Preparation of monolayer cultures for nuclear microscopy

Summary

Accurate microanalysis of elemental concentrations and distributions especially with regard to trace elements have been difficult because the concentrations are usually below the threshold of the more commonly used electron microprobes. Cultured cell microanalysis with the aid of the nuclear microscope provides accurate quantitation of minor and trace elements, including variations when subjected to modulations and perturbations. We show here our highly reproducible technique of preparing monolayer cells for nuclear microscopy, using thin Pioloform supports stretched by cold treatment over dry ice. Cells are grown directly on these Permount-anchored Pioloform thin films using serum-prepulsed plating.