Tissue Sectioning for Mass Spec - Please Help

[philliesfan]

Hey guys,

I was just wondering if anyone out there has experience cryosectioning for mass spec analysis? I have several mouse tissues I want to embed: kidney, brain, lung, heart, and spleen. I have read that TissueTek OCT compound because it is a polymeric compound - it can suppress ion signal during mass spec. analysis.

Has anyone have any experience in the following:
- Ice Slush - I am not quite sure what exactly this is but I am assuming you either freeze the tissue in a block of distilled water or use water as "glue" to adhere tissue to the chuck?
- 10% Gelatin - it seems to have the same consistency as the OCT compound when frozen.
- 2% aqeuous carboxymethyl cellulose embedding media

I can try my luck sectioning without embedding media; however, I need sections that are >40 microns. This could pose a problem sectioning without media. It's hard enough to section brain with OCT media, I can't imagine how difficult this would be WITHOUT any media at all.

I am also open to other non-polymeric embedding media.

All suggestions are greatly appreciated

With regards,

Philliesfan