| Abstract Detail
Development and Structure Romanov, Anastasia [1], Ly, Kathy [1], Kirchoff, Bruce [2]. Embedding in polyethylene glycol (PEG) produces results comparable to paraffin. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a non-carcinogenic, water-soluble polymer of ethylene oxide that has found wide applicability in industry and medicine. PEG is hydrophilic and comes in various molecular weights with different melting points. It is water soluble and has been used to embed and section small animal and plant tissues. We investigated the use of PEG for the rapid embedding of larger plant tissues. Plant ovaries of Musa velutina, Heliconia wagneriana and nine other species were embedded with a mixture of PEG 1450 and PEG 4000. Tissues up to 6.5 X 10 mm could easily be embedded and sectioned in PEG. Embedded tissues could be stored at room temperature for up to five days with no detrimental effects. Sections were easily cut at 8 – 15 µm on a rotary microtome. Bissing’s modified Haupt’s adhesive was used to adhere the sections to slides. Mounted sections were washed in Triton-X to remove the PEG, dehydrated in a graded alcohol series, and stained with Safranin and Fast Green. PEG embedding resulted in equal or better tissue differentiation, better retention of cell inclusions, and reduced shrinkage compared with paraffin sections. The process was also faster, requiring only 3 – 6 hours for embedding compared to the two days needed for paraffin embedding. PEG is a rapid embedding medium suitable for use with even large plant tissues.
Log in to add this item to your schedule
1 - UNC Greensboro, Biology, Greensboro, NC, 27402, United States
2 - Univ Of NC Greensboro, Department Of Biology, Po Box 26170, Greensboro, NC, 27402, United States
Keywords:
microtechnique
Carbowax
polyethylene glycol
PEG
paraffin embedding.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: DS2, Development and Structure II
Location: /
Date: Wednesday, July 21st, 2021
Time: 1:45 PM(EDT)
Number: DS2015
Abstract ID:192
Candidate for Awards:Developmental and Structural Section Undergraduate Student Registration Award |
