Method for taking Scanning Electron Microscope photographs of nematodes and meiofauna with the support of a low-cost and easy-made container

• DOI: 10.2478/helm-2023-0041
• Publication Date: 2024-01-13T21:22:39Z
• Authors: H. T. Nguyen; T. D. Nguyen; T. M. L. Le; Q. P. Trinh
• Keywords: Research Note; 0303 health sciences; 03 medical and health sciences; hand-made tool; sem; dehydration; Microbiology; critical point drying; QR1-502

Summary This paper presents a method for capturing Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) photographs of small specimens, including nematodes, arthropods, small insects, and other meiofauna. Our method is tailored to handle nematode specimens mounted on permanent slides, an area with relatively limited documentation. Besides, the process of transferring such delicate specimens from one solution to another has historically posed numerous challenges. To address this issue, we introduce a low-cost and easy-made container designed specifically to facilitate the aforementioned procedure, with a particular focus on SEM photography. The newly introduced container offers a practical solution that enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of specimen handling, ultimately enabling high-quality SEM imaging. This method holds significant promise for researchers working in the field of micro-scopic organism analysis, providing a valuable tool for their investigations with minimum cost.