Technologies

Rutgers scientists have identified a novel chemical solution, VisikolTM, for clearing and mounting tissues for microscopic identification. The newly identified chemical solution is constituted of chemical compounds that have never been used for such applications.
VisikolTM can be used as a replacement for the universally used clearing agent for microscopy, namely, an acidified chloral hydrate glycerol solution. Choral hydrate is used as the key compound in a wide variety of reagents such as Hertwig’s solution, yet one of the main disadvantages of chloral hydrate is that it is a controlled substance (depressant, sedative, and hypnotic). As such, chloral hydrate requires Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) approval and compliance, which can be a lengthy, time-consuming, and costly procedure. On the other hand, the components of VisikolTM do not require such approval. In addition, VisikolTM can effectively and safely replace chloral hydrate, which has been shown to cause chronic and acute toxicity, and irritation to eyes, skin, mucous membranes, and the respiratory system. Experiments have shown that, in terms of efficacy, VisikolTM matched or outperformed chloral hydrate-based solutions and exhibited a refractive index greater than acidified chloral hydrate glycerol solution.