Methods and compositions for hematoxylin and eosin staining

摘要

The present invention provide for solutions of a defined composition useful in a staining protocol, such as a hematoxylin and eosin staining protocol, when used at certain points of the staining protocol. The formulations of these defined solutions are such that carry-over of the solutions will not negatively impact, or preferably, will stabilize or favorably modify staining reagent solutions coming in contact with the solutions. In certain embodiments of the invention, solutions are buffered to maintain a specific pH that when carried-over—such as carried-over into hematoxylin—will not significantly influence the pH of the next staining reagent.

主权项

1. A method of staining a tissue specimen with hematoxylin, the method comprising the steps of (i) contacting the specimen with a pH buffered solution comprising an organic acid and a polyhydroxy alcohol, wherein the pH buffered solution has a pH buffering range that comprises from about pH 2.0 to about pH 5.0 and (ii) transferring the specimen to a hematoxylin staining solution wherein the step of contacting the specimen with the pH buffered solution immediately precedes the step of transferring the specimen to the hematoxylin staining solution.