Scanning electron microscopy of mitotic nuclei and chromosomes in filamentous fungi

A new method for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of fungal mitotic nuclei and chromosomes was established for two ascomycetes, Cochliobolus heterostrophus and Neurospora crassa. Nuclei and chromosomes discharged from germling cells by the germ-tube burst method were spread on a surface of a glass slide. The spreads were impregnated with osmium-thiocarbohydrazide for conductive staining, followed by coating with platinum, and observed by field-emission SEM. Ultrastructure of fungal chromosomes and nuclei was visualized by SEM for the first time.