Hi Scott,

You do not state what specimens you will be sectioning, this information
would be most helpful to enable me to answer you fully.

A saline solution could be used, but if you are using thin disposable knives
then forget it.
You should be able to obtain from the suppliers of embedding compounds their
'Material Safety Data Sheets' this will tell you the components of the
compound which is mainly PVA. I will send you ours on Cryo-M-Bed. If PVA is
ok for your studies, then you can make this yourself without any additives.

Await your reply.

Best Regards

Alan Bright

Bright Instrument Co.Ltd.
St Margaret's Way
Huntingdon
PE18 6EB
England

Tel No:+44 (0)1480 454528
Fax No:+44 (0)1480 456031
Email: AlanBright@brightinstruments.com
Web Site: www.brightinstruments.com

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-----Original Message-----
From: Scott McDonald [mailto:smcdonld@med.usyd.edu.au]
Sent: 05 July 2000 06:41
To: HistoNet Server
Subject: Frozen sectioning


Hi everyone,
            I have been asked to do some frozen sections for a research
project. These specimens need to be frozen into a block , preferably with
the least amount of organic matter involved. Would embedding them in a
saline solution pose any problems ? If this has been done before by anyone,
what concentration have you used/problems did you face? Would anyone be able
to recommend other solutions to use? The routine solution being used in the
lab I have access to , is OTC. Does anyone know the chemical makeup of this
solution (if it is available to the public)?
	Also , I have never done any cutting greater than 7um and I have been asked
to cut these at about 80um . Are there any major problems associated with
thick sectioning.
	Any help at all with this situation will be greatfully appreciated.

S.McDonald
Rm 355
BlackBurn Bld D06
University of Sydney
N.S.W  2006
Australia
ph: [61 (02)] 93516171 or 93517569
fax: [61 (02)] 93514105
smcdonld@imrr.usyd.edu.au