Abstract
A microbiopsy system was developed to overcome long sampling times for tissues before they are cryo-fixed by high-pressure freezing. A commercially available biopsy gun was adapted to the needs of small-organ excisions, and biopsy needles were modified to allow small samples (0.6 mm k 1.2 mm × 0.3 mm) to be taken. Specimen platelets with a central slot of the same dimensions as the biopsy are used. A self-made transfer device (in the meantime optimized by Leica-Microsystems [Vienna, Austria]) coordinates the transfer of the excised sample from the biopsy needle into the platelet slot and the subsequent loading in a specimen holder, which is then introduced into a high-pressure freezer (Leica EM PACT; Leica Microsystems, Vienna, Austria). Thirty seconds preparation time is needed from excision until high-pressure freezing. Brain, liver, kidney and muscle excisions of anesthetised rats are shown to be well frozen.
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© 2006 Humana Press Inc.
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Vanhecke, D., Eggli, P., Graber, W., Studer, D. (2006). A New Microbiopsy System Enables Rapid Preparation of Tissue for High-Pressure Freezing. In: Taatjes, D.J., Mossman, B.T. (eds) Cell Imaging Techniques. Methods in Molecular Biology™, vol 319. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-993-6_21
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-993-6_21
Publisher Name: Humana Press
Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-157-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-993-6
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