[Histonet] Microwave Tissue Processing with Small Reagent Volumes

[Tom Strader]

Hi,
We're interested in reducing reagent consumption for microwave TEM
processing of animal and plant tissues and have found few references to
optimizing reagent volume in the literature.  Experiments described are
typically carried out in micro-centrifuge tubes or scintillation vials
which contain between 2ml and 5ml of fixative, rinses, dehydrants and
resins; and we'd like to use much less.  
Does anyone know of a predictable dependence between sample volume,
microwave energy and/or microwave cycle time for successful processing?
Has anyone successfully microwave processed small amounts of tissue in
between 100 ul and 500 ul of reagent?
Also, regarding lab microwave wattage settings (e.g. Biowave); does
anyone know if the stated wattage is the microwave output or the wattage
used by the magnetron?  (i.e. For a 60 W light bulb, 60 W is a measure
of the electrical power consumed and not a measure of the light that is
produced. A more efficient light bulb, or a more efficient magnetron,
would produce more light or more microwaves.)
Thanks!
Best regards,
Tom
Thomas E. Strader, MS-Biotech
Heartland Biotech | Madison, WI, USA | 608-770-7649 |
<http://www.heartlandbiotech.com/> www.heartlandbiotech.com