title: Description of a coverslip holder for, and observations on, the critical point drying of cell cultures.
abstract: The elimination of artefact during the preparation of cell cultures for scanning electron microscopy is difficult. Collapse of cellular projections, cytoplasmic cracks, perforations and fracturing of cell-cell processes and cell-substrate attachments occur during fixation, dehydration and critical point drying. Coating and storage may cause further artefact. A specimen holder which serves to minimize turbulence in the critical point dryer and which allows for the simultaneous processing of up to five coverslips, as well as a reproducible technique for the preparation of cell cultures are described.
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D003584:Cytological Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003890:Desiccation; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000295:instrumentation