Hi all!
Is there any reference or suggestion which can help us to set the sampling protocols for the sample collection related to electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). As we are working in oligotrophic conditions and cold conditions, so the formation of pellet after centrifugation from a small sample volume is not possible which somehow limits our current protocol.
Moreover we will be on expedition and will collect sample during a month long period for the microscopy.
Any help or suggestion is appreciated.
Thanks.
Disclaimer: I have never collected specimens during expeditions, and I have very limited experience with plants.
But you did not get any answers yet, so just two cents of advise.
Properly fixed specimens, i.e. if they were timely placed as a small pieces into fixative (glut), can be stored if fixative in refrigerator (means about 4C) for prolonged time, 1 month is not a problem. So, you can keep specimens in a cold box (insulated box with some ice).
Hi Thanks Vladimir for the suggestion.
I am working with prokaryotic cells and not plants (Sorry I missed this in the question).
Moreover, I am working in cold and low nutrient conditions, so the number of prokaryotic cells are already less and thus the formation of pellet is a problem.
As the microscopy colleagues mostly prefer the samples which can form pellet after centrifugation, so I was just looking for the protocol which can take care of less number of cells and can work well for SEM and TEM after fixation.
I can fix the samples (mostly seawater) in the glutaraldehyde vials for preservation during expedition.
Thanks.
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