Microtomy

Leica CM3050 Cryostats

The Bio-Imaging Center currently oversees 3 Leica CM3050S cryostats on campus. The cryostat is used to cut sections of frozen samples embedded in a tissue freezing medium.

The system located at APB is the only Leica CM3050S equipped with the CryoJane® Tape-Transfer System for the collection of flat, wrinkle free sections as thin as 2µm that are bonded to an adhesive slide.  This system aids in collection of difficult tissues.  Additional training on the CryoJane® Tape-Transfer System is by request.

Locations:
-APB (on STAR campus)
-Building X
-Wolf Hall

Ultramicrotomes

The Leica UC7 and Reichert-Jung Ultracut E are used to cut ultrathin and semithin sections of resin-embedded samples for electron microscopy.

Location: APB 141H

Vibratome

The Micro-Cut H1200 vibrating microtome enables sectioning of fresh or fixed tissue without the need for typical specimen processing and embedding or freezing.

Location: APB 141B

Specifications:

  • Section thickness range of 10 to 1000 microns
  • Specimen diameter up to 40mm
  • Blade has a forward travel up to 40mm but can be limited to 35, 30 or 25mm for smaller specimens
  • Automatic blade return after each cutting cycle

Rotary Microtomes

The Microm HM 335E is a power assisted, rotary microtome for sectioning of paraffin embedded specimens.

Location: APB 141B