An ultramicrotome is a scientific instrument used to prepare very thin slices of material for microscopy. It is used for electron and light microscopy, and can be dangerous if not handled properly. Preparing specimens before slicing ensures clean, sharp slices. Access to the device may require training and scheduling.
An ultramicrotome is a scientific instrument designed to prepare very thin slices of material to be studied under a microscope. The width of the slices varies, depending on the device and the settings chosen by the user, but can be in the order of tens of nanometres. To put that into perspective, that’s about the size of a virus and several orders of magnitude smaller than the width of a human hair. These instruments are sold by manufacturers and scientific supply companies, and are sometimes available for long-term rental by laboratories and organizations that cannot afford the cost of labeling.
There are several types of microscopy for which samples prepared with an ultramicrotome can be invaluable. The ability to create very thin slices can be used to explore the detailed structure of living organisms, manufactured materials, and many other substances. The microscopy techniques for which these types of specimens are used include electron microscopy and light microscopy, in which case the preparation of even very thin sections is important for many types of specimens.
Specimens can be prepared before being sliced in an ultramicrotome to ensure slices are uniform and crisp. Cryosections are done by freezing a sample before cutting, and it is also possible to force paraffin into a sample so it holds its shape. When these preparations are used, a specimen sliced in an ultramicrotome will be very sharp and clean, with firm definition that will be highly visible under a microscope. An advantage of using a cryosection is that samples can be prepared without fixative, keeping the sample properties intact.
An ultramicrotome device can be dangerous. Microtomes, the devices used to prepare slices for microscopy, typically have very sharp blades that need to be handled with care. Extreme sharpness is even more critical for an ultramicrotome because the sections it prepares are so thin. It is also important to ensure that the device is well maintained to avoid problems that could be caused by incorrect calibration, improper lubrication and other symptoms of neglect.
In a lab that has an ultramicrotome, people may need to program time on the device, demonstrating that many people want access to it and as a result, it may not always be available. People are also usually expected to complete a course covering safety and how to use the ultramicrotome before being allowed alone time with the device. This ensures that people are qualified to operate the ultramicrotome before they start using it, reducing the risk of breakage, damage, injury or lost time.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
