Dear Terry,

Here at Bright Instruments we looked into this phenomenon many years back.
As this phenomenon occurred very occasionally it took some time to resolve,
however we persevered and made available an Anti Static Brush, Part No.
57808. This is brushed over the knife and anti roll plate when the
phenomenon occurs.

These are available through our distributors worldwide.


Best Regards

Alan Bright

Bright Instrument Co.Ltd.
St Margaret's Way
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire
PE29 6EU
England

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

-----Original Message-----
From: t.hacker@har.mrc.ac.uk [mailto:T.Hacker@har.mrc.ac.uk]
Sent: 17 May 2001 08:54
To: 'Histonet'
Subject: Cryostat phenomenon


 Has anyone encountered a phenomenon that I occasionally get
with cryostat frozen sectioning. I assume it is due to static
electrical charges? the sections tend to "leap" from the knife edge
onto the slide, the slide may be some several centimeters from the
section/knife holder.
There is no logic or consistency to this, irrespective of tissue,
fixation, temperature, type of slide; but if it is going to happen then
you can be sure it is when cutting a tiny piece of tissue where
every section is required! It will often disappear as suddenly as it
started, sometimes quite impressive when a section fly's several
cms. to the slide and occasionally lands flat and crease free!
Any idea's?Oh, and I don't wear nylons (not in work anyway).
Terry.
Terry Hacker,
Medical Research Council,
Harwell,
Didcot,
Oxfordshire, OX11 ORD
01235 834393 x360