Some people have looked at the MMA method and felt the polymerization at 60
degrees C was problem and not remembered paraffins are about the same.  His
work is top notch and his methods are very sound.  Pam Marcum

-----Original Message-----
From: Gayle Callis [mailto:uvsgc@msu.oscs.montana.edu]
Sent: Monday, March 20, 2000 9:22 PM
To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: plastic immuno


I think this has been discussed, with lots in the archives, but GMA is more
difficult to get good IHC staining, since it cannot be removed once
polymerized.  Check out
Neil Hands article in J of HIstotechnology, 21(3)1998, he did methyl
methacrylate, totally removable, and stringent antigen retrieval.

He has a panel of 200 or so antibodies done this way, elegant and very
useful
for plastic aficiandos.  MMA is no more difficult to work with than GMA,
depending on the tissue, bone cuts better with tungsten carbibe knives.
Have
seen his slides, really wonderful staining! and was impressed it could be
done
by removing MMA with warm xylene.

Hoods are a must!

Gayle Callis