Razor Blade
Razor Blade - Related Videos
11:37
Propeller Characterization: Variations in Pitch, Diameter, and Blade Number on Performance
0 Views •
2023
Source: Shreyas Narsipur, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC A propeller is a twisted airfoil, where the angle of the chord changes with respect to the location, along the radial station, as shown in Figure 1. Propellers are widely used in aircraft and watercraft propulsion systems thereby necessitating detailed characterizations of propellers to design high performance vehicles. Figure 1. Chord, thickness, and pitch at a radial station. One of...
03:47
Crosslinking Neuronal Surface Proteins in the Mouse Brain using a Chemical Crosslinking Assay
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2025
This video demonstrates the crosslinking of neuronal surface proteins using Bis-sulfosuccinimidyl suberate or BS3. Isolated and chilled mouse brain is sectioned coronally. The desired region is extracted from the sections, minced, and treated with BS3. BS3 crosslinks surface proteins like GABA receptors, leaving internal proteins unaltered. The reaction is quenched with glycine before processing the samples for further analysis.
06:16
Cryosectioning Method for Microdissection of Murine Colonic Mucosa
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Cited by 5 •
2015
Here we describe a simple method for the isolation of spatially distinct murine colonic epithelial surface cells from the underlying crypt-base cells.
06:49
Visualization of Ambient Mass Spectrometry with the Use of Schlieren Photography
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Cited by 4 •
2016
This paper presents a protocol for the visualization of gaseous streams of an ambient ionization source using schlieren photography and mass spectrometry.
03:47
Preparation of Colliculo-Thalamocortical Slices from a Mouse Pup Brain
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2025
The video demonstrates the preparation of colliculo-thalamocortical brain slices from mouse pup brains. An isolated brain is aligned on a marked slide and cut at an angle to align the auditory midbrain and forebrain in the same plane. The brain is then sliced using a vibratome, and the slices containing the major auditory midbrain and forebrain structures are transferred to a holding chamber for preservation.
FAQs
A razor blade’s sharpened edge concentrates force along a narrow line, so cutting can be controlled rather than distributed across a larger area. This concentration helps limit compression while the tissue is being sectioned. In microscopy workflows, preserving the sample’s form in this way supports clearer examination of cellular structure in the resulting thin section.
An appropriately angled razor blade supports controlled cutting with less compression than an incorrectly positioned edge. That matters because excessive compression can alter the specimen during sectioning, making the prepared material less representative of its original cellular structure. Maintaining the intended angle is therefore part of producing useful samples for light microscopy.
Cleanliness helps reduce artifacts when a razor blade is used on biological material. Artifacts are unwanted features introduced during preparation rather than part of the specimen itself. A clean edge is especially relevant before staining or imaging, because preserving the sample during cutting makes later visual interpretation more reliable.
A basic sectioning workflow begins by using the blade to cut a biological specimen into thin sections. Those sections can then be prepared for examination by light microscopy. Depending on the study, the blade may also be used before staining or imaging to trim the sample, helping fit preparation to the intended observation.
Beyond making sections, a razor blade can separate tissues during dissection and remove or shape excess material before downstream preparation. These applications address different stages of biological work: dissection divides the specimen, whereas trimming adjusts a sample for staining or imaging. Selecting the use according to the preparation stage can keep the workflow controlled and purposeful.
Careful handling is part of the biological workflow, not merely a safety precaution. A razor blade can injure the user if handled poorly, while improper disposal can increase both injury and contamination risks. After cutting, responsible disposal and attention to clean technique help protect personnel and reduce the chance that unwanted material affects subsequent laboratory work.