Patent ID: 6127188
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: B01L,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of conducting a nucleic acid assay on a histological specimen on a microscope slide which comprises positioning a liquid composition between the microscope slide and a cover glass, the liquid comprising an aqueous test solution and 10% to 50% of a dissolved polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polysucrose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and polyethylene glycol and wherein the liquid composition is further characterized in that upon being positioned between the microscope slide and the cover glass, the liquid composition defines an interface between the slide and cover glass, whereby upon evaporation of water from the aqueous test solution at the interface, the polymeric material becomes concentrated and reduces further evaporation of water from the aqueous test solution at the interface to thereby enclose a portion of the liquid composition within boundaries defined by the microscope slide, the cover glass and the concentrated polymeric material.