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An Embedding Resin Miscible with Water for Electron Microscopy

Abstract

THERE are three embedding media commonly used at present to prepare biological specimens for thin sectioning and electron microscopy: methacrylate esters1, ‘Vestopal’ polyester resin2, and ‘Araldite’ epoxy resin3. These, although excellent for many purposes, all have the limitation that they are not miscible with water and so require the specimen to be dehydrated before it can be infiltrated with the medium. This dehydration, for which ethanol is most often used, frequently causes undesirable leaching of tissue components. The introduction of a water-miscible resin of low solvent power therefore appears desirable.

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GIBBONS, I. An Embedding Resin Miscible with Water for Electron Microscopy. Nature 184, 375–376 (1959). https://doi.org/10.1038/184375b0

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