Cryosectioning & Microtome Services

At Creative Proteomics, reliable data starts with the perfect section. We offer expert Cryosectioning and Microtome services, delivering consistent, artifact-free cuts for both routine and complex applications. From standard paraffin embedding to delicate frozen tissue studies, Creative Proteomics ensures the precise morphology and quality your research demands.

At the heart of every successful histological analysis is the quality of the tissue section. Whether you are conducting routine H&E staining, complex Immunohistochemistry (IHC), or molecular profiling, the integrity of your data depends on the precision of the cut.

We offer professional Microtome (paraffin) and Cryosectioning (frozen) services. Our laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art automated microtomes and cryostats, operated by certified histotechnicians dedicated to preserving tissue morphology and antigenicity.

Submit Your Request Now

Submit Your Request Now

Our service
How to choose
Workflow
Applications
Why choose

Our Core Services

Cryosectioning (Frozen Tissue)

Best for: Enzyme histochemistry, lipid detection, rapid analysis, and sensitive antibodies that do not survive fixation.

Diverse Embedding Media: While OCT compound is standard, we also offer specialized embedding matrices including Gelatin, CMC (Carboxymethyl Cellulose), and HPMC-PVP. These alternatives are essential for mass spectrometry (MALDI-MSI) and specific spatial omics assays where standard polymers might cause interference.
Embedding-Free Options: For certain downstream applications that are highly sensitive to polymeric contamination, tissue may need to be processed without any embedding media. Please consult with our technical team prior to sample submission to determine if "no-embedding" processing is required for your specific assay.
Standard Thickness: 5μm – 20μm (custom thicknesses available).
Temperature Control: Precise chamber temperature regulation (-15°C to -50°C) tailored to tissue lipid content.
Instrumentation: We rely on industry-leading Leica® CM-Series Cryostats (CM1950/CM3050S) for precise sectioning control.
Capabilities:
> Preservation of enzymatic activity and antigenicity.
> Handling of delicate tissues (brain, lymph nodes, muscle).
> Snap-freezing techniques to minimize ice crystal artifacts.

Ice Crystal Artifact Comparison

Output: Sections are mounted on charged slides (e.g., Superfrost Plus) to ensure adhesion during staining.

Microtome Sectioning (Paraffin-Embedded)

Best for: Routine histology, long-term storage, and superior morphological detail.

Our microtomy service focuses on Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) tissues. We excel in producing ribbon sections with uniform thickness, crucial for comparative studies and digital pathology.

Standard Thickness: 3μm – 5μm (custom thicknesses available).
Instrumentation: Our laboratory is equipped with Leica® Rotary Microtomes, renowned for their blade stability.
Capabilities:
> Rotary microtomy for high-throughput precision.
> Handling of diverse tissue types (soft tissue, bone, biopsy samples).
> Serial sectioning for 3D reconstruction.
> Step sectioning for deeper tissue analysis.
Output: Slides are baked and ready for staining or delivered as distinct ribbons.

Which Method Do You Need?

Choosing between Paraffin and Frozen sectioning is critical for your experimental success.

Feature	Microtome (Paraffin / FFPE)	Cryostat (Frozen)
Fixation	Formalin (typically 24-48 hrs)	Fresh / Snap Frozen
Processing Time	Days (Fixation + Infiltration)	Minutes to Hours
Morphology	Excellent, high resolution	Good, but lower than FFPE
Antigenicity	May require retrieval steps	Excellent preservation
Key Applications	Routine Pathology, H&E, IHC	Enzyme Assays, IF, Lipid Stains, spatial-omics analysis

Our Service Workflow

1. Sample Consultation & Submission We begin by verifying your downstream application requirements. Whether you need standard histology or high-sensitivity spatial omics, we guide you on the optimal preparation method—from immediate formalin fixation for Microtome services to isopentane snap-freezing for Cryosectioning.

2. Specialized Embedding & Orientation Upon receipt, tissues are embedded in the medium best suited for your assay:

Frozen: OCT (standard), or specialized matrices like Gelatin, CMC, and HPMC-PVP for mass spectrometry and sensitive omics.
Paraffin: High-quality paraffin infiltration for superior morphological stability.
Orientation: We precisely orient tissues (e.g., cross-section, longitudinal) to capture your specific Region of Interest (ROI).

