How do I prepare my samples for immunolabeling procedures?

The following is a general guideline for preparing samples according to the type of immunolabeling procedure utilized.  Contact ABI to speak with a technical support representative about preparing your samples.

• Pre-Embedding Immunolabeling: In pre-embedding immunolabeling, the cells are exposed to both the primary antibody and secondary antibody in situ, before normal fixation procedures. Because we work with the cells live or in situ, the cell line is sent to ABI fresh and without fixation in its normal cell culture media.
• Negative Stain Immunolabeling: Negative stain immunolabeling is performed on fresh specimens in suspension before chemical fixation is employed, allowing the antigenicity of the sample to be intensified. The specimens are sent either fresh or frozen by overnight carrier to ABI and are handled as a "live" sample.  Specimens to be examined by negative staining techniques may have to be concentrated before immunolabeling techniques.  Contact ABI to learn if your sample must be concentrated.
• Post-Embedding Immunolabeling: For post-embedding labeling procedures, immunolabeling is carried out on cells and tissues that have been fixed and embedded in a plastic resin. An embedded block containing the specimen is ultra-thin sectioned, allowing access to antigens as they become exposed on the surface of the sections.

When using this procedure, the cells and/or tissue must be fixed using a chemical fixative before shipment to ABI.  Contact ABI for more information about fixing your sample.