Ultramicrotomy: Instrumentation and Techniques

This chapter explains the practical details of successfully sectioning embedded specimens for TEM. It describes one of the most promising ultramicrotomy techniques that aims to retain and represent traditional ultramicrotome (UM) utility. Special light is given to the parts of the process that are the key to the successful sectioning of any biological specimen. Ultramicrotomy has been an essential skill for electron microscopists since the first light of TEM, although all the steps of ultramicrotomy have been exceptionally challenging. However, skilled microtomists have developed techniques to minister to this process over time. This chapter aims to assist beginners in ultramicrotomy to understand more about the principle and terms used along with its procedure and utility in successfully producing ultrathin (UT) sections and also the post-sectioning method, i.e., staining of UT sections to prepare the sample for TEM viewing. Achieving the desired UT sections requires special preparatory techniques to get quality transmission electron micrographs. The standard technique for ultramicrotomy involves many critical steps.