The use of polystyrene microcarriers to prepare cell monolayers for transmission electron microscopy

A simple method is described, using polystyrene microcarrier beads, that allows cell monolayers to be prepared without distortion for transmission electron microscopy. Cells cultured on polystyrene beads (Biosilon R, Nunc, Kamstrup, Denmark) are held in an agar matrix. Before embedding, the beads are dissolved in 1,2-epoxypropane. The technique increased the number of observable cells, when compared to preparations of planar monolayers, and there is good preservation of morphological detail.