title: Proper paraffin slide storage is crucial for translational research projects involving immunohistochemistry stains.
abstract: The use of paraffin slides and tissue microarrays (TMA) is indispensable for translational research. However, storage of paraffin slides over time has a substantial detrimental effect on the quality and reliability of immunohistochemistry stains. Particularly affected by this issue may be any collaborative efforts where paraffin slides or TMAs are shipped to central laboratories and then 'biobanked' for some time until use. This article summarizes some of the key issues affecting loss of antigenicity on paraffin slides and some simple storage solutions to help maintain high quality immunohistochemistry results when paraffin slides must be stored for a certain time prior to use.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Economou
authors.forename: Liliane
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schöni
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hammer
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Galván
authors.forename: Dominique-Elisabeth
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.affiliation: Translational Research Unit (TRU) Institute of Pathology University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 31, Room L313, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland. Inti.zlobec@pathology.unibe.ch.
authors.forename: Inti
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zlobec