I am currently working on IHC for Per1 protein expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of mouse brain coronal sections 40um thickness.
The ABC kit that I have, has the expiry date of June 2022. It was used a couple of times and was always store in the fridge (at 4 Degree Celsius).
It is a good idea to use that kit and have a good result in IHC? Because these kits are expensive and I do not want to purchase a new one unless the kit is absolutely ruined.
How do I know if the kit still works?
You can run a test with extra tissue to see if the kit works. If you see a weak staining, before you buy another kit you can try to increase the amount of A and B that you use. For instance, put 2x the amount of each reagent. Also, you can increase slightly the concentration of your 2nd antibody.Or increase the concentration of your 1st antibody. You can try each of the changes separately and also some of them together, to see what works the best in your case.
The expiration date on the ABC Vector Kit indicates the recommended time period during which the components of the kit are expected to remain stable and effective when stored under appropriate conditions. However, it does not necessarily mean that the kit will suddenly become unusable once the expiration date has passed.
When deciding whether to use a kit past its expiration date, several factors should be considered:
1. Storage conditions: The fact that you have been storing the kit in the refrigerator at 4 degrees Celsius is a good practice. Proper storage can help prolong the shelf life of the kit.
2. Kit integrity: Assess the physical condition of the components in the kit. Check for any signs of contamination, discoloration, or changes in texture. If the reagents appear normal and undamaged, it is a positive indication.
3. Controls: Run positive and negative controls alongside your experimental samples. Using samples with known positive and negative staining will help you assess the performance of the kit. If the controls yield the expected results, it suggests that the kit is still functional.
4. Pilot experiment: Consider performing a small pilot experiment using the expired kit. This will help you determine if the kit still produces reliable and reproducible results. If the staining appears strong and specific with low background, it indicates that the kit is likely still functional.
It is important to note that expired kits may have reduced efficiency or diminished performance compared to fresh kits. However, if the kit has been stored properly and shows no signs of degradation, there is a reasonable chance that it can still provide satisfactory results.
Ultimately, the decision to use an expired kit depends on the specific circumstances, availability of resources, and risk tolerance. If obtaining accurate and reliable results is crucial for your research, it may be advisable to consider obtaining a fresh kit to ensure optimal performance.
google results you are supposed to expect if your results after experiments fall within range use it.
Thank you very much!
Dr. Joshua Ogboli Dr. Saif Wahid Louis-Charles Béland Dr. Luz Torner