Author Archives: rachel

Antigen retrieval At Precisionary Instruments, because so many of our tissue slicer users handle fixed tissue, we often get asked about antigen retrieval. Today, we’d like to cover this as a short explanatory topic! What is antigen retrieval and why is it important? Have you ever worked with fixed tissue? If you process tissue slices [...]

With all sorts of tissue slicer models on the market, how do you know when to use what type of instrument? In this article, we will review the most common types of tissue slicers, and discuss the best research and clinical applications of each type of equipment. Main Types of Tissue Slicers: A tissue slicer [...]

We would like to announce a new accessory addition to the Compresstome vibrating microtome! Each Compresstome uses a blade holder. Our usual blade holder requires gluing a stainless steel blade to the surface, and then the blade holder is attached to the vibrating head for tissue slicing. Based on customer feedback, we have designed a NEW [...]

While coronaviruses are common causes of mild to moderate upper respiratory tract illnesses, the new coronavirus that has caused the COVID-19 pandemic can lead to several lung damage and viral pneumonia. In the early months of the pandemic, doctors struggled to keep patients breathing, focusing mainly on treating damage to the lung and circulatory systems. [...]

This week, we want to pay tribute to 5 amazing female neuroscientists in history: Maria Manasseina Laura Forster Manuela Serra Augusta Dejerine-Klumpke Cecile Vogt Despite social and cultural obstacles, these women managed to enter the academic world, and worked to find their place and make an impact in neuroscience history. These are women who were [...]

We at Precisionary Instruments have been making tissue slicers for over 15 years. Now, we are launching a brand new product line: ROTARY MICROTOMES! What are rotary microtomes? A microtome makes tissue sections by making cuts that move vertically downward against a knife. A “rotary” microtome uses a rotational handwheel to control the cutting movement. [...]

This weekend is Mother’s Day, and we want to feature a fun article about the “love hormone” that turns on maternal instincts. What makes our mothers into moms? What is the biology behind a mother’s drive to respond to a child? A few years ago, a group of scientists at New York University (NYU) School [...]

Specially tailored for those who do electrophysiology, we have developed a new and improved model called the Compresstome VF-500-0Z. What are the key features?   Improved slice health The Compresstome VF-500-0Z can section tissues to as thin as 2 µm thick. This prevents tissue loss and damage and is an excellent feature for brain connectome [...]

Every year on April 22, we celebrate Earth Day which marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement. The first Earth Day was in 1970 and since then, more than 1 billion individuals have mobilized for action in over 190 countries. Today, we want to explore how the brain plays a role [...]

Cool facts about Rita Levi-Montalcini in Neuroscience: She was the first Nobel Laureate to reach the age of 100 (on April 22, 2009) She served as a Senator for Life in the Italian Senate She has a twin sister, Paola, who was an artist A orchid flower hybrid was named after her (Ophrys × montalciniae)! [...]