microscopy Protocols

Category: Microscopy Protocols: In Vivo Imaging Protocols

Caenorhabditis elegans, a small (adults are ~1 mm long), free-living soil nematode that feeds on bacteria, is an ideal organism for applying various live microscopy techniques. This protocol describes useful techniques for preparing C. elegans for live microscopic analysis. Details of sample preparation depend on the developmental stage of the worm to be studied. - [Read Live Imaging of Caenorhabditis elegans: Preparation of Samples]

Category: Cell Biology and Cell Culture: Cell Viability Protocols

Assay measures cell viability. It is a two-color fluorescence assay that simultaneously determines Live cell number and Dead cell number. This protocol is designed for use with the GEMINI XS Microplate Spectrofluorometer, a multi-well plate scanner with dual excitation/emission capabilities, but the assay is also adaptable for flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Includes: Cell Culture; Preparation for the Assay; Live/Dead Assay; Reading the Plate; Data Analysis; Alternative protocol. - [Read Live/Dead Assay for Cell Viability Protoco]

Category: Microscopy Protocols: Confocal Microscopy Protocols

Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) is a relatively new light microscopical imaging technique which has found wide applications in the biological sciences. The primary value of the CLSM to the biologist is its ability to produce optical sections through a 3-D specimen-e.g., an entire cell or a piece of tissue - that, to a good approximation, contain information from only one focal plane. Article includes principle and applications of confocal laser scanning microscope. - [Read Looking Inside Cells and Tissues by Optical Sectioning with a Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope]

Category: Molecular Imaging: Confocal Microscopy Protocols and Information

LRSM Confocal Microscope Home Page. Information on use and how confocal microscopy works. - [Read LRSM Confocal Microscope Home Page]

Category: Microscopy Protocols: Fluorescence Microscopy Protocols

Multiphoton fluorescence microscopy is a powerful new technology that enables the acquisition of optical sections without the use of a pinhole aperture typically used for confocal microscopy. The technique is based upon the two-photon principle: A fluorescent molecule simultaneously absorbs two photons producing an electronic transition from the ground to excited state equal to two times the energy of each incident photon. - [Read Multiphoton Images from LSM 510 NLO System]

Category: Microscopy Protocols: Optical Microscopy Protocols

Diffraction-limited optical microscopy requires that the spatial resolution of an image is limited by the wavelength of the incident light & by the numerical apertures of the condenser & objective lens systems.The development of near-field scanning optical microscopy (scanning near-field optical microscopy) has allowed for a imaging technique that retains the various contrast mechanisms afforded by optical microscopy methods while attaining spatial resolution beyond the optical diffraction limit - [Read Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscopy]

Category: Microscopy Protocols: Optical Microscopy Protocols

Near-field scanning optical microscopy can achieve spatial resolution performance beyond the classical diffraction limit by employing a sub-wavelength light source or detector positioned in close proximity to a specimen. Such a sub-wavelength source usually consists of an aperture at the end of a tapered probe, which functions basically as a wave guide. Includes info.: Fiber Probe Fabrication; Pulling Method; Meniscus Etching; Selective Etching; Apertureless and Alternative Probe Designs etc. - [Read Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscopy: NSOM Probes]

Category: Cytoskeleton Protocols: Microtubules Protocols

Negative staining is a rapid, qualitative method for analyzing microtubule structure at the EM level. Because negative staining involves deposition of heavy atom stains, structural artifacts such as flattening of the cylindrical microtubule and opening up of microtubules into flat sheets are common. Negative staining is very useful because of its ease, rapidity and lack of requirement for specialized equipment other than that found in a regular EM facility. - [Read Negative Stain Electron Microscopy of Microtubules Protocol]

Category: Stem Cell Protocols: Stem Cell Culture Protocols

Describes the steps in detail to isolate and expand neural stem cells in the form of neurospheres from tissue dissections of the post-natal mouse brain. Procedures for the long term passage of neurospheres and the cryopreservation of neurospheres are also provided. In addition to the guidelines and tips for generating neurosphere cultures, we describe the method to prepare neurospheres for analysis by light microscopy. - [Read Neural Stem Cell Culture: Neurosphere Generation, Microscopical Analysis and Cryopreservation]

Category: Molecular Imaging

Optimal Microscopy Primer - Molecular Expressions. Introduces most microscopy techniques - [Read Optimal Microscopy Primer - Molecular Expressions]

Category: Molecular Imaging

Order Fluorophore Wall Chart. Free. CellScience - [Read Order Fluorophore Wall Chart]

Category: Microscopy Protocols: Live-Cell Imaging Protocols

This protocol describes a method for observing and measuring the movement of RNA molecules in the nucleus of living mammalian cells. Caged fluorescein-labeled DNA oligonucleotides are introduced into living mammalian cells, where they demonstrably hybridize to complementary RNA. After site-specific photoactivation at desired sites within the cell, the RNA movements away from those sites are followed and digitally recorded using a rapid acquisition microscopy system. - [Read Photoactivation-Based Labeling and In Vivo Tracking of RNA Molecules in the Nucleus]

