Technique for the Transfer of Tissue or Cytology Samples from Standard Slides to Positively Charged Slides

This technique enables transferring of stained or unstained tissue or cytology samples from standard slides to positively charged slides.

Instruments Used

Supplies

• Mount-Quick
• Diamond Marking Pen
• Scalpel blade
• Charged slides
• Graded alcohols
• Xylene

Procedure

1. The area of interest is marked with a diamond pen on the underside of the slide.
2. A) For stained sections, the coverslip is removed by soaking in xylene
   B) For unstained sections or smears, the sample is dehydrated in xylene to prepare for mounting media.
3. The Mount-Quick is spread over the entire area, ensuring that the slide is coated in xylene, forming a meniscus over the tissue.
4. The slide is placed in an oven at 60 °C for at least 1.5 to 2 hours or at 37 °C overnight to harden the mounting media, which is essential for proceeding further.
5. The area corresponding to that on the slide underside is marked on the mounting media using the diamond pen.
6. The slide is then soaked in warm water for at least an hour.
7. Using a scalpel blade, the edge of the media is pried to test if it can be easily released. If not, the soaking is continued.
8. When the section is removed, it is placed on a charged or adhesive-coated slide. The section should be placed with the same side down as on the original slide.
9. The slide and media are wetted to ensure adhesion.
10. A gauze soaked in warm water is placed on top of the section (using gloves). The water is removed by pressing on the gauze with the thumb. This is help keep the edges of the media down.
11. The slide is kept in an oven (37–60 °C) horizontally for at least an hour.
12. When the slide has become dry and has adhered, the media can be removed.
13. The slides are placed in xylene (4 changes, 3 minutes each) until all the Mount-Quick has dissolved. An additional 2–4 minute soak in xylene can be added if needed.
14. The sample is rehydrated using ethanol (twice) 100%, 95%, and water.

Notes

Temperature higher than 60 °C should not be used.

Positively charged adhesive slides provide the best adhesion.

After the original sectioning, if a hot plate was used to spread the paraffin section, removing the entire section becomes very difficult. Even extended soaking does not help.

References

• “The Preparation of Serial Microscopic Sections in Form of Plastic Films.” Demonstration at the Annual meeting of the International Academy of Pathology, Weibel, E., Shenk, R., Morger, R., Toendury, G., Boston, 1959.
• “Application of Diatex Compound in Cytology: Use in Preparing Multiple Slides from a Single Routine Smear,” Jimenez, Joseph D., Gangi, MD., Acta Cytol 30:445, 1986.
• “Diagnostic Immunocytochemistry and Electron Microscopy-Preparing Multiple Slides from a Single Smear,” Yazdi, H., Dardick, I., Igaku-Shoin, New York-Tokyo, 1992, pp. 36-39.

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Ted Pella, Inc.

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