I was asked
to help with the evaluation of the new departmental automated slidemaker-stainer.
I was to compare slides made on the old device with those made on the new one.
Ideally there shouldn’t have been much difference.
There was. The
new device gave much paler stain. I wondered why.
My first
thought was the buffer. I got out the pH meter. Despite having followed the instructions
in preparing the buffer, the stuff had a pH of 7.10. I made up fresh using
measured amounts of buffer and water and got some with a pH of 6.83. that was
better.
However the
stain was still pale.
I looked at
the stain times programmed into the devices.
The new one had shorter staining
times. That’s why it gives a paler result.
I can’t help
but wonder why the two machines have different staining times though?
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