[Histonet] Vibratome sections of unfixed tissues

[Monfils, Paul]

For fairly firm tissues like kidney and spleen I just cut a flat surface on
the specimen, blot it on paper towels, and attach it directly to the
specimen holder with "super glue" (cyanoacrylate).  But for very soft
tissues like embryos and most brain specimens, and for specimens with little
internal support like cysts, eyes, membranes that need to be cut on edge,
etc., I embed in 5 to 6% low melting point agarose (Sigma Chemical Co., cat#
A-9414). I then cut a flat surface on the agarose block, and attach that to
the blockholder with super glue.  

I also did a project vibratoming cell pellets of cells grown in liquid
suspension.  I spun down the cells, removed the culture medium, resuspended
the cells in liquid agarose, spun them down again before the agarose
solidified, then allowed the agarose block to form around the pellet.

> ----------
> From: 	histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu on behalf of
> Johnson, Teri
> Sent: 	Friday, July 15, 2005 12:36 PM
> To: 	Histonet
> Subject: 	[Histonet] Vibratome sections of unfixed tissues
> 
> <<File: ATT827022.txt>>
> How does one mount unfixed tissues for vibratome sectioning?  Are they
> encased in any medium such as agarose or gelatin, or simply glued onto the
> stage and sectioned?  I can't seem to find information on this anywhere.
> 
> Thanks, and have a great weekend all!
> 
> Teri Johnson
> Managing Director Histology Facility
> Stowers Institute for Medical Research
> 1000 E. 50th St.
> Kansas City, Missouri  64110
> tjj <@t> stowers-institute.org
> 
> 
> 
> 
>