Nick,
Depends on the size of the sample needed and of course the specimen. What 
about using a Jamshidi(?sp) needle used for bone marrow sampling? The ones 
I've seen make a small core biopsy about 2mm diameter. but possibly there 
are larger ones out there. We used to get cores for  metabolic bone studies 
that were larger about 5mm, but I have no idea what they used to get them. 
How about finding a friendly orthopod who will let you look at his array of 
instruments?

Best regards

Louise Renton
Bone Research Unit
MRC
Johannesburg
South Africa
Tel & fax +27 11 717 2298
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana"





>From: Nick Bullough 
>To: "Histonet (E-mail)" 
>Subject: Bone sampling
>Date: Thu, 24 Oct 2002 15:13:04 +0100
>
>Can anyone help with a nice little problem I have?
>
>I need to sample both cortical and cancellous bone for histology and RNA
>extraction. I've seen a dowel cutter that can be attached to a drill to 
>take
>cores of bone that will be ideal for what is needed.
>
>My problem is that the health & safety people are very nervous about
>aerosols and other contamination (bone dust). My idea was to enclose the
>cutting in a box or behind a shield as it will be almost impossible to do
>this within a safety cabinet (and there is still the problem of spray from
>the cutter.
>
>How do other people deal with bone sampling? any good ideas very gratefully
>received!
>
>Best regards
>
>Nick
>
>Nick Bullough BSc(Hons) AIBMS
>Scientist
>Bioresources
>Pharmagene plc
>2 Orchard Road
>Royston
>Herts SG8 5HD
>UK
>
>nick.bullough@pharmagene.com
>
>
>
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