Vibratome for Brain Sectioning

January 03, 2019

Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology
Project JRF
Postdoctoral Researcher

Overall

Performance

Ease-of-Optimization

What do these ratings mean?
Write a Review

Company:

Leica

Product Name:

Leica VT1000 S Vibrating blade microtome

Catalog Number:

14047235613

With this Leica vibratome, it is very easy to take sections of the fixed brain tissue sample. This vibratome uses a vibrating principle to section the brain and can give quality sections up to 5 micron thickness. Very easy to use and clean up, unlike other sectioning equipment (Cryostat and Microtome used for paraffin blocks). You just require 1xPBS, superglue, and a razor blade.

Experimental Design and Results Summary

Application

For taking brain and other tissue sections

Protocol Overview

Dissect out the brain or any other tissue sample that you wanted to section for Immunohistochemistry or Histology. Fix them with a suitable fixative. For brain, PFA fixation is mostly recommended. You can prepare a block for the tissue with low melting agarose or you can use the tissue sample without block also with proper optimization. Using superglue, fix the tissue block or only the tissue in the specimen holder at its lowest position. Fix the razor blade in the sectioning arm and tighten the screws. Fill the specimen containing buffer bath with 1XPBS. Start taking large sections until you reach your region of interest. Then adjust the sectioning arm speed, section thickness (5 to 10 micron mostly for IHC), vibrating frequency. Pick the section and mount in the slide or save it in some culture wells for future use.

Tips

Always be careful when you move your hand over the razor blade while fixing the blade and cleaning. Clean and maintain well after every use for long-lasting performance.

Features Summary

Components: Magnifying lens allows you to zoom in your sections; controllers at the sides of the vibratome will allow you to customize your sectioning; light illumination source allows you to view your sections.

DOI or PMID #

N/A

Additional Notes

N/A

Image Gallery

Summary

The Good

Very quick and easy for sectioning brain tissue unlike Microtome and Cryostat.

The Bad

Sometime it is difficult to pick sections and mount in a slide if the sections are so thin (<5 micron).

The Bottom Line

Highly recommended for sectioning brain tissue.

Join the discussion