Studying mitosis in cultured Mammalian cells

INTRODUCTIONA major challenge for those who study mitosis is the need to keep cells alive and mitotically active during observations. This protocol describes methods for maintaining healthy, dividing mammalian cells in culture and during imaging, when mitosis can be examined. Rose chambers are preferable for observation and microinjection of living mitotic cells, but slide/coverslip preparations are easy to make and do not require any special equipment. Another inexpensive and easy-to-use alternative is to grow cells in a culture dish with a glass bottom. Such dishes are suitable for microinjection experiments.