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	       TEM MICROWAVE TISSUE PROCESSING PROTOCOL

A)	Check water levels in load coolers.
B)	Turn on the load cooler pump prior to microwave use.
C)	Heat the water in the microwave (2 min on HIGH).

Step		Temp. 	Processing Time		Notes

1) Fixation     37	1 or 2 X 40 sec.	600 ul in eppendorf
						Cool to 20 on ice
						Probe in load cooler

2) Buffer rinse	RT    	2 X 2.5 min.

3) Osmium fix	37	1 X 40 sec.		Cool to 20 on ice
						Probe in load cooler

4) Buffer rinse	RT    	1 X 30 sec.

5) Dehydration (Acetone or Ethanol)		Transfer to baskets
	50%     45    	2 X 40 sec.		Baskets in petri dish
						Fill petri 3/4 full
	70%     45	2 X 40 sec.		Probe in sol'n 4 mm
						Change the water in
	90%     45	2 X 40 sec.		the 2nd beaker
						when it's hot to the
       	100%    45	3 X 40 sec.		touch.


6) Infiltration
1 : 1   	50	1 X 15 min.		Probe in dish
						Change the water in
100% resin      50	3 X 10 min.		the 2nd beaker
						when it's hot to the
						touch.

7) Polymerization
        	95	1 X 15 min.		Use BEEM capsules
	       none	1 X 60 min.		Put parafilm under
						caps to seal shut