Dear Carrie,

	Most of the labs I have worked in have used domestic microwave
ovens.  The
best one I have seen was at the Royal Hobart Hospital in Tasmania, which
had a temperature probe mounted centrally in the roof of the oven.  This
allowed the specimen(s), slides etc, to rotate, (therefore averaging out
all the hot & cold spots).  Unfortunately, this style of microwave seems to
have fallen out of favor with consumers.  Commercial microwaves are better
& scientific microwaves are (maybe) best.  But, the cost!!
	One of our local companies have an on line catalogue that you might
find
interesting, it provides a bit of information and helpful hints not
normally found in glossy brochures.

	http://www.proscitech.com.au/cons.htm

	I see you have been recommended the Microwave Cookbook.  May I also
recommend its companion volume the Microwave Toolbook.  The Toobook tells
you how to set up & calibrate a microwave (regardless of brand or heritage)
for lab work.  I believe ProSciTech stocks both books.  As this company
sources many of its wares from the USA companies like EMS may be a big help
too.

	Hope this helps.

	Regards

	Rob W.

At 09:01 AM 2/24/99 +1300, you wrote:
>>Hello-
>>I have just joined the histonet, so I am not sure if this topic has been
>>discussed recently.  I was curious if anyone has been successful in doing
>>microwave fixation, processing or decalcification.  If so, I would like to
>>know what kind of microwave you use, any protocols available and what you
>>personally think about the whole idea.  If you have any references to
>>companies that sell microwaves that would be helpful too. We are interested
>>in processing larger tissues in a faster time frame (aren't we all??!!?)
>>
>>Carrie Schray, HT(ASCP)
>>Parke-Davis Pharmaceuticals
>>Ann Arbor, Michigan
>
>We have a standard kenwood mw oven, as well as a commercial laboratory
>setup.  The standard Kenwood oven (with a temperature probe) is used for
>the demonstration of microwave assisted decalcification and formalin
>fixation for our third year students, with good results.
>
> For an excellent resource of all things microwave, check out:
>"Microwave cookbook for microscopists", by L.P. Kok and M.E. Boon, ISBN:
>90-71421-20-1



R. Wadley, B.App.Sc, M.L.S
Laboratory Manager
Cellular Analysis Facility
School of Microbiology & Immunology
UNSW, New South Wales, Australia, 2052
Ph (BH) 	+61 (2) 9385 3517
Ph (AH)	+61 (2) 9555 1239
Fax 	+61 (2) 9385 1591
E-mail	r.wadley@unsw.edu.au
www	http://www.unsw.edu.au/clients/microbiology/CAF.html
	(Under development)