mPrep/s™ Workstation efficiently loads and orients specimens into mPrep/s capsules. Use for TEM and SEM.
Accurate orientation. Specimens may be oriented using several methods
Efficient workflow. Streamlines specimen processing from dissection to reagent processing
Reduce handling. Once loaded in capsules, specimens are not touched again for TEM embedding or SEM mounting
Easy dissection. Single focal plane keep specimens in focus during dissection and when loading specimens in capsules
Wet samples. Dissect and load specimens wetted by buffers or fixatives
Efficient reagent processing. Directly load capsules onto pipettor from Workstation
Organized for efficient workflow
Product Description
- Durable, corrosion-resistant materials for long service with saline, buffers and aldehyde fixatives. Can be fully immersed for cleaning. Safe cleaning with detergents, bleach and alcohol
- Top cutting surface is:
- Soft high density polyethylene (HDPE) that minimizes dulling of fine dissection tools
- Low glare and lightly textured surface for optimal visibility and easy specimen handling
- Top is easily replaced if it becomes marred with cuts after long use
- 6 dissection wells to organize and prepare specimens, and keep them wet
- 12 capsule wells and screen storage in back holds 12 capsules until used
- 24 capsule wells (12 per side) to hold mPrep/s capsules after loading with specimens and to keep them wet. Spaced for direct attachment of capsules onto 8 and 12-channel pipettors
- Rounded front edge provides comfortable use
- Feet adjust to change height. Adjust for comfort and to straddle many dissecting microscope bases
- Precision mechanism is fully adjustable.
Using the mPrep Workstation
Prepare the specimen
- Trim and dissect on Workstation surface
- Use shallow wells to keep specimens organized
- Add water or fixative to wells during dissection
Load screen (and unoriented specimens)
- Insert mPrep/s screen into Workstation insertion tool
- Engage screen tabs into insertion tool flanges
Orient specimen – Back Pinch Method
- Press Workstation lever to open screen
- Place back end of specimen into screen opening
- Release lever to pinch specimen
Encapsulate specimen
- Slide capsule down to hold specimen in place
- For Back Pinch Orientation method leave space above specimen
Remove capsule from Workstation
- Rotate capsule counter-clockwise to disengage screen from Workstation insertion tool
- Lift capsule off Workstation
Set aside encapsulated specimen
- Place capsule into a Workstation well
- Add fluids to wells to keep specimens wet
- Load capsules directly onto pipettor for reagent processing
Application Notes
mPrep workstation applications
Specimen preparation for Serial Block Face SEM (SBEM) and other volume EM (vEM) methods (e.g., FIB-SEM), requires multi-day protocols to provide the necessary very extensive heavy metal staining. The mPrep ASP automates these protocols and executes them in much less time.
Tissue processing and orienting specimens for sectioning is time consuming. mPrep/s capsules accurately orient specimens in seconds using the mPrep Workstation. Capsules used with pipettors enable simultaneous and controlled reagent processing.
Processing tissue for SEM can be tedious. There is potential for specimen damage due to contact with labware and critical point dryers. Orienting and mounting brittle CPD prepared tissues is challenging. With mPrep/s capsules specimens are protected and can be oriented prior to CPD processing.
Multiple cryogenic manipulations are required to rapidly freeze and orient tissue specimens for cryo-facing and SEM. With mPrep/s capsules, tissue samples are oriented prior to freezing and secured in the capsule through cryo-facing and SEM mounting.
Embedding and orienting polymers for cross sectioning is challenging: Particles are difficult to entrap and orienting fibers and films is time consuming. With mPrep/s capsules particles are easily entrapped, and fibers or films are oriented in seconds using the mPrep Workstation. Once loaded in mPrep/s capsules, multiple specimens can be simultaneously embedded.
