Tissue Sectioning

All samples processed through the MBA pipeline are sectioned using a cryostat (Microm HM 550/560) at 20µm thickness, in the specified plane of sectioning. Sectioning is performed using a modified tape-transfer system. The system for collections of alternating slides, across two slides. Sections and slides are maintained in the cold stream of the cryostat, to ensure consistency in temperature of the sections. Each brain block is sectioned entirely, and every section is collected onto the slide. Three segments of tape are placed per slide; each segment contains sections from two brains (unless otherwise noted), for a total of six brain sections mounted on each slide. Post-sectioning, all samples are placed in a slide box and maintained at 4°C until staining.

Glass Slides, Slide Coating, Slide Labeling, and Section Order Schema

Standard, uncoated Starfrost slides are used throughout the project. The slides are cleaned and pre-coated in-house. The coating is specific to the intended use of the slides. All slides are barcode labeled (data matrix) with appropriate metadata for each experiment.