How to Prepare a Tissue Slide

Preparing tissue for microscopic examination allows scientists and doctors quick access to freshly obtained information from animals and humans alike. In the world of medical research, this process is crucial as it provides a snapshot into what is actually happening, shortly after the specimen is removed from the organism or body. There are certain steps that need to be followed to maintain the integrity of the slide being prepared and prevent it from being ruined and rendered useless.

Things You'll Need

• 2 250 mL low-form glass beakers
• Liquid nitrogen
• Dry ice
• Base mold (peel-away)
• Frozen tissue matrix
• Forceps
• Phosphate-buffered saline solution
• Laboratory cleaning tissue
• 2 petri dishes

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Instructions

• 1

  Fill one of your 250 mL beakers with liquid nitrogen (100 mL worth) and place a similar amount of dry ice in the other beaker and set aside. While the two beakers set, add frozen tissue matrix to your base mold and set aside.

• 2

  Using forceps, take your specimen and place it in cold phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution to remove all the blood.

• 3

  Place the tissue into a clean, dry petri dish, making certain it lays flat. Place a lab tissue on top to absorb any excess blood that didn't get removed in the PBS bath and remove when absorption is complete.

• 4

  Transfer tissue to the frozen tissue matrix molds near the bottom, again making certain to lay it flat.

• 5

  Using forceps, hold the edge of the base mold and remove it from the container, placing it in the beaker of liquid nitrogen. Only the bottom of the mold should touch the top level of liquid nitrogen, and shouldn't touch for longer than 30 seconds.

• 6

  Remove the tissue from the liquid nitrogen and place atop the dry ice in the other 250 mL beaker. It can then be stored in a freezer at -80 degrees Celsius until sectioning is ready to begin.