Rankin Gives Back to the Community

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Rankin Biomedical donated a variety of laboratory supplies to Lake Fenton High School. From syringes to block heaters and stainless steel instruments, the supplies are being put to great use in Biology, Chemistry and Physics classes!

#6 IHC Nuts and Bolts

Procedures

Immunohistochemistry Educational Series In previous installments of the IHC Educational Series, we discussed the specifics of the basic procedures found in the IHC laboratory: immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Even though these are different procedures, they all require the following support procedures.Whenever a new antibody (or probe) is ordered for use by a pathologist …

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#5: In Situ Hybridization

In situ hybridization

In the previous segments of the IHC Educational Series, immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase methods were discussed.  In both of these methods, antibodies are used to bind to and localize protein antigens in tissue sections.  Additionally, the differences between the use of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies had been described. Another immunohistochemical method is “in situ hybridization”. The …

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2019 Michigan Microscopy and Microanalysis Society Meeting

2019 Michigan Microscopy and Microanalysis Society Meeting

Rankin attended the 2019 Michigan Microscopy and Microanalysis Society (MMMS) Meeting held at Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing, MI on October 31, 2019. Rankin’s tie-in to the MMMS meeting was by invitation from Victoria Kimler, PhD, CMA, the lab manager of the Ocular Structure and Imaging Lab at Oakland University’s Eye Research …

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#4: Antibodies

In the previous units of this series, the immunohistochemical (IHC) methods of immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase were described and discussed.  These methods use antibodies to localize cellular proteins in tissue sections, which can then be visualized in either a dark field fluorescence microscope or routine bright field microscope.  It is important to understand antibody structure and …

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#3: Immunoperoxidase

In the previous segment, immunofluorescence methods were discussed.  These methods use antibodies labelled with fluorescein to directly localize cellular proteins in tissue sections, which can then be visualized in a dark field fluorescence microscope.  Despite the advantages of this method, science is always in search of newer methods to gain more knowledge.  Thus in 1970 …

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#2 Immunofluorescence

Before we discuss immunofluorescence, we need to know what fluorescence is.  There are certain substances, composed of molecules that will emit light when irradiated by a short wavelength, such as X-rays or ultraviolet (UV) light.  The emitted light is of a longer wavelength which has a lower energy.  Two substances that are used in microscopy …

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#1 Introduction to Immunohistochemistry

Introduction to Immunohistochemistry

Anthony van Leeuwenhoek is credited with being the first person to use a microscope to view tiny “animacules” in 1674. At approximately the same time, Robert Hooke used a similar microscope to view thin slices of cork. The structures that he observed resembled the tiny cells that monks lived in at the local monastery, so …

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#7 Tissue Processing Artifacts

Theory, Chemistry And Physics of Tissue Artefacts

The most noticeable tissue processing artifacts are the wrinkles and tears in the tissue sections which are evident even at low power (Figure 1).  Incomplete fixation would not cause such artifacts, as the cellular histology is acceptable (i.e. nuclear and cytoplasmic staining is within quality control limits).  Improper embedding would also not be the cause …

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#6 Understanding Tissue Processor Procedures

Understanding Tissue Processor Procedures

Tissue Processing Standard tissue processing may be carried out on any number of open and closed tissue processors, although closed processors are preferred due to safety concerns, both for the tissues and laboratory personnel.  Closed system processors are “smart’ enough to prevent tissues from drying out in the event of a power failure, and the …

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