Fixation Reversal
Fixation Reversal - Related Videos
08:53
Whole Animal Perfusion Fixation for Rodents
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Cited by 531 •
2012
Here we describe a low-cost, rapid, controlled and uniform fixation procedure using 4% paraformaldehyde perfused via the vascular system: through the heart of the rat to obtain the best possible preservation of the brain.
10:21
Protocol for HER2 FISH Using a Non-cross-linking, Formalin-free Tissue Fixative to Combine Advantages of Cryo-preservation and Formalin Fixation
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Cited by 3 •
2017
Fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) is often required in combination with histopathology and molecular diagnostics for selection of therapy in personalized medicine. A novel non-cross-linking, formalin-free tissue fixative that allows high quality morphologic, molecular and FISH analyses from the same specimen by addition of a post-fixation step before FISH is presented.
01:03
Fixation and Sectioning
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2023
Two basic types of preparation are used to visualize specimens with a light microscope: wet mounts and fixed specimens. The simplest type of preparation is the wet mount, in which the specimen is placed in a drop of liquid on the slide. A liquid specimen can be directly deposited on the slide using a dropper. Solid specimens, such as skin scraping, can be placed on the slide before adding a drop of liquid to prepare the wet mount. Sometimes the liquid is simply water, but stains are often added...
07:54
Preparing Adherent Cells for X-ray Fluorescence Imaging by Chemical Fixation
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Cited by 14 •
2015
Here, we present a protocol on how to determine the quantity and distribution of metals in a sample using synchrotron X-ray fluorescence. We focus on adherent cells, and describe the chemical fixation method to prepare this sample. We then describe how to mount and image the sample using synchrotron X-rays.
10:10
Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
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Cited by 5 •
2011
Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty is indicated for the treatment of conditions that cannot be treated with conventional arthroplasty or other procedures. These primarily include degenerative and incapacitating conditions with irreparable rotator cuff and loss of the normal biomechanical coupling of the shoulder.
FAQs
Aldehyde fixation can create cross-links between proteins, which may conceal antigens and restrict access to other cellular molecules. Fixation reversal targets these chemical effects rather than simply removing tissue structure. When access improves, antibodies, microscopy-based probes, or molecular assays can interact more effectively with preserved biological material, supporting more informative analysis of archived specimens.
Immunohistochemistry depends on antibody access to tissue antigens. Cross-linking caused by fixation can reduce that access, making relevant targets less available for detection. Heat, chemical treatment, or enzymatic digestion can disrupt some of the fixation-related cross-links, potentially restoring antigen accessibility while retaining the specimen’s structural context for microscopic interpretation.
These approaches address fixation-related chemical effects through different types of treatment. Heat can help disrupt aldehyde-induced cross-links, chemical treatment can alter the fixation chemistry, and enzymatic digestion can break down components contributing to restricted molecular access. The choice depends on the analysis and the need to balance improved accessibility with preservation of tissue structure.
A general workflow begins by identifying the intended analysis, such as immunohistochemistry, microscopy, or nucleic-acid recovery. The preserved specimen is then exposed to a suitable heat, chemical, or enzymatic treatment, followed by analysis of the newly accessible targets or molecules. Throughout the process, researchers must consider whether tissue structure remains sufficiently preserved for interpretation.
The approach is especially useful when stored specimens remain scientifically valuable but fixation has reduced molecular accessibility. It can support renewed examination of antigens for immunohistochemistry, improve access for microscopy, or assist recovery of DNA and RNA. Consequently, archived tissues may provide information for later biological studies without requiring newly collected material.
Fixation reversal can support several complementary outcomes: clearer access to cellular targets during immunohistochemistry, improved examination of preserved structures by microscopy, and recovery of DNA or RNA from archived tissue. Its value lies in expanding what can be measured after preservation, allowing researchers to connect tissue morphology with molecular information while maintaining the specimen’s stored biological context.