Growing and in-situ processing of cells on BEEM capsule caps for scanning electron microscopy

A simple technique for processing cells grown on BEEM capsule caps for scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observation is described. The cells adhere to a substratum on the inner surface of caps coated with either an egg white-polyvinylpyrrolidone solution or a polylysine solution in the case of eukaryotic cells and an agar solution in the case of bacteria. The adhering cells are cultured and then processed in situ for SEM observation. Electron micrographs revealed details of the shape of the cells growing on the surface of the substrate. The technique seems to be particularly well suited for observing sequential morphological changes of cells, bacteria, and protozoa cultured under a specified experimental condition as well as of interactions between cells and parasitic microorganisms.