Kelly I did what you are doing with CHO cells pelleted. I pelleted the cells and then put the 15 ml conicle tip under liquid nitrogen for  about 1 minute, inverted the tube and popped out the pellet. I then froze the pellet in OCT. The pellet did melt a little but I was able to cut the pellet and do immuno on it. I used a lot of cell 10 million/ml the pellet was large. Hope it helps.

Jamie Erickson
Genetics Institute
Andover, MA 
>>> Kelly Randall <kellyr@neuro.hfh.edu> 03/29 3:43 PM >>>

We are trying to cryosection samples of brain cells that have been spun 
down in a centrifuge tube.   The frozen pellets are "popped" out of 
the tube, but they begin to thaw when the embedding media is added.
If we tried to use a thinner walled centrifuge tube would it be possible 
to section the pellets AND the tube together?  We have a  cryotome 
that used disposable blade, and another that has a stainless blade.  I 
guess that this is quite possible right, since many of you cut bone, but 
would like some tips if anyone has them to offer.

Thanks in advance!
Kelly  

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