The clearing agent with the highest refractive index is benzyl benzoate (1.57). It provides glass-like transparency. Methyl salicylate (1.54) is just as good, but the strong wintergreen smell can get a bit tiresome. Methyl benzoate (1.51) is also used for this purpose, but it has a really unpleasant odour so I don't recommend it.

If the specimens do not have to be kept for a long time, xylene (R.I. 1.50) might be good enough.

John Kiernan
Anatomy, UWO
London, Canada
---
----- Original Message -----
From: "Vest, Luther" 
Date: Thursday, September 6, 2007 13:51
Subject: [Histonet] protocol for clearing tissue!
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu

> Dear histonet:
> 
> One of the pathology residents in our department has asked me to post
> this question.
> 
>  
> 
> I am in search of a protocol for clearing tissue. This technique 
> is used
> commonly in vascular research to visualize blood vessels. I want 
> to use
> it to clear mouse lung tissue that contains blue-stained
> (B-galactosidase activity) tumor nodules. Any suggestions?
> 
> Thanks
> 
>  
> 
> Luther Vest (HT ASCP)
> 
> VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
> 
> Duckpond Dr. Phase III
> 
> Blacksburg, Va 24061-0443
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
> 
_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet