At the risk of grousing!!  I also have thawed aliquots in tubes held in my
hands, without gloves and handle tons of things in and out of my refrig,
freezers - daily - without gloves on.  I would say the skin on my hands is
exposed to more stuff than other generic body parts. 

For those no wanting to handle tubes, a 37C waterbath is ideal, higher
temps could possibly damage antibodies, or just put in a rack at RT,  

  


>Date: Sat, 29 Apr 2000 16:07:26 CDT
>From: "Becky Scholes" <raws43@hotmail.com>
>Subject: Re: it's Friday, are you ready for a laugh about thawing antibodies?
>
>
>Lauren,
>
>Even drinking city water is not ground zero for safety! You store food in 
>your lab freezers and refrigerators?  Now THAT's a no-no!  Please tell me 
>you made a typo.
>
>Becky
>
>>From: "Bro. Lauren Ball" <lball2@uswest.net>
>>Subject: Re: it's Friday, are you ready for a laugh about thawing 
>>antibodies?
>>
>>Gayle,
>>     Have you considered that laboratories, Lab Freezers, Lab 
>>refrigerators,
>>etc are considered biohazard areas.  We do store food in theses areas.  Why
>>would you risk contamination of skin or personal clothing?  While the risk
>>may be minimal it is not zero.
>>Lauren
>>----- Original Message -----
>>Subject: it's Friday, are you ready for a laugh about thawing antibodies?
>>
>>
>> > Thawing aliquots of antibodies, prediluted, or otherwise, in small tubes
>> > can be done at body temperature to thaw them fairly quickly, without
>>having
>> > to use a 37C waterbath! Now for the nitty gritty, and I can hear the
>>laughs
>> > coming now!
>> >
>> > A pocket works well for guys and gals.  For the gals, and my favorite, 
>>is
>> > the private, more discreet way of slipping the tube into your bra, 
>>unless
>> > you are liberated and braless!!  On a summer day, a cooling experience,
>> > but, it works!  Beware - people walking in on you will turn red and run!
>> > Discretion is the better part of valor, but practicality won out years
>>ago.
>> >  Large 50 ml tubes are not advisable, too large, too cold! You don't 
>>want
>> > frostbite!
     Gayle Callis
>> > Veterinary Molecular Biology
>> > Montana State University
>> > Bozeman MT 59717-3610
>> > 406 994-4705
>> > 406 994-4303

Gayle Callis
Veterinary Molecular Biology
Montana State University
Bozeman MT 59717-3610
406 994-4705
406 994-4303