We have seen this happen also.  What we do is keep a bottle of absolute
alcohol right next to the cryostat and if static occurs we put some alcohol
on a piece of gauze and wipe the gauze on the glove of the hand that will
hold the glass slide. If the static is really bad we have even wiped the
back side of the slide with the alcohol soaked gauze.   Works best for
us!!!!

Dawn Schndier
HYMC
-----Original Message-----
From: t.hacker@har.mrc.ac.uk <T.Hacker@har.mrc.ac.uk>
To: 'Histonet' <Histonet@pathology.swmed.edu>
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2001 4:24 AM
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