title: A cryoglue to mount vitreous biological specimens for cryoultramicrotomy at 110K.
abstract: Mixtures of ethanol, 2-propanol and 2-butanol can be used as a cryoglue to mount vitrified biological specimens for ultrathin cryosectioning. Brought directly from room temperature to a cutting support at 140 K in the cold chamber of a cryoultramicrotome, these alcohols stiffen to a viscous and gluey consistency allowing the attachment or embedding of a vitreous biological sample. The mass hardens at lower temperatures fixing the sample well for microtomy. With ethanol: 2-propanol (2:3), samples are applied at 140 K and ultrathin cutting can be done at 115 K.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Analyse Ultrastructurale, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Richter
mesh_terms: D000433:1-Propanol; D000440:Butanols; D016616:Cryoultramicrotomy; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000431:Ethanol; D005629:Frozen Sections; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D000440:Butanols; D000431:Ethanol; D000433:1-Propanol