On Wed, 28 Jun 2000, Petrilli, Michael wrote:

> We had problem with prefer-fixed tissue and immunos ... have
> discontinued use.

  Can you tell us all what the problem was? 

  Although the exact composition of Anatech's "Prefer" fixative
  is a trade secret, its active ingredient (glyoxal) and mode
  of action (aldehyde reactivity similar to formaldehyde's) are
  clearly explained in Anatech's literature (www.anatech.com)
  and in some peer-reviewed publications (e.g. Dapson, 1993
  Biotech Histochem 68:75-82). Glyoxal fixation has also been 
  explained in various HistoNet messages that should be findable 
  in the Archives.  

  Any problem encountered with a glyoxal-based fixative but not
  with formaldehyde would be of general interest. So, for that
  matter, would any applications for which glyoxal turns out
  to give better fixation or antigen preservation.

 John A. Kiernan,
 Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology,
 The University of Western Ontario,
 LONDON,  Canada  N6A 5C1