Origin of Nitrocellulose Film-Slides

Origin of Nitrocellulose Film-Slides

Grace Bio-Labs invented the porous nitrocellulose Film-coating technology that underlies the Film-Slide and Film-Plate product lines sold by Grace, GE and Schott (McGrath et al, 1991; McGrath et al, 1995a).  ONCYTE® Film were originally invented to increase the sensitivity of in situ assays for proteins and RNA’s in cells in a process we call Cytocoherent Transfer, the replacement of conventional glass slides with Film-Slides for these in situ applications increased assay sensitivity by preventing the diffusional loss of analyte from cells during fixation and processing (McGrath et al, 1995a).

Since that time, Film-Slides have become widely used in various microarray applications utilizing proteins (Paweletz et al, 2001; Knezevic et al, 2001; Zhu et al, 2003), peptides (Tomizaki et al, 2005; Uttamchandani et al, 2008; Howbrook et al, 2003; Michaud et al, 2003; Sobek et al, 2006; Kreutzberger et al, 2006; Poetz et al, 2005; Robinson et al, 2002), glycoproteins (Wang D et al, 2002; Feizi et al, 2003; Fukui et al, 2002; Ratner et al, 2004; Park et al, 2003; Zhou et al, 2006) and carbohydrates (Wang D et al, 2002; Wang D et al, 2003).  The microscope slide format makes it convenient to use conventional spotters and scanners; and, microscopy (the Film can be cleared to transparency for high-resolution microscopy by filling the pores with media that matches the refractive index of the polymer (McGrath et al, 1991; Maciewicz et al, 1988).