Wax Sectioning
Wax Sectioning - Related Videos
02:43
Deparaffinization and Rehydration of Tissue Sections: A Two-step Procedure to Remove Paraffin Wax from FFPE Tissue Slides Followed by Tissue Rehydration
0 Views •
2023
In this video, we demonstrate the processing of FFPE or formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections obtained from gastrointestinal tumor tissue. The deparaffinization and rehydration steps allow the processing of the tissue specimen for subsequent analytical applications.
01:50
Cross-Sectional Research
0 Views •
2020
In cross-sectional research, a researcher compares multiple segments of the population at the same time. If they were interested in people's dietary habits, the researcher might directly compare different groups of people by age. Instead of following a group of people for 20 years to see how their dietary habits changed from decade to decade, the researcher would study a group of 20-year-old individuals and compare them to a group of 30-year-old individuals and a group of 40-year-old...
09:22
Sectioning Mammary Gland Whole Mounts for Lesion Identification
0 Views •
Cited by 13 •
2017
We developed a method to successfully remove, process, section, and stain, for histopathological evaluation, mammary tissue that had originally been fixed on slides as whole mounts. This method may promote the collection and evaluation of mammary gland whole mounts in reproductive and developmental test guideline studies.
03:14
Vibratome Sectioning of Whole Murine Kidney: A Technique to Generate Thin Sections of Murine Kidney
0 Views •
2023
In this video, we demonstrate the vibratome sectioning of a whole mouse kidney to obtain thin slices. These sliced tissue sections can be stored at low temperatures until further downstream analysis.
11:27
Immunohistochemistry on Paraffin Sections of Mouse Epidermis Using Fluorescent Antibodies
0 Views •
Cited by 2 •
2008
We describe a reliable method for immunolocalization within the epidermis modified for both frozen and paraffin sections that we use very routinely in our laboratory.
FAQs
During wax sectioning, molten paraffin infiltrates the prepared tissue and then solidifies around it in an embedded block. This transition creates a stable support for producing uniform slices with a microtome. Consistent support helps expose cellular structures across sections, allowing researchers to examine tissue organization and morphology more clearly under the microscope.
Fixation and dehydration are required preparation stages before paraffin infiltration. The tissue must first be fixed and dehydrated so it can undergo the subsequent embedding process described for wax sectioning. Proper progression through these stages supports formation of a usable paraffin block, which can then be sectioned and examined for cellular and tissue-level features.
A paraffin block preserves the prepared specimen and allows repeated sectioning rather than limiting examination to a single slice. Researchers can therefore obtain additional sections when studying tissue organization, cellular morphology, development, or disease-related changes. This capacity also makes stored blocks valuable for routine histology, teaching, and continuing research investigations.
The workflow begins with fixed, dehydrated tissue, followed by infiltration with molten paraffin and formation of a solid embedded block. A microtome then cuts the block into uniform sections. These sections are mounted on slides and stained before microscopic examination, creating a sequence that connects specimen preparation with visualization of biological structures.
Cutting produces thin tissue sections, but mounting transfers those sections onto slides for microscopic handling and examination. Staining then enhances tissue features that may otherwise be difficult to distinguish. Together, these steps improve the visibility of cellular morphology and tissue organization, enabling biological analysis after the embedded specimen has been sectioned.
Biologists use wax sectioning when they need to investigate tissue organization, development, cellular morphology, or changes associated with disease. Its value extends beyond a single observation because paraffin blocks can be preserved and sectioned repeatedly. The technique is therefore suitable for research investigations as well as routine histology and teaching.
By producing microscope-ready sections that reveal tissue architecture and cellular morphology, wax sectioning allows investigators to compare biological structures across developmental conditions or disease-related changes. The resulting slides provide a direct basis for microscopic examination, while preserved paraffin blocks allow further sections to be prepared when additional analysis of the specimen is needed.