[3dem] floating EM grids

[Fang Zhao]

Hi, Roman:

I usually use home-made grids-culture assembly. Basically, it is a coverslip
that holds 4-5 grids then covered by plastic film like formva on top of
grids and the whole coverslip.  Both glass or plastic coverslip are OK, but
glass is better. This assembly eases the culture process greatly because you
are handling coverslip, not grids anymore.

If your protocol allow to use formva or other plastic supporting film, and
if you have experience to make supporting film, it is easy. I can send you
more details or photo to show it.

Fang
--------------------------------------------------------
Fang Zhao, MD. PhD.
Advanced Microscopy Unit (AMU)
Haartman Institute 
Haartmaninkatu 3
PO Box 21, 00014 University of Helsinki
Finland
Tel. +358 9 1912 6261
E-mail: fang.zhao at helsinki.fi
Web: http://www.hi.helsinki.fi/amu

-----Original Message-----
From: 3dem-bounces at ncmir.ucsd.edu [mailto:3dem-bounces at ncmir.ucsd.edu] On
Behalf Of Guenter Resch
Sent: 8. syyskuuta 2010 12:50
To: 3dem at ncmir.ucsd.edu
Subject: Re: [3dem] floating EM grids

Hi Roman,

> We regularly grow cells on EM grids and have the problem that these 
> grids have the tendency to float during culture or transport.
> Does anybody have similar experience and more important do you know 
> any tricks to keep these grids on the bottom?

in my experience, glow discharging the grids thoroughly before cell culture
(if that is compatible with the support film you are using) helps to get rid
of the tiny air bubbles that tend to get trapped on the grid bars and make
the grids float.

In one case, I needed my grids fixed in one place. I have used plastic
coverslips with a central 2.5 mm hole glued to the bottom of the culture
dish using high vac grease ...

Hope that helps,

	Guenter

--
Dr. Guenter Resch, IMP-IMBA-GMI Electron Microscopy Facility
Email: guenter.resch at imba.oeaw.ac.at; Web: http://cores.imp.ac.at/em
Phone: +43 (1) 79044-4250; Fax/Voice Mail: +43 (1) 79044-224250
Post: Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria, European Union
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