Excellent Vibrating Microtome For Slice Electrophysiology

April 24, 2017

Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience
Graduate student

Overall

Performance

Ease-of-Optimization

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Company:

Camden Instruments Ltd.

Product Name:

Vibrating Microtome 7000

Catalog Number:

7000smz-2

The research in our laboratory primarily uses in vivo and in vitro electrophysiology to examine the role of the cerebellum in health and disease. This piece of equipment is essential the researchers in our lab who perform whole cell patch clamp recordings and extracellular recordings from brain slices.

Experimental Design and Results Summary

Application

visual whole-cell, voltage clamp and exctracellular recordings from brain slices

Starting Material

Dissected mouse brain

Protocol Overview

This equipment is used to makes slices a freshly dissected mouse brain. Before doing anything with the animal, the blade should be aligned and the z-axis deflection should be 0.2 or less. Ceramic blades are used in our laboratory. Fill bath with ice. Anesthetize mouse according to institutional animal protocol. Decapitate and quickly dissect out brain and place in ice cold, bubbling ACSF. Block brain as needed and secure to holder using super glue. Place holder in the bath. Bring the blade close to the brain and begin taking slices. If slicing in cold solution, you can advance slightly faster (.11 mm/sec). Transfer slices to aCSF at 34 degrees.

Tips

You can also slice in warm solutions, but you should slice at much slower speeds. Blade should be replaced approximately every month depending on frequency of use and aligned before every experiment.

Results Summary

Cells in slices made with this vibratome are quite visible and remain healthy for hours after recordings. They can be used to obtain high-quality whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings.

Features Summary

Includes a z-axis calibration unit and Z-axis blade adjust minimizer, provides ability to set start and stop position from blade travel, and ice water bath is easily removed for cleaning.

DOI or PMID #

N/A

Additional Notes

N/A

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Summary

The Good

High quality slices, ability to minimize Z-axis deflection

The Bad

Screws used to adjust Z-deflection strip easily. Must be replaced frequently.

The Bottom Line

This is a great vibratome that produces quality slices. It has been used frequently (sometimes 2-3 times daily) and remained reliable for approximately 2 years so far.

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