[Histonet] microtome angle

[Rene J Buesa]

The sectioning angle is one of the trickiest aspects of the "art of microtomy" and is not something that can be written on stone.
The angle that you need to obtain a good section (either individual or serial) will depend on any or all of the following factors:
1- the type of blade (steel permanent or disposable of low or high profile);
2- the type of paraffin used;
3- the block temperature;
4- the type of tissue and how well (or not) it was infiltrated, meaning that the tissue processing will have also an effect;
5- the size and shape of the block/tissue; and
6- the sectioning speed, amongst other minor "adjustments".
 
On the other hand it will be extremely difficult to change the angle for each block or circumstance, so the best course of action is to have a standard tissue processing, a standard type of blade or knife, select an angle of about 15º and work the block by changing the temperature and sectioning speed, i.e., let the sectioning speed "take care" of the differences between blocks.
It has always worked for me.
René J.

--- On Tue, 1/27/09, sjromey <@t> bellsouth.net <sjromey <@t> bellsouth.net> wrote:

From: sjromey <@t> bellsouth.net <sjromey <@t> bellsouth.net>
Subject: [Histonet] microtome angle
To: Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2009, 8:20 AM

Good morning,
I am having a problem with my microtome angle.  I have a reichert-jung 2030
microtome.  I cut mainly prostate biopsies and some cervical-ecc biopsies and a
few skins.  What is a good setting for the angle?  
Thanks in advance
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