Re: storage of frozen specimens

From:Gayle Callis

We have stored OCT embedded snap frozen tissues for years, some recently
recut for IHC staining after 6 years storage in a -80C freezer, staining
was fine. 

The blocks are either stored embedded/sealed/uncut in their cryomolds,
inside a 50 ml centrifuge tube.  WE cut the excess plastic from edge of
mold so they fit into the tubes.  A good zip lock baggie should also work. 

OR cut blocks can be left mounted on disks/chucks (expensive for long term
storage).  All cut blocks are resealed with a thin layer of OCT, wrapped in
foil (you can write on that! with sharpie maker). 

Blocks on chucks for near future cutting are stored in a zip lock
bag/plastic specimen container w/lid big enough to hold disks/blocks.  

Unmounted, OCT resealed/wrapped blocks ar put back into their respective
tubes.  50 ml centrifuge tubes can hold up to 6 - 8 large blocks or more
smaller ones. 

If you do not reseal a cut block face, your sample will suffer from long
term freezer storage/exposure to air, can dry excessively. Our resealed
blocks at -80C last years! This may be dependent on what you do to tissue,
antigen stability, other factors. 

Patsy Ruegg used labelled tissue cassettes with snap top lids, stored her
sealed blocks in those. Nice little trick. I loved this suggestion!

 At 09:20 AM 8/13/02 -0500, you wrote:
>Hi again all,
>
>I'm looking for ideas regarding storage of frozen specimens.  I know
everybody does things differently and am interested in what it is you do,
what works well for you.  We store our tissues in a -80 degree C
ultrafreezer.  What I'm currently doing works, but I think I'll tap into
this resource to see if what you are doing is better.
>
>I freeze my tissues in a cryomold.  Sometimes I keep them mounted on the
cryostat chuck if I'm going to be cutting them again in the near future.
>
>Thanks for your help!
>
>Teri Johnson
>Managing Director Histology Core Facility
>Stowers Institute for Medical Research
>1000 E. 50th St.
>Kansas City, Missouri  64110
>tjj@stowers-institute.org
>
>
>
Gayle Callis
MT,HT,HTL(ASCP)
Research Histopathology Supervisor
Veterinary Molecular Biology - Marsh Lab
Montana State University - Bozeman
19th and Lincoln St
Bozeman MT 59717-3610

406 9

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