Category: Cytoskeleton Protocols: Intermediate Filaments Protocols

Intermediate filaments (IF) are major cytoskeletal systems of vertebrate and many nonvertebrate cells whose expression is cell-type specific and developmentally regulated. This protocol describes the x-rhodamine labeling of one type of IF, vimentin, and a method for microinjection of the labeled vimentin into cultured cells. IF dynamics can then be examined with fluorescence microscopy. - [Read Preparation and Microinjection of x-Rhodamine-Labeled Vimentin Protocol]

Category: Xenopus Protocols: Xenopus Egg Extracts Protocols

Protocol describes the preparation of nuclei from Xenopus sperm. These nuclei can be used for spindle assembly assays, microscopy, or DNA synthesis. - [Read Preparation of Xenopus Sperm Nuclei Protocol]

Category: Microscopy Protocols: Electron Microscopy Protocols

Immunogold electron microscopy protocols for CHIFF labeling and whole cells. - [Read Protocol for Immunogold Electron Microscopy]

Category: Cell Biology and Cell Culture

Protocol for motility using VE-DIC microscopy. Materials required: Anti-GST (glutathione S-transferase) antibody, PB buffer =10 mM NaPO4 pH 7.2, EGTA, MgCl2, Clarified motor lysate, MTs or Axoneme-MTs,Mg·ATP, VALAP (1 Vasoline: 1 Lanolin: 1 Paraffin, heated gently until melted) and Maxell XR-S120 Black Magnetite Super-VHS tapes or comparable. - [Read Protocol for Motility using VE-DIC Microscopy]

Category: Microscopy Protocols: Confocal Microscopy Protocols

Protocol describes a useful way to observe the development of embryos, as well as meristems & young primordia developing at the shoot apex by confocal microscopy after staining the nuclei with propidium iodide. The number of cells can be exactly quantified in a meristem or in young primordia. Because embryonic & meristematic cells are largely filled out by their nuclei, it is easier to image only the nuclei. This method allows analysis of whole-mount material, which is more easily reconstructed. - [Read Protocol for Nuclear Staining of Plants for Confocal Microscopy]

Category: Cell Biology and Cell Culture: In Vitro Reconstitution Protocols

This protocol describes an in vitro reaction to assay mitotic spindle assembly. The assay uses Cytostatic Factor extract made from Xenopus eggs, fluorescently-labelled tubulin, and prepared sperm nuclei. Spindle assembly is monitored by immunofluorescence microscopy. - [Read Protocol Spindle Assembly In Vitro]

Category: Yeast Protocols: Yeast Genetics Protocols

Protocol for a rapid screen for chromosome missegregation mutants by DAPI staining. - [Read Rapid DAPI Screen for Chromosome Missegregation Mutants Protocol]

Category: Laboratory Model Organisms Protocols

Feeding euplotids with algae can lead to asynchronous cell starvation and vastly different cell sizes within a culture. Asynchronous starvation also leads to different levels of mating competence. Furthermore, algal pigment remnants can interfere with many applications (e.g., fluorescence microscopy). - [Read Refeeding Marine Euplotids with Bacteria Protocol]

Category: Microscopy Protocols

Reflected light microscopy is often referred to as incident light, epi-illumination, or metallurgical microscopy, and is the method of choice for fluorescence and for imaging specimens that remain opaque even when ground to a thickness of 30 microns. - [Read Reflected Light Microscopy]

Category: Microscopy Protocols: In Vivo Imaging Protocols

In the past two decades, there have been many revolutions in light microscopy techniques made possible by improvements in optics, detector technology, and computers. Furthermore, there is no indication that the rate of development of new equipment is slowing down. Here we attempt to provide an overview of available options and important considerations applicable to imaging Drosophila cells and tissues. - [Read Selection of Appropriate Imaging Equipment and Methodology for Live Cell Imaging in Drosophila]

Category: Molecular Imaging: Electron Microscopy Protocols

Embedding. Diagnostic Electron Microscopy on Reembedded ("Popped Off") Areas of Large Spurr Epoxy Sections � LR White Microwave Processing Protocol . TEM Sample Preparation Links and Protocols. - [Read TEM Sample Preparation Links]

Category: Microscopy Protocols: In Vivo Imaging Protocols

Sophisticated fluorescence microscopy methods & equipment, now allow cellular events to be studied at high resolution in living material. The studying of living fly tissues presents unique difficulties in keeping the cells alive, introducing fluorescent probes, & imaging through thick hazy cytoplasm. This protocol outlines the preparation of major tissue types amenable to study by time-lapse cinematography and different methods for keeping them alive. - [Read Time-Lapse Cinematography in Living Drosophila Tissues: Preparation of Material]

Category: Microscopy Protocols: Optical Microscopy Protocols

TIRM is a optical technique for monitoring the instantaneous separation distance between a microscopic sphere & a flat plate. Changes in distance as small as 1 nm can be detected. Includes information on: Scattering Intensity I is Related to Elevation h ; apparatus. - [Read Total Internal Reflection Microscopy]