Capsule-supporting ring: a new device for resin embedding of glass-mounted specimens

J Microsc. 2009 May;234(2):113-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2818.2009.03161.x.

Abstract

The goal of specimen preparation for transmission electron microscopy is to obtain high-quality ultra-thin sections with which we can correlate cellular structure to physiological function. In this study, we newly developed a capsule-supporting ring that can be useful for resin embedding of glass-mounted specimens. The present device allowed us to re-embed a semi-thin section on a microscope slide into a resin block not only for efficient ultra-thin sectioning but also for a correlative light and electron microscopy. Similar to epoxy resins for morphological observations, semi-thin sections of low-viscosity hydrophilic resins, such as Lowicryl series, can be re-embedded into the resin, which can be useful for cytochemical gold labelling. A further application of the present device improved flat embedding of cultured cells on glass cover slips for electron microscopy, preserving in situ sub-cellular structures close to their native state. We practically describe the use of capsule-supporting ring and demonstrate representative micrographs as results.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Epoxy Resins / chemistry*
  • Gastric Mucosa / ultrastructure
  • HeLa Cells / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron*
  • Parietal Cells, Gastric / ultrastructure
  • Plastic Embedding / instrumentation*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Epoxy Resins