Atlas Antibodies Blog

Washing- and staining solutions, blocking agents, detection and mounting solutions. Successful immunohistochemical staining requires reliable, high-quality reagents to fixate, to wash and permeabilize the tissue. But what is the rationale behind the fact that certain buffers or storage conditions are better to use than other, or is it all just empiric?

Today we meet with Dr. Cecilia Lindskog, group leader at Uppsala University in Sweden, and the site director of the Tissue Atlas part of the Human Protein Atlas (HPA). Her research is focused on protein science, understanding the biology and functions of human proteins expressed in different organs, and the underlying mechanisms leading to cancer and other diseases. We asked her 10 questions about the past, the present, and the future of the Tissue Atlas.

We have run the exact same experiment. I found X. You found Y. Why? Have you been in this conversation with a collaborator? Have you ever obtained amazing results which contradict previous theory? Before you read on, take a moment to answer that for yourself. What was your reaction? “It is all my fault. I must have done something wrong” or “Interesting, I never thought about that before…” 

The human body is the results of trillion of cells communicating with each other. Early biologists described cells as simple membranous sacs containing fluid and a few floating particles. Today we know that cells are infinitely more complex than that. Read here about the Cell Atlas, part of the Human Protein Atlas, for insights into the spatio-temporal distribution of proteins within human cells. 

As a rule, the complex biology and spatial organization of tissues and solid tumors poses a scientific and diagnostic challenge that is not sufficiently well addressed by standard immunohistochemistry (IHC) procedures. How come this is the case? The answer is that single IHC staining provides data on only one marker at a time. So, how do you stain multiple protein in the same cell or tissue?

In this blog, we would like to tell you about that time when researchers interested in a new therapeutic target for patients with type 2 diabetes, knocked at our door asking for help, and how we used the Tissue Atlas, part of the Human Protein Atlas project, to answer their questions. But let’s start from the beginning.

Today we meet with Dr. Kristian Moller, Principal Scientist at Altas Antibodies, to ask him 10 questions about past, present, and future of multiplex immunohistochemistry.

Can you make use of an antibody that targets a human protein in another model organism? Under the right conditions, the answer is yes! 

Dr. Kristian Moller, Principal Scientist at Atlas Antibodies, shares the top research highlights from the exciting science being presented at AACR 2019.

Today we meet with Dr. Caroline Kampf to ask her 10 questions about past, present, and future of immunohistochemistry (IHC). 

How many samples? How much money and time have you wasted trying to unmask a protein on your IHC samples? Tissue fixation in immunohistochemistry often negatively impacts on your immunostaining by masking the epitope of interest. Read on to learn about the most common antigen retrieval methods used to restore epitope-antibody binding.

Would you print your childhood best and precious memories on a low-quality photographic film? I wouldn’t. However, just like me, you probably have hundreds of old faded yellow photos abandoned in a drawer. Images quality relies on high-quality printing films…and so does your immunohistochemical staining. Tissue handling and tissue processing determine the quality of your IHC results. You want high resolution?  Let’s understand how to achieve it.

 “I don’t know why I am doing this. I can’t handle it!”  You thought you knew how to recognize and solve your IHC artifacts but after reading the troubleshooting guide the answers seem so far away. Long lists of tips. Examples too difficult to understand. Not-so-friendly images. Feeling overwhelmed? You are not alone. Although sometimes troubleshooting seems unbearable, there is no need to worry! Troubleshooting is nothing more than the logical elimination of variables.

After a few intense days of meticulous tissue washes and antibody incubations my staining is finally ready. I am staring at it down the microscope. I enjoy what I see: a dark brown color exactly where I expect to see it! Am I good or what? I give myself a figurative pat on the back and an imaginary high five. Excited and proud, I call my supervisor who glares intently at it and then firmly, and rather surprisingly, asks me to re-run the staining. What went wrong? What did I miss? I must get to the bottom of this!

Humans are an intrepid race. For centuries, explorers have embarked on ambitious journeys of discovery toward distant horizons in search of new lands and unfriendly shores. They were pioneers with limited resources, and powerful ideals. Today a new generation of visionary scientists sail to new frontiers and discovery. They sail with knowledge, strategy, timing and multiple resources to reach a destination and achieve a goal, seeking to develop new cure for human diseases, consciously engaging in development and innovation. Come aboard with me for this crusade to fight human cancer.

How many decisions do you think you make every day? Would you be surprised if I tell you that an adult person makes about 25,000 more or less conscious decisions every day? It’s a fact. Consciously or unconsciously, we spend every day of our lives making decisions: where to go, what to wear, what to eat, how to spend our time, etc. But how much time do you spend making a decision for the right control for your primary antibody? And, most importantly, did you make the right choice? How can you tell a good decision from a bad one?

Headphones on, I am listening to my favorite music and staring at the lab bench in front of me feeling excited to start the immunohistochemistry experiment of the day. Pipette, timer, wells, vials, brush, buffers. Protocol taped on the shelf. Everything is ready. I feel like a DJ at the console, and I find myself thinking: what makes a good DJ?  A DJ does not just play one song after the other in a random sequence. He has everything under control, he plans and underpins, every minute of a performance to varying degrees. So, how do I get started when planning a new set for a forthcoming immunohistochemistry experiment? Read on to find out how to control your results and prepare for a successful ’gig’ in the lab.

Have you ever been lost?  When you travel to a place that’s unknown to you, getting lost is easy, frustrating and discouraging – even frightening. And it’s always a waste of time.  What you need is a map. A map shows detailed information about the landscape, roads, points of interest and distances. But just looking at the map it is not enough. First of all, you need to choose the correct type of map, be able to understand its features to be able to read it, and most importantly you need to find your location on the map! What if I tell you that there is a map of all the proteins in the human body? Would you be able to read it? This article is here to help you on your way to discovering the potential of this great tool.

Have you heard of The Domino Effect? I’m sure you have but let me remind you what it is. The Domino Effect is the cumulative, often disastrous, effect produced when one single event sets off a chain of other events, the last one depending on the very first one.

A ‘domino effect’ is not merely a phenomenon that just happens to you, but something you can control and drive. It is in your power to pick the cards that lead towards success. So why not to start with an antibody that you can trust?

Sitting at the lab desk in the late hour of my day, I navigate the web scrolling pages and pages of content to find the information I need to plan my next experiment: which tissue is my protein expressed in? I click dozens and dozens of links that take me from one page to another. I am confused. I am not a focused cyber-sailor and I usually get lost very easily only to find myself pages away from my true destination. Which tissue is my protein expressed in? I still have no answer. Frustrated, but happy to read on how to cook the best pizza in the world, I give up. Sounds familiar? Yes, it has probably happened to you as well.