Large Format Technology

NSA has recently enhanced it's offerings with the addition of extremely large format section processing. Using a specially designed stage and modified hydraulically driven microtome, NSA can now cut and process large format sections such as an entire human brain hemisphere. Large sections such as these are typically cut at 60-80ยต and are mounted by NSA intact on a single slide.

Human brain being freeze sectionedKey Preparation Elements for Successful Processing (Human and other large brains):

  • • Minimize the time from death until formaldehyde fixation.
  • • At brain removal, perfuse fix through the vasculature.
  • • Store the brain in a large volume (5-10x brain volume) of buffered formaldehyde and/or change regularly.
  • • NEVER FREEZE the tissue.
Please note: NSA can work with tissue in a variety of conditions, but best results are achieved using the guidelines above. Contact NSA to discuss your specific needs.

Advantages to Large Format Sections:

  • Uniformity of staining and section thickness of entire extent of hemisphere section.
  • For stereology, only intact, adjacent sections (like ones that result from our method) yield sampling that is compliant with stereologic principles.
  • The inclusion of adjacent structures on the same slide provide anatomical coherence and a comprehensive perspective of the brain even when a small area of the brain is the focus.

Tissue Resource for Researchers:

There are various organizations that can acquire human brain tissue with specific characteristics (disease, genetic traits, etc). With some organizations, the tissue may be purchased. With others, the tissue is granted to researchers that fulfill certain requirements, such as use for research or educational purposes. NSA can provide a list of these organizations to researchers, and can then process the tissue for research or reference purposes. Contact us to discuss your needs and receive a referral to an appropriate organization.
Human brain section stained with thionine cell body stain

Pictured is a section cut from a human brain and stained with Thionine to reveal normal cell bodies.

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