Publications
Automated Specimen Preparation for Volume Electron Microscopy (vEM Technology Forum, 2024)
Automated Volume Electron Microscopy for Neuroscience (Society for Neuroscience, 2024)
Automated Specimen Preparation for Electron Microscopy (Microscopy & Microanalysis 2024)
Novel Pipette Based Capsule Processing Methods for Epoxy, Glycol Methacrylate, and Methyl/Butyl Methacrylate Resins with Mouse Tissue That Reduce Processing Volume and Time (National Society Histotechnology 2023)
Efficient Workflows for Electron Microscopy Laboratories by Using Automated Specimen Preparation (Microscopy & Microanalysis 2023)
Innovations & Applications of Manual & Automated Specimen Preparation for Volume Electron Microscopy (2023 Gordon Research Conference on vEM)
Serial Block-Face SEM of Brain Tissue Using Rapid Automated Preparation (Microscopy & Microanalysis 2020)
Rapid Automated Serial Block Face SEM Preparation of Brain Tissue (Soc. Neuroscience 2019)
Effects of Postnatal Hyperoxia Exposure on Cardiac Muscle Examined with 3D Serial Block Face SEM using Rapid Automated Sample Preparation (Microscopy & Microanalysis 2019)
Rapid Automated Preparation for Serial Block Face Scanning Electron Microscopy (Microscopy & Microanalysis 2019)
Automated Preparation of Core Needle Biopsy Specimens for TEM Imaging (Microscopy & Microanalysis 2019)
Cryo-Planing Biological Specimens for Scanning Electron Microscopy (Microscopy Today 2019)
Optimization of Automated Immuno EM for Both Pre- and Post-Embedding Labeling (Microscopy & Microanalysis 2018)
Automated Rapid Preparation of Tissue Specimens for TEM Pathology (Microscopy & Microanalysis 2018)
Sex-Specific Skeletal Muscle Fatigability and Decreased Mitochondrial Oxidative Capacity in Adult Rats Exposed to Postnatal Hyperoxia (Frontiers Physiology 2018)
Fast, Walk-away, Automated Processing of Mammalian Tissue for LM and TEM (Microscopy & Microanalysis 2017)
Preparing LR White Embedded Tissue with mPrep/s Specimen Capsules (Microscopy & Microanalysis 2017)
Videos
Using the mPrep Workstation for Oriented and Unoriented Specimens
The tutorial starts by introducing the mPrep Workstation. Then it demonstrates how to load and orient specimens into mPrep capsules. Three methods are shown: pinch, compression and cup.
5 minutes 19 seconds
Webinar: TEM & SEM Sample Preparation with mPrep Capsules
This webinar introduces and demonstrates the mPrep System. Webinar covers how the mPrep System works. It discusses the benefits of the mPrep System over current practice. And it addresses multiple TEM and SEM applications: tissues, macromolecules, immuno, nanoparticles, cryo-planing.
45 minutes
BioEM Talks: mPrep Automated Specimen Processor Automation & Capsules provide proven speed and adaptability for BioEM in labs of any size
Speaker: Steven L. Goodman, PhD, Microscopy Innovations LLC
This 29-minute invited presentation made on 16 May 2024 (BioEM Talks online conference series) shows how several different labs use mPrep ASP-1000 and ASP-2000 Automated Specimen Processors and mPrep capsules for a wide range of applications. Examples include TEM, SEM, vEM, and light microscopy specimen preparation, and 3D cell culture, with human, animal, fish, and plant tissues, and tumor models, cells, and viruses.
Product Description Sheets
mPrep/s workstation products
mPrep/s™ Workstation
Prepare specimens and insert into mPrep/s capsules with or without orientation using integrated screen insertion tool
Product SKU: 42100$980.00
For a complete listing of mPrep products, click Purchase.
- mPrep Workstation product info
-
Product Description
- Durable, corrosion-resistant materials for long service with saline, buffers and aldehyde fixatives. Can be fully immersed for cleaning. Safe cleaning with detergents, bleach and alcohol
- Top cutting surface is:
- Soft high density polyethylene (HDPE) that minimizes dulling of fine dissection tools
- Low glare and lightly textured surface for optimal visibility and easy specimen handling
- Top is easily replaced if it becomes marred with cuts after long use
- 6 dissection wells to organize and prepare specimens, and keep them wet
- 12 capsule wells and screen storage in back holds 12 capsules until used
- 24 capsule wells (12 per side) to hold mPrep/s capsules after loading with specimens and to keep them wet. Spaced for direct attachment of capsules onto 8 and 12-channel pipettors
- Rounded front edge provides comfortable use
- Feet adjust to change height. Adjust for comfort and to straddle many dissecting microscope bases
- Precision mechanism is fully adjustable.
Using the mPrep Workstation
Prepare the specimen
- Trim and dissect on Workstation surface
- Use shallow wells to keep specimens organized
- Add water or fixative to wells during dissection
Load screen (and unoriented specimens)
- Insert mPrep/s screen into Workstation insertion tool
- Engage screen tabs into insertion tool flanges
Orient specimen – Back Pinch Method
- Press Workstation lever to open screen
- Place back end of specimen into screen opening
- Release lever to pinch specimen
Encapsulate specimen
- Slide capsule down to hold specimen in place
- For Back Pinch Orientation method leave space above specimen
Remove capsule from Workstation
- Rotate capsule counter-clockwise to disengage screen from Workstation insertion tool
- Lift capsule off Workstation
Set aside encapsulated specimen
- Place capsule into a Workstation well
- Add fluids to wells to keep specimens wet
- Load capsules directly onto pipettor for reagent processing
- Applications
-
Application Notes
mPrep workstation applications
Specimen preparation for Serial Block Face SEM (SBEM) and other volume EM (vEM) methods (e.g., FIB-SEM), requires multi-day protocols to provide the necessary very extensive heavy metal staining. The mPrep ASP automates these protocols and executes them in much less time.
