Frozen brain samples-extraction tools - (Jul/09/2010 )

Hello everybody,

We've got some frozen human brain samples and I need to do some biochemical studies with them and my colleague needs to do some sectioning. Previously he tried to get some pieces of a brain sample, but he couldn't get the desired amount as intact material. I mean, there are some practical difficulties while cutting the frozen brain.

If someone got idea about some specialized tools used for this purpose, kindly let me know, it will be a great help.

Have a nice weekend!

St

For sectioning the brain will need to be embedded in OCT (optimal cutting temperature) medium and cryosectioned. The brains will also need to have been flash frozen in LN2 or on dry ice.

Thanks Bob,
Brains were flash frozen. But as just obtain the brain from other parties, it was just frozen and transported to us one year before. Right now, its not i OCT. The problem is, we need to analyse the samples for both biochemistry and immunohistochemistry studies. Taking some pieces from the frozen brain appears to be tricky, and will be very helpful if someone could enlighten me about the existing tools for the same.

Thanks
St

I use (to get small chunks - 20-50 mg) of frozen mouse brain a sharp,small blade that I mildly heat in a dry heater block. the tissue does not chirp and jump anymore. I keep the brain in an aluminum foil bed with dry ice around.

V.

Thanks Victorius!

I ll give a try. Our IHC team was bit skeptic to go for the experiment fearing we might damage the samples. I can't wait until they come up with some time point to start the experiments.

St.

Update: My colleague came up with a suggestion to use Hot filament cutter. We've ordered it, will keep you posted how efficient it would be.

St.