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Related Concept Videos

Fixation and Sectioning01:03

Fixation and Sectioning

6.0K
Two basic types of preparation are used to visualize specimens with a light microscope: wet mounts and fixed specimens.
The simplest type of preparation is the wet mount, in which the specimen is placed in a drop of liquid on the slide. A liquid specimen can be directly deposited on the slide using a dropper. Solid specimens, such as skin scraping, can be placed on the slide before adding a drop of liquid to prepare the wet mount. Sometimes the liquid is simply water, but stains are often added...
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Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy01:20

Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy

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To be visualized by an electron microscope, either transmission or scanning, biological samples need to be fixed (stabilized) so the electron beam does not destroy them and dried thoroughly (desiccated/dehydrated) so the vacuum does not affect them. Fixation needs to be done as quickly as possible because the sample properties will start changing as soon as it is removed from its natural environment. For example, in a tissue sample, the oxygen levels begin decreasing, causing an altered...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 6, 2026

Cell Block Preparation from Cytology Specimen with Predominance of Individually Scattered Cells
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Cell Block Preparation from Cytology Specimen with Predominance of Individually Scattered Cells

Published on: July 21, 2009

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Preparation of cells for microscopy using 'cell blocks'.

Cheryl M Koh1

  • 1Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Methods in Enzymology
|November 5, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Embedding cells in agarose and paraffin improves microscopy by creating cell blocks. This method allows for numerous sections and better antibody access to cellular antigens for detailed cell morphology studies.

Keywords:
Cell blocksCell plugsCollection and fixation of cellsImmunofluorescent stainingParaffin embedded and section

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Histology
  • Microscopy

Background:

  • Microscopy is a direct method for visualizing cell and organelle morphology.
  • Standard histological processing is typically applied to tissue specimens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe a method for embedding cells in agarose and paraffin to create "cell blocks" for histological processing.
  • To highlight the advantages of this cell block method for microscopy.

Main Methods:

  • Cells are embedded first in agarose and then in paraffin, forming "cell blocks."
  • These cell blocks are then processed using standard histological techniques.
  • Numerous thin sections are cut from each cell block.

Main Results:

  • The cell block method allows for the processing of cells using standard histological equipment.
  • Sectioning increases the accessibility of nuclear and organelle antigens to antibodies.
  • Multiple sections can be obtained from a single cell block, facilitating comparative analysis.

Conclusions:

  • Embedding cells in agarose and paraffin provides a robust method for histological processing of cell samples.
  • This technique enhances antigen accessibility for antibody-based detection in microscopy.
  • The cell block approach offers advantages for detailed cellular morphology and antigen localization studies.