Hi everybody,
I am beginning with the inclusion of biological samples (fish larvae) in resin (i.e. Technovit 7100). I am experimenting some troubles during the cut at the microtome (I would like to cut at 4 microns). I have a Leica RM2125 RTS (a manual one), which I have upgraded with a knife holder base "non-orientable" and a knife holder type N, plus a Kultzer blade holde and Technovit histoblades. I began working with an angle of the whole knife of 10°, since in the past I had cut samples with that angle but using a different Leica microtome (equipped with the same stuffs I wrote above). However, my slices completely break on the microtome, and the blade makes a terrible noise during cutting. The strange thing is that I cannot find any configuration that solve my problem (I've tried to change angle, blade, orientation of the sample etc), but sometimes I can save some good slices (without making any noise of the blade and intact). When I change sample, I meet the same problem again. I have tried on blocks with the biological sample inside, and blocks without any sample inside, only resin, but the result is quite the same.
Can anyone help me? I think the protocol inclusion is ok, just in case I am preparing other samples to confirm that anything was good.
Hi Barbara,
I had a similar problem: crashing/bumping noises when passing the block through the razor. A number of factors can occur for this to be happening, and I'll make some points that I used in my protocol and were useful in my situation.
First, I suggest checking if the surface where the microtome is located is completely leveled, and that there is nothing below it that can interfere with this process - microbalancing could be fatal. Another tip is to check the quality of the blades you have available, since the knife edge may not be suitable for clean cutting.
As you pointed out, maybe you should check the resin batch quality (e.g. due date) - if possible, check the availability of using Leica Historesin. Finally, I suggest gently cleaning the tungsten blade with a small cloth moistened with xylene, to aid slicing of some dried, stuborn blocks.
I hope everything goes well and your work is successful!
Cheers,
Paulo
Hi Barbara, old manual rotation and sliding microtoms need to be oiled from time to time to run without problems. Evan this could be reason for bad sectioning results. I would change the knife angel (
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