The Diatome Perfect Loop allows you to pick up sections consistently, without causing them any damage.

It is the only loop currently available where the external diameter is the same as the grid and the internal diameter slightly larger than the observed area in the electron microscope.

The thickness of the Diatome Perfect Loop is about 40 microns.  Due to the fact that the diameter of the Diatome Perfect Loop is the same as the diameter of the grid, they are attracted to one another when in water and are drawn together by the surface tension of the water.  Even if the section touches the inside of the grid during blotting, the area of contact is minor and the section is not damaged.

When the grid is removed from the Diatome Perfect Loop, the section always remains on the grid.

Room Temperature Pick-up

Have your cleaned grids sitting on clean filter paper in a Petri dish.
Ensure the ribbon of sections is short enough to fit inside the Diatome Perfect Loop.

1. Centre the Diatome Perfect Loop above the sections.	2. Slowly lower the Diatome Perfect Loop over the sections and touch the water.	3. Gently lift up the Diatome Perfect Loop with the sections in a droplet of water.	4. Lower the Diatome Perfect Loop onto a grid and lift up again.
5. The grid holds to the Diatome Perfect Loop by surface tension.	6. Lower the Diatome Perfect Loop to the filter paper to remove water.	7. For coated grids, touch the filter paper to remove the water.	8. Separate the grid from the Diatome Perfect Loop with an eyelash.

Cryo Pick-up

Pick-up and mounting on grids with sucrose or sucrose/methyl-cellulose.

1. Pull the sections away from the cutting edge with an eyelash.	2. Dip the Diatome Perfect Loop into sucrose or sucrose/methyl-cellulose.	3. Hold the Diatome Perfect Loop above the cryo sections	4. Touch the sections with the almost frozen sucrose or sucrose/methyl- cellulose.  Gently lift up the Diatome Perfect Loop and bring back to room temperature.
5. Lower the Diatome Perfect Loop onto a grid and lift up again	6. Place the Diatome Perfect Loop upside- down on a water or buffer surface to wash out the sucrose or sucrose/methyl- cellulose and allow the grid to float free.