Evaluation of the Microanatomy of the Liver via a Rapid Sample Preparation Protocol and a Table-Top Scanning Electron Microscope
Filip Braet*Australian Centre for Microscopy & Microanalysis (ACMM), The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Abstract
In this paper an alternative preparation and imaging method is presented that allows investigation of the fine structure of hepatic tissue within one hour after the initial fixation step. This approach involves, besides traditional fixation with glutaraldehyde, chemical drying and subsequent investigation of the samples with the new generation of user-friendly desktop scanning electron microscopes. The data presented herein reveal comparative preservation of liver ultrastructure to those that are prepared using classical sample preparation protocols. This low-cost approach permits the swift study of liver tissue subjected to various testing conditions and hence bridges the time gap between experiment and subsequent ultrastructural observation at the nanoscale.
Keywords: Electron microscopy, liver, microanatomy, hepatic morphology, ultrastructure.
Article Information
Article History:
Received Date: 05/11/2010
Revision Received Date: 23/11/2010
Acceptance Date: 26/11/2010
Electronic publication date: 30/12/2010
Collection year: 2010
© Filip Braet etal.; Licensee Bentham Open.
open-access license: This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (
http: //creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.
* Address correspondence to this author at the Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis (ACMM), Madsen Building F09, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Tel: + 61 2 9351 7619; Fax: + 61 2 9351 7682; E-mailfilip.braet@sydney.edu.au
Open Peer Review Details |
Manuscript submitted on 05-11-2010 |
Original Manuscript |
Evaluation of the Microanatomy of the Liver via a Rapid Sample Preparation Protocol and a Table-Top Scanning Electron Microscope |