I've been using sponges from Fisher and two pieces of cut nylon sample
bags.  I use a little weight when I put the tissue into the paraffin
molds.  My big problem is that the vibrotome sections (I've been using 100
um sections) shatter when they're sectioned.  I presume that the tissue,
thin as it is, is in xylene too long before infiltration.  I use a
processor and I suspect that pumping the xylene in and out of the retort
is even too long.  I've not solved that problem yet.  Anybody have ideas
about keeping the tissue happy enough so that I can section it?

 John Carroll Dennis
Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology
109 Greene Hall
Auburn University, AL  36849


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 31 Oct 1998 12:09:04 +0100
From: Joachim Siegmund <jsiegmu@ibm.net>
To: "Victor A. Tobias" <tobiasv@vetmed.wsu.edu>
Cc: histonet@Pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: Re: Thin Brain sections (fwd)

"Victor A. Tobias" wrote:

> I am forwarding this message for Kim as she is having trouble posting to
> histonet. Please respond directly to her or post on the net. Thanks
>
> Victor Tobias
> Manager Tissue Processing Lab
> Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab
> Washington State University
> Pullman Washington 99164-7034
> (509) 335-5590
> (509) 335-7424 fax
> tobiasv@vetmed.wsu.edu
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 09:57:55 -0900
> From: Kim DeRuyter <fnksd1@uaf.edu>
> To: tobiasv@vetmed.wsu.edu
> Subject: Thin Brain sections
>
> Victor,
> I've been trying to post a question on histonet that isn't getting thru.  I
> will keep trying but in the mean time I thought you might have some good
> ideas.  A researcher hear wants parraffin sections of mouse brain cortex.
> The cortex is sliced into 350 micron sections exposed to different
> treatments, then fixed and processed as usual.  The problem is that these
> thin sections warp during processing making it impossible to get a complete
> section of the tissue.  Is it possible to keep the trimmed sections flat
> during processing?  I have never used agar.  Would embedding in agar first
> work?  Or sandwiching in sponges?  Any ideas?
> Thanks much.
> Kim DeRuyter
> Veterinary Services
> UAF

Hi Kim ,

We use water based glue to fix problematic tissues on a piece of cardboard.
Works fine.

Joachim


Joachim Siegmund
BTA
Hamburg,Germany