paleo@ecsvax.UUCP (Constantine A. LaPasha) (07/13/89)
We have a problem with some parts of our protocol for preparing permanent slides (microscope slides) of sections of plastic embedded plant material. We are embedding samples of wood (secondary xylem) in hydroxy-propyl-methacrylate catalized with benzoyl peroxide and mixed with triethylene glycol as a plasticizer. Blocks are polymerized at 50-60C for 24-48 hrs and sectioned at 5-10 microns on a rotary microtome with steel knives. Sections are floated on water and dried on glass slides. Cover glasses are mounted with "Plastic Mount" from Polysciences and cured under long wave UV for ~2 min. Now the problem -- blank areas of plastic in sections prepared as above develop what appears to be crazing - small dark lines - that are quite apparent when viewed with phase contrast. My guess is that there is some incompatability between the embedding plastic and the mounting plastic. I don't remember this problem when I used to use canada balsam or permount or kleermount in xylene to mount cover glasses. Has anyone else had this problem? Any suggestions for remedies? Thanks. Kostya LaPasha paleo@ecsvax.uncecs.edu -- ===================================================================== Kostya LaPasha paleo@uncecs.edu or paleo@ecsvax.uncecs.edu == computers get the munchies too - memory hungry, want chips... === ==========NCSU is not responsible...=================================