Tissue quality and stain quality are two key aspects to publishable images from immunocytochemistry (ICC) results. Working with fresh tissue is also very important to maintaining good antigen binding sites. There are a few tissue slicers on the market that allow for thin slices of freshly fixed tissue, but few measure up to the quality and dependability of the Vibratome 3000 Plus from MyNeuroLab.
The Vibratome 3000 has many features that make tissue slicing an enjoyable experience. The unit can switched from manual (during slicing setup) to automated mode (for continuous slicing) in a breeze using the waterproof button console, but it does require a little training to get familiar with these controls. The automated sectioning is very useful for producing a large volume of sections and the LED display allows for re-zeroing of the stage depth (on the Z axis) and re-zeroing of the section count, if the user wishes to take a number of sections from any given point of reference. However, one drawback of this unit is that the serial sectioning does not stop unless you reach the top of the stage (the countdown feature was present on the older 1500 series and is sorely missed).
Over the thirteen years I have been doing ICC, the Vibratome tissue sectioning system has progressed to produce many time-saving features that I have come to enjoy, such as a well-insulated media bath that keeps the solutions cold longer, an adjustable blade angle of up to 25 degrees and an adjustable sectioning window so the blade does not have to travel the whole y axis during slicing: it can be adjusted to start just before the tissue and reverse just after the section has been sliced. The unit allows for blade speed and vibration controls using manual knobs on the front of the machine that are separate from the console and allow for quick adjustments when dealing with difficult tissue. The blade vibration is extremely smooth thanks to a unique leaf-spring design that controls the z-axis blade movement. I have had very few problems with our machines, but when I have had to send one back for repairs, the turn around time has been excellent and the feedback is quick.
I have been slicing formaldehyde fixed rodent brain tissue (and sometimes brown adipose tissue) on the coronal plane for over 10 years using vibratomes, ranging from the Classic series right up to the 3000 Plus. The tissue quality has been excellent from 40 microns (which is our usual thickness) as well as thicker slices. We use our slices in ICC experiments where results are visualized using a Leica Microscope and analyzed using NIH Image software (supplied by the Scion Corporation).
Barry Robinson
Research Technician/Lab Manager
Concordia University
Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology