Whole-animal mounts of Caenorhabditis elegans for 3D imaging using atomic force microscopy.
The 3D surface of Caenorhabditis elegans was imaged at nanometer resolution using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Oscillation of a medium stiffness silicon AFM cantilever at the upper second amplitude peak, typically 6 times above the fundamental frequency, vastly improved image quality on the moist, sticky, and soft worms. Whole-animal mounts of normal and double-headed mutants of the nematode worm were prepared and scanned. Well-preserved anatomical features including annuli, furrows, alae, and rows of never before seen nanometer-sized pores dotting the molted worm's outermost surface coat were resolved. Well-preserved anatomical features including annuli, furrows, alae, and rows of nanometer-sized pores or struts dotting the molted worm's outermost surface were resolved. This AFM method represents a simple and rapid new approach for nanometer-resolved 3D imaging and analysis of whole-animal specimens of C. elegans.


BACKGROUND
In this interesting article the authors describe a new AFM sampling method to allow better images on whole-animal mounts such as C. elegans. This method would generate more information and in the future may be useful for differentiating even individual animals with different genetic backgrounds.
Center for Nanomedicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
Michael J
MJ
Allen
Section of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
Rajani
R
Kanteti
Center for Nanomedicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
Jacob J
JJ
Riehm
Section of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
Essam
E
El-Hashani
Section of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. Electronic address: rsalgia@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu.
Ravi
R
Salgia
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000235:genetics / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods*; D009154:Mutation
AFM; Atomic force microscopy; C. elegans