Improved rapid method for electron microscopy of macro- and micro-tissue cultures.

A rapid method of embedding macro- and micro-tissue cultures is described. The procedure involves use of a preshaped BEEM capsule for pelleting, fixation and embedding of tissue culture cells for electron microscopy. To obtain good contrast specimens prepared by this rapid method need a rather longer staining time with uranyl acetate than specimens prepared by standard methods. THis procedure takes only about 200 min from fixation and embedding to double staining with uranyl acetate and lead citrate. It should be useful for both monolayer tissue cultures and organ cultures in diagnostic and research studies on viral agents.