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Scanning Electron Microscopy Of Uncoated Human Metaphase Chromosomes
Author(s) -
Sweney L. R.,
Lam L. F.H.,
Shapiro B. L.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
journal of microscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2818
pISSN - 0022-2720
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2818.1979.tb00164.x
Subject(s) - metaphase , scanning electron microscope , tannic acid , materials science , substrate (aquarium) , glutaraldehyde , electron microscope , coating , foil method , optics , nanotechnology , chemistry , composite material , chromosome , biology , physics , biochemistry , ecology , gene , organic chemistry , chromatography
SUMMARY Human metaphase chromosomes were processed with a 3% glutaraldehyde‐tannic acid technique and examined in a scanning electron microscope at 20 kV either without added metal coating or with 2 nm of sputtered gold coating. Several substrates—aluminium foil, silver mirror deposit and sputtered gold—provided good conductive backgrounds for chromosomal spreads. Silver mirror deposit was the best conductive substrate tested. This method should prove to be a useful tool for monitoring the three‐dimensional morphology of mitotic chromosomes with the possibility of studying various banding techniques, chromosomal uncoiling and secondary constrictions currently being examined in chromosomal studies.