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.

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