Cytoclear

Cytoclear is a uniquely formulated and extremely popular product used in clinical and research cytogenetic laboratories to improve sample quality and reduce analysis time. Cytoclear, consisting of a mixture of protein detergents, can quickly dissolve and remove persistent cytoplasm during the methanol:acetic acid fixation stage of the cytogenetic harvesting protocol.

Typical improvements include:

• Rescuing samples with poorly clumped metaphases that would otherwise be impossible to analyze.
• Increasing hybridization efficiencies and reducing background levels due to non-specific hybridization.
• Producing brighter FISH signals as it enables the probe to reach the target by removing barrier cytoplasm.

Protocol:
Simply add 5ul of Cytoclear per ml of methanol:acetic acid, during the first fix step in the harvest. Then let the mixture stand for 5 minutes. From there, centrifuge for 5 minutes at 1000rpm, and then proceed with your normal harvesting protocol.

Keywords: Cytoclear, cytoplasm, cytogenetics, harvesting, reagents, metaphases, centrifuge, Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), Cytoclear Cytoplasm Remover, FISH

Documents:

• Instructions for Use
• Safety Data Sheet

References & Publications:

• PD Waters, G Dobigny, PJ Waddell, et al. 2008. LINE-1 Elements: Analysis by Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization and Nucleotide Sequences, Methods in Molecular Biology. Volume 422, 227-237
• S Ingthorsson, T Halldorsson, V Sigurdsson, et al. 2011. Selection for EGFR gene amplification in a breast epithelial cell line with basal-like phenotype and hereditary background. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology – Animal, Volume 47, Number 2, 139-148, DOI: 10.1007/s11626-010-9371-6