Light Microscopy: Two automatic tissue processors (RMC 1530 and Thermo Shandon Excelsior) and a Leica EG1160 paraffin-embedding unit are located in the OMRF Imaging facility. Two rotary microtomes (Microm HM560) are located in the Microscopy Core. For cryo-sectioning, all expertise and tools required for freezing and embedding fixed or unfixed tissues in mounting medium (OCT) are available in the Microscopy Core. The Core also has two cryostat microtomes (Microm HM355 and Leica CM3050) that produce frozen sections of fixed or unfixed tissues (0.5-300 µm). In addition, the Core has a Mcllwain Tissue Chopper 800 and a Vibratome (Vibratome Inc.), which can be used for preparation of fresh thick tissue sections (20 µm to 1 mm) required for immunofluorescence confocal imaging and 3D reconstruction and for immunoperoxidase staining for electron microscopy.
Electron Microscopy: The Microscopy Core is equipped with instruments for embedding and sectioning of epoxy and acrylic resins, including a RMC MT-6000 ultramicrotome with a CR-2000-ultracryo attachment for generation of ultrathin cryosections. Core staff also has access to a Leica EM UC6 ultramicrotome with an EM FC Cryo Unit, located in the OMRF Imaging Core.