[Histonet] flattening glycol methacrylate sections

[Michelle McDonald]

For methyl methacrylate (MMA) sections we use 70% ethanol to lubricate a
tungsten carbide blade and then slide the sections onto 70% ethanol
dipped slides and sit them covered in 70% ethanol until ready to spread.

Then we vertically dip the sections on the slides in an mixture of
ethanol and ethylene glycol monoethyl ether warmed to 55 degrees C a few
times to drag the wrinkles out and firmly place a piece of plastic on to
the section to push out remaining wrinkles. We place 8 to 10 slides
together with filter paper between and bulldog clip them together to
apply pressure over night as they are baked at 50 degrees to adhere
them.

If you have a nice sharp blade and well processed blocks this should
produce pretty flat sections. Although MMA sections are rarely as good
as paraffin.

If anyone would like I can email you our protocols directly for this if
it helps

Michelle


Dr Michelle McDonald B.MedSci, PhD
 
Research Officer
Orthopaedic Research Dept.
The Children's Hospital Westmead.
Westmead NSW 2145
Australia
 
Ph. +612 9845 1451
Fax. +612 9845 3078
 


-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Akemi
Allison-Tacha
Sent: Thursday, 29 May 2008 5:26 AM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu; Monfils, Paul
Subject: Re: [Histonet] flattening glycol methacrylate sections


Way back when I was doing GMA (back in the late 70's and 80's) I placed
my section on a DI water bath with NO heat, picked it up with my slide,
then placed it on a slide warmer at-least 37 degrees centigrade or
higher to adhere the section to the slide.  Make sure you wipe the
excess water from the back of the slide, so it doesn't snap crackle pop!

Akemi Allison-Tacha, BS, HT(ASCP)HTL
Client Services Manager
PhenoPath laboratories
551 North 34th Street, Suite 100 
Seattle, WA 98103-8675
Work: (206) 374-9000 ext 1053
E-Mail: akemiat3377 <@t> yahoo.com


--- On Wed, 5/28/08, Monfils, Paul <PMonfils <@t> Lifespan.org> wrote:

> From: Monfils, Paul <PMonfils <@t> Lifespan.org>
> Subject: [Histonet] flattening glycol methacrylate sections
> To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2008, 10:40 AM
> Do you float your G.M. sections on a water bath?  If so,
> what temperature?  Do you add anything to the water? 
> _______________________________________________
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

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