[NHCOLL-L:5024] Re: Labeling frozen, ethanol and nitrogen tissue tubes

[Kirsten Nicholson]

Good info, I'm always looking for better instruments for this sort of thing;
thanks for sharing, Carol!

I'm coming late to this conversation, but I'm wondering about two things.
One is, why not put labels inside the tubes instead of writing on the
outside where there is the risk of rubbing off or coming off altogether? Its
slightly more work, but the payoff is tremendous in terms of being sure of
which tube has what inside.

The other is, I find it incredible that somebody hasn't produced a better
system for this given that so many of us are faced with this problem of
labeling tubes *permanently*.  I've seen ads for label makers that print
labels out for tubes, but have not tried them, and generally these are not
practical in the field, but might be useful once back in the lab.  Do you or
does anyone out there have experience with these labeling machines for the
lab?

Thanks,

Kirsten
-- 
Kirsten E. Nicholson, Ph.D

Asst. Prof. Biology
Dept. of Biology
217 Brooks Hall
Central Michigan Univ.
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859
989-774-3758

and

Curator of Natural History
Museum of Cultural and Natural History
103 Rowe Hall
Central Michigan University
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859
989-774-3829

On Fri, Oct 22, 2010 at 6:24 PM, Carol Spencer <atrox10 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi NH-Coll:
>
> Awhile ago I requested information from researchers about pens/markers to
> be used for writing on cryotubes for ethanol, frozen, or liquid nitrogen
> usage. Since that time we at MVZ have gone through a couple of marker types
> and seem to have found one that works well in all types of fluid.
>
> This is the VWR Histology Chemical-Resistant Marker, see information below.
>
> Previously VWR had changed their formula and their markers were not
> working, so we switched to the Moist-Mark Cancer Diagnostics Pen (
> http://www.labsafety.com/Moist-Mark-Plus-Pen_s_141667/Label-Accessories_24541186/).
> This Moist-mark pen is very good with frozen or nitrogen tubes, BUT it will
> run when used with ethanol or other chemicals, especially when used on tubes
> that are very smooth and do not have a white area for writing. Since we keep
> our tubes in -80C, switching to liquid nitrogen, and we also use them when
> sending loans of tissue in 95% ethanol, we needed to mark with ink that will
> not come off in all situations.
>
> When using the VWR marker, you should still allow the writing to dry
> completely (several minutes) before put any ethanol or other liquid into the
> tube.  If you rub the writing a lot, it will fade a bit, but overall this
> pen seems to work the most consistently.
> Thanks,
> Carol
>
> VWR® Chemical-Resistant Marker *Supplier:* VWR International
>     * *  [image: VWR® Chemical-Resistant Marker]<https://www.vwrsp.com/catjpg/081/081631.jpg>
>
> Precision ultrafine tip permanently marks slides and cassettes. Ink is
> waterproof, smearproof, odorless, and resistant to most chemicals, including
> alcohol, formalin, and xylene. Color: black.
>   * *
>   [image: View Shopping Basket] <https://www.vwrsp.com/myvwr/sb/index.cgi>
> *Description*   *VWR Catalog#*   *Unit*   *Price*   *Quantity*    VWRHISTOLOGY
> MARKER PK12   95042-566   Pack of 12   $55.70        Please verify that
> you have logged in. This item is restricted for purchase to customers with
> an established account and the proper documentation on file. If you are
> logged in and believe you should have access to this item, please contact us
> for additional help at 1-888-320-4357.    [image: View Shopping Basket]<https://www.vwrsp.com/myvwr/sb/index.cgi>
>
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Carol L. Spencer, Ph.D.
> Staff Curator of Herpetology & Researcher
> Museum of Vertebrate Zoology
> 3101 Valley Life Sciences Building
> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA 94720-3160
> atrox10 at gmail.com
> atrox at berkeley.edu
> TEL: 510-643-5778 /FAX: 510-643-8238
>
> http://www.herpnet.org
> http://mvz.berkeley.edu/
> http://www.vertnet.org
>
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