Gold Standard for Preparing Viable Precision-Cut Tissue Slices (PCTS)
Researchers worldwide use the system to prepare precision-cut slices from: • liver (PCLS) • lung • kidney • brain • tumor tissue • adipose tissue • human research samples
These models are used in drug metabolism studies, toxicology, fibrosis research, oncology, respiratory biology, and translational medicine.
By preserving physiological tissue function at the earliest step of the workflow, precision-cut slice preparation enables experiments that more closely reflect in vivo biology while remaining experimentally controllable.
Several technologies are used to prepare tissue sections for research. Traditional microtomes are typically designed for histology workflows involving fixed or embedded samples. Vibrating microtomes are often used for fresh tissue when mechanical cutting force must be reduced.
However, viable precision-cut tissue slices used for ex vivo experiments require a different preparation approach. In these applications, the goal is not simply to cut tissue, but to preserve native architecture, cellular interactions, and metabolic activity.
Precision-cut tissue slice models such as PCLS are widely used in pharmacology, toxicology, and translational research because they maintain organ-specific biology while allowing controlled experimental conditions.
For these models, the quality of slice preparation directly determines experimental reliability. Mechanical stress, temperature fluctuations, and non-physiological cutting conditions can compromise tissue viability before the experiment even begins.
The Alabama (Krumdieck) Tissue Slicer was specifically developed for this challenge. The system prepares thin slices of live tissue fully submerged in physiological buffer, helping stabilize pH, minimize ischemic stress, and support tissue viability throughout the slicing process.
Because of this design and its long scientific history, the Krumdieck tissue slicer remains widely recognized as a gold standard for preparing precision-cut tissue slices in translational research.
PRECISION REPRODUCIBLE SLICING
Delivers uniform tissue sections across a wide thickness range, supporting quantitative assays and functional studies with high consistency.
BUILT FOR LONG-TERM VIABILITY
Continuous slicing in a controlled buffer environment stabilizes pH, reduces ischemic stress, and supports oxygenation. This approach helps maintain cellular metabolism and structural integrity throughout preparation
ASEPTIC SLICING ENVIRONMENT
Sterilizable components and contamination-controlled workflow enable preparation of slices suitable for culture and sensitive downstream analyses.
RAPID PREPARATION WORKFLOW
Efficient slicing reduces ischemic stress and supports high-throughput preparation without compromising tissue quality.
LOW VIBRATION CUTTING MECHANICS
A counter-balanced drive system and smooth blade motion minimize mechanical damage, preserving tissue architecture and cellular integrity.
INDEPENDENT DIGITAL CONTROL
Allows precise adjustment of arm movement and blade speed to optimize conditions for different tissue types and experimental needs.
Pioneering studies published in the Journal of Hepatology (EASL) and Nature Protocols demonstrate that the Alabama Tissue Slicer enables the preparation of precision-cut liver slices (PCLS) — a reliable ex vivo model bridging the gap between in vitro assays and in vivo studies. Researchers have used this system to generate 200–250 uniform slices per rat liver with consistent 250 µm thickness, maintained in culture under physiological conditions for several days.
This model is now widely adopted for investigating metabolic function, drug toxicity, fibrosis, and hepatocellular responses, confirming the instrument’s role in translational research.
Tissue Embedding Unit
Tissue Slice Thickness Gauge
Tissue Coring Press
Incubation Unit
Recirculating Refrigeration Bath
Different size Tissue Coring Tools
Enhance your slicing experience with Krumdies Tissue Slicer accessories. From precision blades to ergonomic guides, each accessory is designed to maximize accuracy, efficiency, and safety in every cut.
A precision cut tissue slicer is used to prepare thin, viable sections of organs for ex vivo research applications such as pharmacology, toxicology, disease modeling, and translational studies. The goal is to preserve native tissue architecture and cellular function during preparation.
Slicing tissue submerged in physiological buffer helps stabilize pH, reduce ischemic stress, and maintain cellular metabolism. This approach preserves tissue viability and minimizes artifacts that can compromise downstream experimental results.
The system supports preparation of precision-cut liver slices (PCLS), lung, kidney, brain, tumor, adipose tissue, and other soft tissues. It is also suitable for human tissue samples used in research settings.
Yes. Aseptic preparation is critical for preventing contamination during slice culture experiments. Contamination can affect viability, induce inflammatory responses, and compromise experimental reproducibility.
Uniform slice thickness is essential for consistent oxygen diffusion, nutrient distribution, and experimental comparability. Controlled slicing improves reproducibility and reduces variability between experiments.
Yes. The Alabama Tissue Slicer is widely used for preparing human tissue slices in translational research environments. The system is intended for research use only and not for clinical or medical applications.
General sectioning tools are often optimized for structural analysis. Dedicated viable tissue slicers are engineered to preserve tissue physiology during preparation, supporting slice culture workflows and functional assays where viability is critical.
Kim, K.H., Kim, J., Han, J.Y. et al. In vitro estimation of metal-induced disturbance in chicken gut-oviduct chemokine circuit. Mol. Cell. Toxicol. 15, 443–452 (2019).
Ramzan, A.A., Bitler, B.G., Hicks, D. et al. Adiponectin receptor agonist AdipoRon induces apoptotic cell death and suppresses proliferation in human ovarian cancer cells. Mol Cell Biochem 461, 37–46 (2019).
Fu, Y., Tong, J., Meng, F. et al. Ciliostasis of airway epithelial cells facilitates influenza A virus infection. Vet Res 49, 65 (2018).
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