title: A new microbiopsy system enables rapid preparation of tissue for high-pressure freezing.
abstract: A microbiopsy system was developed to overcome long sampling times for tissues before they are cryo-fixed by high-pressure freezing. A commercially available biopsy gun was adapted to the needs of small-organ excisions, and biopsy needles were modified to allow small samples (0.6 mm x 1.2 mm x 0.3 mm) to be taken. Specimen platelets with a central slot of the same dimensions as the biopsy are used. A self-made transfer device (in the meantime optimized by Leica-Microsystems [Vienna, Austria]) coordinates the transfer of the excised sample from the biopsy needle into the platelet slot and the subsequent loading in a specimen holder, which is then introduced into a high-pressure freezer (Leica EM PACT; Leica Microsystems, Vienna, Austria). Thirty seconds preparation time is needed from excision until high-pressure freezing. Brain, liver, kidney and muscle excisions of anesthetised rats are shown to be well frozen.
authors.affiliation: Anatomical Institute, University of Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Dimitri
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vanhecke
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eggli
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Graber
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Studer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D001921:Brain / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017110:Freeze Substitution / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005615:Freezing; D007668:Kidney / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008099:Liver / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011312:Pressure; D051381:Rats