This protocol describes a sealed preparation that allows the continuous long-term observation of cultured mammalian cells on upright or inverted microscopes without environmental CO2 control. The preparation allows for optical conditions consistent with high-quality imaging and good cell viability for at least 100 hours. - [Read A Sealed Preparation for Long-Term Observations of Cultured Cells]
Useful techniques to circumvent disruption of tissue structure in the analysis of gene expression are LCM and LDM. While they require specialized microscopes and systems, they are similar in that freshly-cut frozen tissue sections can be microdissected using either a general histological stain (like H&E) or by staining with fluorescently conjugated antibodies. The LCM system by Arcturus involves... - [Read Immunofluorescent Staining for the Laser Microdissection of Individual Cells Protocol]
Light Microscopy - Microscopes in Cell Biology. House Ear Institute. Fluorescence microscopy, Nomarski differential interference contrast, Comparison between phase contrast and interference contrast optical systems , Interference contrast, Phase contrast, Darkfield illumination, alignment of Kohler illumination system, Protocol for using oil immersion lenses, Use of immersion oil, Calculating the final magnification on the photomicrograph, vibration, The coverslip glass, Photomicroscopy. - [Read Light Microscopy - Microscopes in Cell Biology]
An ideal method of tissue preparation ensures both good specimen morphology and that the target molecules are in the optimum state for probe access and hybridization. DNA:DNA in situ hybridization is usually carried out on chromosome spread preparations where chromosome and nuclei are released from cells and spread on a glass microscope slide. This method yields well separated and enlarged chromosomes with good morphology which can be analyzed in transmitted light or fluorescence microscopes. - [Read Preparation of Chromosome Spreads]