If I want to store them for longer period do I have to do antibody retrieval before staining? Thank you.
Kunthaval
I wouldn't wait more than the next day or two. Even though the cells are fixed, keeping them in buffer slowly extracts the cytoplasm. As for the need to do antibody retrieval that would probably depend on the antigen you're after.
I agree with Dr. Gordon. Leaving sections in buffer for long times (and true for either mounted sections or freely floating ones will reduce antigenicity.
Dear Kunthavai,
You should try to do your immuno as soon as you can. However, in my experience it is ok to keep fixed cultured cells on coverslips in PBS in fridge for up to two weeks. You need to pay attention to two things:(1) avoid any bacterial infection;(2) avoid evaporation of water from PBS. If you work sterile and change (wash) PBS solution every couple of days, and if you have fixed cultured cells that were in good health/shape, you can get good results even after 2 weeks.
best wishes, Refik
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