Outlined below you will find a selection of immunohistochemistry buffers and recipes including: fixation buffers, buffers for heat-induced epitope retrieval (HIER), enzymatic detection buffers, permeabilization and blocking buffers.

Use Zenker’s solution for bloody samples such as spleen and connective tissue

*Heat and cool. Add 5 ml of glacial acetic acid just before use. Never use metal forceps when handling tissues fixed in Zenker Solution.

Helly’s solution can be used on blood forming organs such as bone marrow, liver and spleen.

*Heat and cool. Add 5 ml of formaldehyde just before use.

Bouin’s Fixative should be used when soft tissue structures need to be preserved.

Carnoy’s solution should be used for the fixation of DNA and RNA.

1. Make a 0.1M Tris Buffer, pH 7.4