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Immunohistochemistry and Immunocytochemistry pp 47–63Cite as

Tissue Processing

Part of the Methods in Molecular Biology book series (MIMB,volume 2422)

Abstract

Tissue processing is the technique by which fixed tissues are made suitable for embedding within a supportive medium such as paraffin, and consists of three sequential steps: dehydration, clearing, and infiltration. In most clinical and research settings, tissue processing is accomplished using an automated tissue processor, with or without microwave-assistance. To ensure high-quality results, processing protocols should be tailored to tissue size and composition by modifying variables such as reagents used and the timing of the various steps. Herein, we provide an overview of tissue processing theory and outline a basic tissue processing method for use with a conventional automated fluid transfer/enclosed processor. The principles described will assist readers in optimizing tissue processing for their own projects.

Key words

  • Histotechnology
  • Tissue dehydration
  • Tissue clearing
  • Paraffin infiltration
  • conventional tissue processing
  • Microwave-assisted tissue processing

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  • DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1948-3_4
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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for help received from the following individuals: senior medical laboratory technologists Audrey Ellis, Alan Sanidad, and Sharon Wheeler and medical laboratory assistant Liz Marra for sharing their knowledge and experience; Joelle Maclean for secretarial support; Juanita Meyer for assistance with literature search; Xavier Wehrli for illustrations; and LHSC histology section head Dr. Keith Kwan for many valuable insights.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University and London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada

    Sarah J. Aziz & Cady E. Zeman-Pocrnich

Authors
  1. Sarah J. Aziz
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  2. Cady E. Zeman-Pocrnich
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cady E. Zeman-Pocrnich .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology and Medicine & Louisiana Cancer Research Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA

    Dr. Luis Del Valle

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Aziz, S.J., Zeman-Pocrnich, C.E. (2022). Tissue Processing. In: Del Valle, L. (eds) Immunohistochemistry and Immunocytochemistry. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2422. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1948-3_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1948-3_4

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-0716-1947-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-0716-1948-3

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