Intended use: To preserve tissues for routine histology
Summary and explanation: Paraformaldehyde (PFA) is the polymerization product of formaldehyde with a typical degree of polymerization of 8–100 units. Paraformaldehyde is not a fixative itself; it must be depolymerized to formaldehyde in solution. In cell culture, a typical formaldehyde fixing procedure would involve using a 4% formaldehyde solution in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) on ice for 10 minutes. Fixing ensures that sample cell structures stay intact and that antigens are immobilized, while ideally still permitting unfettered access of antibodies to target antigens. CAS 30525-89-4, soluble in water, pH 7.0-7.6 at 25°C. The solution should be clear, colorless, with no precipitate.
Reagents provided: 500 ml 4 % Paraformaldehyde (PFA) solution in PBS
Storage and handling: Store at -20°C for one year
Principle of method: Fixing cells for immunohistochemistry (IHC)