Comprehensive protocol for preparing diatom cell samples and associated bacterial consortia for scanning electron...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Microscopy
• Marine Biology

Background:

• Accurate observation of microorganisms like diatoms requires meticulous sample preparation.
• Electron microscopy offers high resolution for studying cellular morphology and interactions.
• Preserving native microbial communities alongside host cells is crucial for ecological studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a detailed protocol for preserving Phaeodactylum tricornutum and its native bacterial community.
• To enable high-resolution imaging of diatom-bacteria interactions using scanning electron microscopy.
• To provide a reproducible method for sample preparation in microbial ecology.

Main Methods:

• Diatom fixation and coverslip preparation.
• Washing, dehydration, and drying procedures.
• Sample metallization and scanning electron microscopy observation.

Main Results:

• Successful preservation of Phaeodactylum tricornutum cell integrity.
• Preservation of the native bacterial community associated with the diatoms.
• Demonstration of cellular morphology and potential interactions via scanning electron microscopy.

Conclusions:

• The presented protocol ensures high-quality sample preservation for electron microscopy.
• This method facilitates the study of diatom-associated bacterial communities.
• The protocol is valuable for research in microbial ecology and marine biology.