mauger
>>> "Tony Henwood" <antho...@chw.edu.au> 12/16/08 6:19 PM >>> Try liquid nitrogen Regards Tony Henwood JP, MSc, BAppSc, GradDipSysAnalys, CT(ASC) Laboratory Manager & Senior Scientist Tel: 612 9845 3306 Fax: 612 9845 3318 the children's hospital at westmead Cnr Hawkesbury Road and Hainsworth Street, Westmead Locked Bag 4001, Westmead NSW 2145, AUSTRALIA -----Original Message----- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Dana Settembre Sent: Wednesday, 17 December 2008 5:27 AM To: carmen loiselle; pathology education Subject: Re: [Histonet] Isopentane Hello Carmen, Sorry I have no alternative. I know most labs use that. When I worked in a neuropathology lab the isopentane was kept in the refrigerator - an explosion proof one. I believe that means there's no lightbulb inside and no inner working of a lightbulb inside either. Dana Settembre, HT ASCP Immunohistochemistry Lab UMDNJ - University Hospital Newark, NJ USA >>> carmen loiselle <carmen_loise...@hotmail.com> 12/16/08 12:24 PM >>> Hello , I currently work in a neuromuscular lab and all muscle biopsies received should be cut frozen, no formalin fixed tissues. My concern though, is to work with isopentane , a well known excellent heat conductor but also it has the bad reputation of being very explosive. In fact , I've been told that few years ago, a lab close by of where I work , did explode because of this solution. Is there , in your knowledge, any other chemical we can use as replacement and that give as good results. Any input will be greatly appreciated Merry XMas to all and happy New Year _________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ********************************************************************* This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete it and notify the sender. Views expressed in this message and any attachments are those of the individual sender, and are not necessarily the views of The Children's Hospital at Westmead This note also confirms that this email message has been virus scanned and although no computer viruses were detected, The Childrens Hospital at Westmead accepts no liability for any consequential damage resulting from email containing computer viruses. ********************************************************************** _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet