Tissue detachment / sections fall off the slide (Immunohistochemistry (IHC))

Question

Accepted Answer

Tissue falls off during staining; sections become broken or missing; results cannot be interpreted. Common causes: 1) Tissue did not adhere properly to the slide 2) Antigen retrieval was too aggressive (too high temperature, too long time) 3) Slide was not coated / pre-treated 4) Heating or washing was too vigorous Solutions: 1) Use poly-L-lysine or APES coated slides 2) Extend tissue baking time (60 °C for 1–2 h, or 37 °C overnight) 3) Optimize antigen retrieval conditions (try lower temperature or shorter time) 4) Handle gently; avoid vigorous agitation during washing