Mica sandwich technique for preparing macromolecules for rotary shadowing.
The sandwich technique, in which a drop of sample solution is spread into a thin layer between two pieces of freshly cleaved mica, is a simple-to-use alternative to spraying for depositing macromolecules onto mica. Test specimens of collagen molecules and actin filaments were found to suffer less shear-induced damage, they were more uniformly distributed, and only very small sample volumes were needed. Either drying from a glycerol solution (40-70% v/v) or freeze-drying can be employed. Glycerol-drying is simpler, but freeze-drying may offer better preservation of supra-molecular assemblies.
D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis; D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D000818:Animals; D002021:Buffers; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D005612:Freeze Drying; D005990:Glycerol / Q000494:pharmacology; D006652:Histological Techniques; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D051381:Rats
D000199:Actins; D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D002021:Buffers; D003094:Collagen; D005990:Glycerol; C011934:mica