X-Message-Number: 17817 Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2001 22:55:17 -0800 (PST) From: Doug Skrecky <> Subject: triethylene glycol penetrates tissue faster than glycerol It also has *NEVER* been used in cryopreservation, and is (much) less toxic than ethylene glycol. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Title Liquid substitution: a versatile procedure for SEM specimen preparation of biological materials without drying or coating. Source Journal of Microscopy. 172 ( Pt 3):195-203, 1993 Dec. Abstract Certain liquids with a very low vapour pressure, such as glycerol or triethylene glycol, can be used to infiltrate biological specimens so that they may be observed in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) without drying. The conductive properties of the fluids allow specimens to be examined either uncoated or with very thin coatings. The advantages of liquid substitution include the retention of lipids, waxes, loose particles, and surface contaminants. Since the procedure does not require expensive equipment, it offers an alternative to critical point drying or cryopreparation. For certain types of specimens, liquid substitution may represent the best preparation procedure. In addition, the fluids themselves may be imaged directly in the SEM, or indirectly by cathodoluminescence following labelling with fluorochromes. Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=17817