[Histonet] Embedding medium for whole monkey brain sections

[Patsy Ruegg]

You could use a 6% agar, warm it to get to liquid and then cool it at 4dc to
get it to set, you could then freeze the whole sample.
Patsy

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu]On Behalf Of Shahin
Zangenehpour
Sent: Saturday, November 06, 2004 6:14 PM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding medium for whole monkey brain sections


Dear HistoNetters,

I am trying to characterise the expression of FMRP (fragile X mental
retardation protein) across an entire monkey brain. The goal of the
project is to provide a 3D map of FMRP expression.

Due to technical constraints with the Ab-Ag interactions, the best way
to carry out the histology is to do free-floating IHC on whole-brain
monkey sections (50 microns thick). The obvious problem, of course, is
that it is impossible to maintain the relative spatial information in
the tissue that is essential for constructing a map out of the
histological data because whole sections of the brain often come in
more than one piece. The only solution that comes to mind is to embed
the entire brain in a matrix that will keep the spatial information
intact throughout the histological processing and maintains that
information for subsequent analysis. However, I have absolutely no clue
as to how I can achieve that.

Does anyone know of a method that will allow me to embed the entire
brain such that I can freeze and section the  brain-matrix blocks,
carry out the histology using established free-floating IHC techniques,
and then mount the brain-matrix sections on glass slides for subsequent
analysis?

Many thanks,
SZ
________________________________________________________________________
______________
Shahin Zangenehpour, PhD	 Postdoctoral Fellow   |  P.    514  398  6151
  |  F.    514  398  3255
Psychology Dept  |  McGill University  |  1205 Dr Penfield Ave  |
Montréal   QC   Canada   H3A
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