Hi all,

I have the Instrumedics Paraffin Tape Transfer system and I haven't
had very good results with it yet.  I'm wondering if anybody out 
there can give me some pointers on using it and getting consistent results.

Essentially I start out with a cold (approx. 0-2 degrees C), 
dry paraffin block, not iced or wet. I apply the tape and roll it
with the roller, and take one cut.  Things look fine to this point.
I place the tape onto a coated slide and roll again with the 
roller.  (There usually appear to be places that are obviously 
thicker than others on the slide, but I always roll it firmly to 
try to get the best adhesion.)  I then cure the slides, tape side 
down, using the provided UV light fixture for 60 seconds.  I take 
the slides to the hood and place them in the hydrocarbon solution 
also provided with the system, and slowly (very, very slowly) peel 
the tape off in a diagonal manner. I have allowed the slides to sit 
in the hydrocarbon for up to 10 minutes and see no difference in 
performance (i.e. the tape does not come off easier).

I have yet to be able to keep all of my sections on the glass slide.  
I have tried this with mouse femurs and now mouse heads.  I have 
tried using room temperature blocks, and this doesn't work well 
either.  I have tried different cutting angles of my blade, used 
different blades from different vendors, and changed paraffin.  
I have cured slides from 30 to 90 seconds.  I have placed the tape
on the slide and then rolled it flat, and have also tried rolling
the tape onto the slide in case I have bubbles under the tape.

I'm really at a loss as to what to do next.  I know some folks have 
used this system for the tissue microarrays, so, somebody...help?

Egg nog (with a little less egg and a little more nog) to the folks
who can help me with this!

Thanks!

Teri Johnson
Managing Director Histology Facility
Stowers Institute for Medical Research
1000 E. 50th St.
Kansas City, Missouri  64110
tjj@stowers-institute.org