Conditioning of a glass surface for the outgrowth of insect epidermis (Leucophaea maderae, Blattaria).

A method has been developed by which the surface of cover slips can be condition for rapid outgrowth of the epidermis of cockroach legs. The method permits in vitro observation of wound-healing processes. The conditioning is brought about by materials given off by the hemocytes, possibly materials from the granules of plasmatocytes which are extruded during the flattening of the cells; Coating of the glass surface with other proteins (including cockroach hemolymph serum) and carbohydrates was completely ineffective.