Tissue processing and orienting specimens for sectioning is time consuming. mPrep/s capsules accurately orient specimens in seconds using the mPrep Workstation. Capsules used with pipettors enable simultaneous and controlled reagent processing.
Processing tissue for SEM can be tedious. There is potential for specimen damage due to contact with labware and critical point dryers. Orienting and mounting brittle CPD prepared tissues is challenging. With mPrep/s capsules specimens are protected and can be oriented prior to CPD processing.
Multiple cryogenic manipulations are required to rapidly freeze and orient tissue specimens for cryo-facing and SEM. With mPrep/s capsules, tissue samples are oriented prior to freezing and secured in the capsule through cryo-facing and SEM mounting.
Embedding and orienting polymers for cross sectioning is challenging: Particles are difficult to entrap and orienting fibers and films is time consuming. With mPrep/s capsules particles are easily entrapped, and fibers or films are oriented in seconds using the mPrep Workstation. Once loaded in mPrep/s capsules, multiple specimens can be simultaneously embedded.
- Resources
-
Publications
Automated Specimen Preparation for Volume Electron Microscopy (vEM Technology Forum, 2024)
Automated Volume Electron Microscopy for Neuroscience (Society for Neuroscience, 2024)
Automated Specimen Preparation for Electron Microscopy (Microscopy & Microanalysis 2024)
Novel Pipette Based Capsule Processing Methods for Epoxy, Glycol Methacrylate, and Methyl/Butyl Methacrylate Resins with Mouse Tissue That Reduce Processing Volume and Time (National Society Histotechnology 2023)
Efficient Workflows for Electron Microscopy Laboratories by Using Automated Specimen Preparation (Microscopy & Microanalysis 2023)
Innovations & Applications of Manual & Automated Specimen Preparation for Volume Electron Microscopy (2023 Gordon Research Conference on vEM)
Serial Block-Face SEM of Brain Tissue Using Rapid Automated Preparation (Microscopy & Microanalysis 2020)
Rapid Automated Serial Block Face SEM Preparation of Brain Tissue (Soc. Neuroscience 2019)
Effects of Postnatal Hyperoxia Exposure on Cardiac Muscle Examined with 3D Serial Block Face SEM using Rapid Automated Sample Preparation (Microscopy & Microanalysis 2019)
Rapid Automated Preparation for Serial Block Face Scanning Electron Microscopy (Microscopy & Microanalysis 2019)
Automated Preparation of Core Needle Biopsy Specimens for TEM Imaging (Microscopy & Microanalysis 2019)
Cryo-Planing Biological Specimens for Scanning Electron Microscopy (Microscopy Today 2019)
Optimization of Automated Immuno EM for Both Pre- and Post-Embedding Labeling (Microscopy & Microanalysis 2018)
Automated Rapid Preparation of Tissue Specimens for TEM Pathology (Microscopy & Microanalysis 2018)
Sex-Specific Skeletal Muscle Fatigability and Decreased Mitochondrial Oxidative Capacity in Adult Rats Exposed to Postnatal Hyperoxia (Frontiers Physiology 2018)
Fast, Walk-away, Automated Processing of Mammalian Tissue for LM and TEM (Microscopy & Microanalysis 2017)
Preparing LR White Embedded Tissue with mPrep/s Specimen Capsules (Microscopy & Microanalysis 2017)
Videos
Using the mPrep Workstation for Oriented and Unoriented SpecimensThe tutorial starts by introducing the mPrep Workstation. Then it demonstrates how to load and orient specimens into mPrep capsules. Three methods are shown: pinch, compression and cup.
5 minutes 19 seconds
Webinar: TEM & SEM Sample Preparation with mPrep CapsulesThis webinar introduces and demonstrates the mPrep System. Webinar covers how the mPrep System works. It discusses the benefits of the mPrep System over current practice. And it addresses multiple TEM and SEM applications: tissues, macromolecules, immuno, nanoparticles, cryo-planing.
45 minutesBioEM Talks: mPrep Automated Specimen Processor Automation & Capsules provide proven speed and adaptability for BioEM in labs of any sizeSpeaker: Steven L. Goodman, PhD, Microscopy Innovations LLC
This 29-minute invited presentation made on 16 May 2024 (BioEM Talks online conference series) shows how several different labs use mPrep ASP-1000 and ASP-2000 Automated Specimen Processors and mPrep capsules for a wide range of applications. Examples include TEM, SEM, vEM, and light microscopy specimen preparation, and 3D cell culture, with human, animal, fish, and plant tissues, and tumor models, cells, and viruses.
Product Description Sheets
- Purchase
-
mPrep/s workstation products
mPrep/s™ Workstation
Prepare specimens and insert into mPrep/s capsules with or without orientation using integrated screen insertion tool
Product SKU: 42100$980.00
For a complete listing of mPrep products, click Purchase.