"Dr. Ian Montgomery." <ian.montgomery@bio.gla.ac.uk>
<html>
Terry,<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>Been there
many times over the years. Tried earthing the microtome, whole cabinet,
zapping the inside of the chamber with an antistatic pistol but with
little success. The thing I found works, to a degree, is the Basil
Fawlty. Jump up and down on the spot, curse and swear and warn the block
that if it doesn't behave you'll give it a damn good thrashing. Failing
that I just go and stare at My Little Calender Girl 2001 calender.
Doesn't help the block but gets me into a more relaxed tranquil state for
the next effort.<br>
Ian.<br><br>
<br><br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>Date: Thu, 17 May 2001 08:54:05
+0100<br>
From: "t.hacker@har.mrc.ac.uk"
<T.Hacker@har.mrc.ac.uk><br>
Subject: Cryostat phenomenon<br>
To: "'Histonet'" <Histonet@pathology.swmed.edu><br><br>
Has anyone encountered a phenomenon that I occasionally get <br>
with cryostat frozen sectioning. I assume it is due to static <br>
electrical charges? the sections tend to "leap" from the knife
edge <br>
onto the slide, the slide may be some several centimeters from the <br>
section/knife holder.<br>
There is no logic or consistency to this, irrespective of tissue, <br>
fixation, temperature, type of slide; but if it is going to happen then
<br>
you can be sure it is when cutting a tiny piece of tissue where <br>
every section is required! It will often disappear as suddenly as it
<br>
started, sometimes quite impressive when a section fly's several <br>
cms. to the slide and occasionally lands flat and crease free! <br>
Any idea's?Oh, and I don't wear nylons (not in work anyway).<br>
Terry.<br>
Terry Hacker,<br>
Medical Research Council,<br>
Harwell,<br>
Didcot,<br>
Oxfordshire, OX11 ORD<br>
01235 834393 x360</blockquote>
<x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
<font color="#0000FF">Dr. Ian Montgomery,<br>
West Medical Building,<br>
University of Glasgow,<br>
Glasgow,<br>
G12 8QQ.<br>
Tel: 0141 339 8855. Extn:6602.<br>
Fax: 0141 330 2923<br>
e-mail: ian.montgomery@bio.gla.ac.uk</font></html>