[Histonet] Help on Teared tissues

[John Kiernan]

Tears in the sections come from faults
on the cutting edge of the microtome's
knife. These are easily seen by looking
at the blade with a microscope, using
the X10 objective.  Ask a more
experienced colleague to show you how
to do this safely.  

The Safety is partly for your fingers
bur MOSTLY for the knife's edge. That's
if you use a solid steel knife.  With 
disposable blades your finger may be
more valuable, even to your employer's
insurance company.  

If the microscope shows nicks or lesser
irregularities in the edge of the blade
you won't be able to cut good sections.  
-- 
-------------------------
John A. Kiernan
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
The University of Western Ontario
London,   Canada   N6A 5C1
   kiernan <@t> uwo.ca
   http://publish.uwo.ca/~jkiernan/
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A Histonetter wrote:
> Could someone give me the various reasons why 
> tissues are torn on slides. In my case I 
> doubt that this is due to the microtome. > 

> Is processing in paraffin possibility ...