Re: Biological inert coverslip sealing

Posted by Kilgore, Jason A. on
URL: http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/Biological-inert-coverslip-sealing-tp7581614p7581704.html

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One thought occurred to me on this thread: how much coverslip sealing is done on live cell preps vs. fixed-cell preps in your labs?

When I've done coverslip sealing (using melted household wax, mainly, though occasionally clear nail polish), it's been on live preps for immediate imaging, but also for non-curing mounting media on fixed cell preps for archiving for a day or so.  Though when I have fixed cell preps and wish to archive, I've typically used a curing mountant.

Thoughts?

Jason

Jason A. Kilgore
Molecular Probes Tech Support
Thermo Fisher Scientific

-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Littlejohn, George
Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2014 9:08 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: Biological inert coverslip sealing

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Dear Antonio,

I can recommend Carolina Observation Gel (polydimethylsiloxane, and supplied by Blades Biological in the UK).

All the best,
George

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Dr. George Littlejohn
Halpin Laboratory,
School of Biosciences,
University of Exeter,
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EX4 4QD, UK

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On 27 Feb 2014, at 16:05, "Antonio J Pereira" <[hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>> wrote:

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Hi all,

For some purposes in live cell imaging we assemble a chamber with a coverslip on top of a slide.
We use two halves of another coverslip to act as spacers.

The  issue is the sealing. We've been using VALAP (a kind of wax) that we  melt and then use to seal all the way through the periphery of the  coverslip.

It works, but it would be more convenient to have something that does not have to be heated, and that would harden just by  contact with air.
A bit like the nail varnish used for fixed material ... but here we need something which is biologically inert.

Any suggestions? Thanks a lot.

Antonio



António Pereira
Chromosome Instability and Dynamics Group, Maiato lab

IBMC - Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology
Porto- Portugal


António Pereira
IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular
Grupo Instabilidade e Dinâmica Cromossómica

Rua do Campo Alegre, 823
4150-180 Porto
Portugal

[phone] (ext# 1620)
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