Merck, F8775-25ML, Formaldehyde solution

Formaldehyde, a colorless, pungent-smelling chemical, finds extensive application in various biological research and laboratory settings. Primarily supplied as a 37% solution (formalin), its diverse uses range from tissue preservation and sterilization to acting as a denaturant in RNA gel electrophoresis. However, it′s crucial to acknowledge its potential health risks and handle it with appropriate precautions.Multifaceted Functions: Preservative: Formaldehyde′s ability to inhibit microbial growth makes it an effective preservative in biological samples, preventing decay and ensuring their integrity for further analysis. This property finds application in medical laboratories, museums, and even embalming fluids. Fixative: In histology, formaldehyde acts as a fixative, cross-linking proteins and preserving tissue structures for microscopic examination. This allows researchers to visualize anatomical details and cellular components with remarkable clarity. Denaturant: In molecular biology techniques like formaldehyde-agarose gel electrophoresis, formaldehyde denatures RNA molecules, preventing them from forming secondary structures and enabling size-based separation. This technique proves invaluable for studying gene expression and RNA integrity.