3. Precision Sectioning Using state-of-the-art automated microtomes and cryostats, our certified histotechnicians generate consistent, uniform cuts. We offer standard ranges (3–5 μm for FFPE) as well as custom thicknesses for specialized needs.

4. Rigorous Quality Control (QC) We do not ship unchecked slides. Every section undergoes microscopic inspection to ensure it is an "artifact-free canvas," strictly checking for compression, chatter, venetian blinds, and folding.

5. Flexible Output & Delivery Your samples are packaged to ensure stability during transit. We deliver:

Charged Slides: For routine staining.
Stained Slides: H&E stained slides for morphological verification.
ITO-coated Conductivity Slides: for spatial metabolomics, transcriptomics or proteomics analysis services.
Curled Sections: In tubes for DNA/RNA extraction.

Applications

Our sectioning services support a wide range of biological and medical research fields:

Spatial Omics: High-fidelity sectioning for spatial omics or multi-omics integration analysis.
Oncology: Tumor margin assessment and biomarker discovery.
Neuroscience: Brain mapping and neural tract tracing (utilizing thicker floating sections).
Toxicology: Assessing tissue damage and cellular response in pre-clinical trials.
Dermatology: Skin biopsies requiring precise vertical orientation.

Why Partner With Us?

Artifact-Free Quality: We rigorously quality check for compression, chatter, venetian blinds, and folding to ensure you receive a pristine canvas for your staining.
Custom Orientation: We orient tissues precisely according to your instructions (e.g., cross-section, longitudinal, specific region of interest).
Rapid Turnaround: We understand that research timelines are tight. We offer expedited services for urgent projects.
Flexible Delivery: Receive your samples as unstained slides, stained slides (H&E), or curled sections in tubes for DNA/RNA extraction.

* For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

Our customer service representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Inquiry

From Our Clients

"I recently used their proteomics service for a project analyzing protein interactions in yeast models. The team was very responsive and helped clarify the methodology they employed, which made me feel confident in the results. The data quality was solid, with clear identification of several key proteins involved in our study. Their thorough analysis enabled me to pinpoint specific interactions that I hadn't considered before, which significantly improved the direction of my research. I appreciate their professionalism and support throughout the process."

Sarah Thompson, University of California, Berkeley

"Our lab collaborated with them on a project studying cancer biomarkers. The proteomics analysis provided was detailed and focused, specifically highlighting the differential expression of proteins between healthy and tumor samples. Their clear explanations of the data helped my team understand the biological implications. I also appreciated their willingness to revise the reports based on our feedback, ensuring that we had everything we needed for our publication. This collaborative spirit was invaluable."

Emily Rodriguez, Stanford University

"Our lab worked with them on a project studying the effects of diet on gut microbiota using proteomics. They used a label-free quantification method to analyze proteins in fecal samples before and after dietary intervention. The results showed significant changes in protein expression linked to microbial activity. This was pivotal for our hypothesis about diet-microbiota interactions. The clarity of their data presentation made it easy for our team to integrate these findings into our ongoing research."

Dr. Lisa Wong, University of Toronto

"My experience with Creative Proteomics during the mass spectrometry analysis was excellent. We sent in human saliva and mouse brain tissue samples, which they expertly analyzed using both LC-MS and GC-MS techniques. The results were invaluable, revealing key metabolites in the saliva and identifying biomarkers linked to brain function in the brain tissue."

Dr. Emily Carter, Senior Research Scientist

"The overall service from Creative Proteomics was outstanding. They made the entire process seamless and efficient, allowing us to focus on our research. We worked with leaf and root samples from various Arabidopsis genotypes for targeted metabolomics analysis. Their thorough profiling of primary and secondary metabolites gave us important insights into how the plants respond metabolically to environmental stress."

Dr. Laura Henderson, Plant Physiologist

"We had a pleasant collaboration with Creative Proteomics on mass spectrometry analysis of lipids. They conducted a detailed analysis of lipid species, providing us with important insights into lipid metabolism and its relationship with metabolic syndrome disease states."

Dr. Sarah Mitchell, Research Scientist

Online Inquiry

Please submit a detailed description of your project. We will provide you with a customized project plan to meet your research requests. You can also send emails directly to for inquiries.

Great Minds Choose Creative Proteomics