Preparation of representative samples of subcellular fractions for electron microscopy by filtration with dextran.
A simple method is described for obtaining a representative field of subcellular fractions for thin section electron microscopy. The prefixed sample is admixed together with high molecular weight dextran, filtered onto a Millipore filter, and embedded in polymer. Filtration serves to uniformly distribute structures of different sizes and densities. The dextran serves as a nonosmophilic spacer, increasing the space between individual structures and preventing sample compression during filtration onto Millipore filters. Sample aggregation can also readily be assessed by the procedure.
D003911:Dextrans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005374:Filtration / Q000379:methods; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods*; D009132:Muscles / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure
D003911:Dextrans