Sample prep for tissues

Tissues must be processed into a monodispersion of cells, typically by mechanical maceration or douncing. Enzymatic digestion (e.g. collagenase, dispase) can be used for connective tissue and Trypsin may be used for macro-dissected tissues (monitor dissolution to single cells). Avoid extensive enzymatic digestion and processing agents containing glucosaminidase, amidase, neuraminidase, or mannosidase to prevent interference with ConA bead binding. Once a monodispersion is achieved, proceed to initial cell count.

Harvesting viable, monodispersed cells from tissues can be challenging; in some cases (especially when performing CUT&Tag) nuclei may be preferable. See literature, including the following papers, for additional methods: