IEC Minitome, microtome cryostat

As with all microtomes, This  Microtome uses a very sharp glass knife cut tissue into very thin slices.  Such thin tissue samples are then ready for staining and for preparation for optical microscopy, electron microscopy or for laser capture microdissection studies.  The advantage of this tissue slicing device is that it can be used to slice frozen tissue, or it can maintain the sample and the slices at low temperatures, where enzymatic reactions which may degrade DNA or cellular ultrastructure, happen less rapidly.