The application of scanning electron microscopy to cells in culture: selected methodologies

Cell culture is one of the most widely used techniques in modern biology. As a result, morphology of culture systems at the ultrastructural level is also becoming more widespread. Whilst offering an optimum in terms of fixation accessibility, cells in tissue culture can present problems in terms of handling for scanning electron microscopy, particularly when they are grown on, or in semi-solid media, or on gels e.g. collagen. The examination of cultured cell suspensions or mixed cell populations may also require careful handling to produce meaningful results in terms of surface morphology and cellular interaction. Cells specifically cultured on carbon films can also be used for information of internal cell structure as well as surface topography, often simultaneously, if a suitable imaging system is available. This communication reviews a wide spectrum of experimental manipulations of cultured material to provide an introduction to the gathering of morphological information from material in tissue culture.