Retina Dissection and Fixation for High-Resolution 3D Volume Electron Microscopy

To begin, place the euthanized mouse on the operating table. Using curved scissors, excise the eyes under dim red light and immediately place them in the fixation solution. After removing the anterior segment and vitreous from the eye, isolate the retina completely.

Under a dissection microscope, quickly slice the retina into 100 to 200 micrometer thick strips and transfer them into a new micro centrifuge tube containing fixation solution. Incubate the tube in a rotator for two hours at room temperature and then place it at four degrees Celsius for 24 hours.