The present invention provides reagents for use in an automated environment
for removing or etching embedding media by exposing a biological sample to
be stained in histochemical or cytochemical procedures without the
dependence on organic solvents. The reagents comprise components optimized
to facilitate removal or etching of the embedding media from the
biological sample. The present invention also provides reagents for use in
an automated environment for cell conditioning biological samples wherein
the cells are predisposed for access by reagent molecules for
histochemical and cytochemical staining procedures. The reagents comprise
components optimized to facilitate molecular access to cells and cell
constituents within the biological sample.
