The primary purpose of placing slides in buffer (for a short time) prior to 
IHC staining is to equilibrate the specimen -- that is, create a suitable 
environment for the immunologic reagents to interact as they would in nature.  
Although the first reagent that is applied may work just fine without the pre-soak 
step, its considered 'good science' to equilibrate beforehand...
Joe Myers, M.S., CT(ASCP)

----Original Message-----

From: histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu]On Behalf Of Rosa
Bryant
Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 10:34 AM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] A question..

What is the science behind soaking the slides in buffer before IHC 
procedures?  I can't find much of a reference about this, what are the advantages to 
this step instead of putting the slides back into water?  Thanks  Rosa Fields
_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet