A method for the removal of epoxy resins from tissue in preparation for scanning electron microscopy.

A method for unmounting entire resin-embedded samples for SEM observation is described. This technique is particularly useful when correlation of TEM and SEM images is desired for material that is no longer available for conventional SEM preparative procedures. Sample embedded in a variety of epoxy-type resins were trimmed of excess resin and placed in a concentrated solution of sodium methoxide. After complete dissolution of the resin, the tissue was washed in a graded series of sodium methoxide in methanol--benzene, transferred to acetone, critical point dried, mounted on stubs, and coated with gold-palladium. Upon viewing in the SEM, the tissue sample showed remarkable preservation of detail at relatively high magnifications.