Method for producing a section ribbon from a sample block using a microtome, method for preparing a microscopic sample for examination in an electron microscope, microtome and embedding mould for use therein

A method for preparing a sample for examination in an electron microscope, the method comprising:

• embedding the sample in an embedding medium to produce a sample block, and
• serially sectioning the sample block using a microtome to produce a section ribbon, wherein the section ribbon comprises one or more first sections of the sample block including a part of the sample and one or more second sections of the sample block not including any part of the sample, wherein the embedding of the sample is performed using an embedding mould comprising an undivided inner space, a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment and the second compartment extending from and being contiguous with the undivided inner space,
• wherein the embedding of the sample comprises:
• placing the sample into the first compartment but not in the second compartment,
• filling the first compartment, the second compartment and the undivided inner space at least partially with the embedding medium, and
• curing the embedding medium, wherein the serial sectioning of the sample block includes forming the one or more first sections from a first part of the sample block cured in the first compartment, and forming the one or more second sections from a second part of the sample block cured in the second compartment.