It depends really on the size of the cartridge you want to use, small samples will fit a roughly measured 5mm dept, 27mm wide, 40mm long cartridge. Larger cartridges have a 10mm depth, with the other dimensions remaining the same. Usually 10-15 large cartridges can fit into a basket.

For paraffin embedding samples should be collected and stored in 4% Paraformaldhyde short term. For long term storage in 70% ethanol is recommended.

Parrafin embedding processing in the BSI, EM prep lab G.16

1. Dehydration and permeation in molten wax in the Histokinett http://www.leicabiosystems.com/specimen-preparation/tissue-processing/details/product/leica-tp1020/

(All automated, usually processed 10-15 samples on an overnight cycle 21hrs duration)

2. Wax blocking of samples on Tissue tec http://www.sakura-americas.com/products/tisstek-tec5.html

(Manual, processing is not difficult, need 2hrs max to process 10-15 samples)

3. Sectioning of samples on rotary microtome http://www.gmi-inc.com/leica-rm-2135-biocut-rotary-microtome.htm

(Manual, processing can be difficult especially in warmer weather, need a few days to section 10-15 blocks, depending on your method of sectioning)

Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience

Anatamaíocht agus Néareolaíocht

Room 2.33, 2nd Floor, Western Gateway Building, University College, Cork, Ireland