Superficial Warming of Epoxy Blocks for Cutting of 25–150 μm Sections to be Resectioned in the 40–90 nm Range

Abstract

An improved method is described in which tissue areas can be initially identified in thick sections by light microscopy and isolated for subsequent ultrathin sections and observation by electron microscopy. This is achieved by embedding in hard Epon which can be sectioned at 25–150 μm on a sliding microtome after softening the blockface by applying a 60–70 C tacking iron to its surface immediately before each section is taken. The thick sections are then mounted on plastic slides to enable light microscopic selection of areas to be observed by electron microscopy. The selected areas are remounted on faced Epon blanks and resectioned at less than 50 nm. This technique makes it possible to obtain thick sections while maintaining an Epon hard enough for good serial ultrathin sections.