what is the procedure for collection, keeping, transporting and preparation of blood samples for TEM ? is it fresh or stored blood? with or without EDTA or other substances? is it frozen or cooled? how can I transported it ?
For nearly all TEM specimens fixation should be performed immediately after specimen was obtained. Cells could be stored/transported in fixative (refrigerated).
Blood samples (in fluid form?) on microtome (sectioning?) ? I am still surprised or rather confused about the protocol being requested. However, solid tissue (cells in aggregate) is most often sectioned either in FFPE or frozen form. The aim of using paraffin-fixed or frozen lies on whether the biomarkers (most times enzyme-like or some special antigens) can withstand the reagents or the temperature hence the frozen at degrees of freezing temperatures. From this, I am trying to relay the essence of using these methods on possibility using a hand-held sample (solid tissue). While I don't have a grip of what you mean, you may find one or two messages useful from here. Bear in mind that blood (though regarded as tissue) in its forms cannot be cut by microtome machine, in this state. Except if more explanation otherwise is relayed here.
@Vladimir Dusevich , I wish to learn more how ultra-thin sections of blood could be used in Electron Transmission Microscopy, I am used to other types of microscopy, but my surprise was using "ultra-sections of blood" here. All these methods not strange to me, but the blood and the use of ultra-sections from it, that could be possible in ETM which I am not used to as well, but I wish to know and learn from this. I wish to learn new thing here about ultra-section of blood samples to correct my perception. Thank you Prof.
Vladimir Dusevich he mentioned blood sample, this I am sure he meant body fluids (supported by mentioning EDTA anticoagulant), and you earlier posted about tissue (from organs) which is possible to be sectioned thinly. I have gone through the protocols you posted on these methods, the one with cell culture and the other with tissue from organ, and possibly and reasonably one may not doubt ultra-sections, but the body fluid sample (blood) coupled with microtome there in the message of this thread, I need to learn from its possibility. All these methods as above-mentioned, except electron microscopy, are within the purview of my job. I would be happy to just clarify possibility of sectioning blood in the post for me to add to my knowledge. Thank you Prof.
Vladimir Dusevich thank you. It is interesting to know this and one of the privileges of being on this platform. However, I will read forward and try to learn more on this. If need be, I will relay back. Hassanin Al-Autaish It would be nice to follow this thread on how to achieve compacting/concentrating, embedding and sectioning blood cells. Success.
I had talked about cells. Possibly platelets. (about plateletes: https://news.mayocliniclabs.com/2015/11/16/platelet-transmission-electron-microscopy-and-flow-cytometry-hot-topic/ )
I have no idea about serum, and I think TEM is a bad method for it. But again, I've never worked with blood. Certainly, serum cannot be embedded.