Improved Tissue Sections for Light and Electron Microscopy

The US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD) seeks to commercialize through patent licensing an improved method for preparing the same frozen tissue sample for both light and electron microscopy. Background USAMRICD has developed and patented a procedure for preparing frozen skin samples that can be subject to various staining procedures, including immunohistochemistry. This invention is an improved method for creating a preserved, free-floating cryostat skin section for easy processing and analysis from light microscopy to electron microscopy. Conventional frozen skin sections tend to be thick and do not lend themselve to both light and electron microscopy. The Army's procedure for floating the skin sections and applying a cryoprotectant solution after cryopreservation, results in good immunostaining, good ultrastructural integrity of the basement membrane zone and good morphological clarity using the same sample under light and electron microscopy. Benefits Faster: Rapid results from immune-staining using light and electron microscopy Clearer: Avoids the clumping and thickness associated with traditional cryo and vibroatome sections Versatile: Potential applications for diagnosis of immune-related skin and renal disorders in addition to the demonstrated value in the diagnosis of skin basement proteins This invention is currently available for license and commercialization.