HISTOLOGY Facility INM (microtomy)

Head : Chantal RIPOLL

The microtomy section of the histology facility shelters various microtomes : cryomicrotomes (frozen sections for optical microscopy) and ultramicrotomes (plastic sections for electron microscopy). It is opened to all INM members, and also to the Montpellieran scientific community.

Two Leica cryostat (2800th Frigocut, CM3050) to cut 4- to 30-µm frozen sections.
Cryostats are cryogenic devices which maintain a steady temperature from 10°C to -50°C, in a thermically isolated chamber. Inside the chamber is a microtome, to cut fixed or unfixed tissue samples, hardened by freezing, in serial or non serial sections. Use of cryosections in optic microscopy is diverse, from the simple staining for structural analysis to immunohistochemistry with a choice of various markers : fluorochromes in multiple labelling, enzymes in double labelling, colloidal gold and silver staining in double labelling. They are also widely used in in situ hybridization.

Two Leica ultracuts to cut semi-thin (0.5 to 2 µm) or ultrathin (50 to 100 nm) sections for transmission electron microscopy. Use of these sections is necessary to observe the intracellular structure (mitochondria, golgi, nucleus) with multiple applications : classical ultrastructural observations but also immuno-electron microscopy in simple or double labelling in enzymatic pre- or post-embedding, or with colloidal gold.

Use free small materials for microtomy :

1. Two Leica knife-makers used for manufacturing glass knives for ultramicrotomy, obtained from a glass sheet cut in 25 or 38-mm wide stripes.

1. Diamond knives made of natural raw diamonds. They are used to obtain 250 nm to 5-µm semithin sections and 30- to 250-nm ultrathin sections.

• Supporting grids for ultrathin sections.

A full-time technician is available to perform frozen sections from various tissues (muscle, bone, eye, ear, spinal cord, brain…) for all INM or IFR3 members, upon reservation on the INM intranet.

Globe oculaire

Theoretical and technical training courses are proposed to all INM members and outside users. A specific documentation is available on the INM intranet. Technological watching is ensured to provide users with high-performance and top quality materials.

Epithélium olfactif

We will acquire a new cryostat to respond to the growing demand of the current and future users. We expect that the INM histology facility, including a new electron microscope, will become part of the RIO Montpellier imaging network, to facilitate funds raising and the access of the facility to many users.

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