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MICROSCOPE SLIDE PREPARATION

Microscope slides are thin, flat, rectangular pieces of glass or plastic used to hold specimens for microscopic examination. They provide a stable platform for observing and analyzing biological or non-biological samples under a microscope.

Microscope slides are essential tools in microscopy and are used in various scientific disciplines, including biology, pathology, histology, and research. They allow researchers, students, and professionals to observe and study a wide range of specimens, from cells and tissues to microorganisms, minerals, and other small structures.

  The specimen is usually placed on the center of the slide, either directly or using a mounting medium (such as a liquid or gel) to help preserve and protect the sample. Coverslips, thin square or circular pieces of glass or plastic, are often placed on top of the specimen to prevent damage and provide a flat surface for focusing the microscope.

It is common practice to label microscope slides with relevant information, such as the sample identification, date, and any staining or treatment methods used. Labeling allows for easy identification and traceability of the slide during observation or when archiving the slides for future reference.

This section has been designed to introduce you to the care and preparation of microscope slides. It first describes the methods you can use in the care of these important and relatively fragile objects. Basically , there are two types of slides; temporary slides and permanent slides

Slides for use in mounting specimens and sections or for inking smears must be free of dust and grease. and wettable.

If dust is present, it will appear as specks or threads on the slides and interfere with the view of an object.

Grease prevents adhesion to the elide of smears or when mounting wax ribbon microtome sections. The slide must be wettable so that smears and squashes spread evenly without coalescing into droplets 

Even most new slides must be cleaned before use, and, of course, those used for making temporary preparations dust be cleaned before reuse.

Washing up used slides

(1) Rinse off debris with tap water.

(2) Soak the slides in detergent solution, e.g. or Teepol. at the manufacturers recommended concentration,

(3) Rinse the slides in tap water.

(4) Rinse the slides in distilled water using two complete changes of water.

(5) Wipe the slides dry on a lint-free cloth and store them in a dust-free box.

This may be all that is required for general purpose use in a laboratory. For more exacting use, however, it may be necessary to give the slides a solvent wash as follows to ensure that they are completely de-greased.

• Soak the slides overnight in 1.2 dimethylbenzenel/ industrial ethanol (xylene/methylated spirit) 1/1 solution in a closed jar (appropriately labelled)
• Remove the slides and rinse in pure methylated spirit.
  (8) Drain and place the slides over a spirit lamp for a fraction of a second so that alcohol is burnt and fungal infection and germs are removed and then dry the slides with a lint-free cloth.

(9) Store the slide .The slides must be stored in a dust-freebox. Handle them only by their edges to prevent grease contamination from your fingers.

Cleaning routine for new slides

These are usually acid clean and may simply need to be polished with a lint-free cloth before use to remove dust. For more exacting work, carry out the procedure described in the previous paragraph, steps (6)-(10). These routine scan also be used for cover coverslips

Storage of prepared slides

Prepared permanent slides are valuable. They are widely used by

educational establishments in the teaching of histology (the study of tissues of plants and animals) and cytology (the study of cells).

The following is a short list of some important pointers towards good practice.

(1) Freshly prepared permanent slides must be stored flat until the mountant has  hardened,

(2) Once the mountant is hard the slide may be stored flat in a card tray or upright in a slotted box or cabinet drawer

Labeling of Slides

Slides act as a permanent record of tissues, organs and specimens. They maybe of pathological origin, e.g. hospital patients, purchased material, prepared in house,etc. In all cases it is essential that the slide is properly identified by adequate labelling.

Labels should therefore carry the following information:

(1) The name of the organism

(2) The part of the organism used, e.g. liver, root.

(3) The type of preparation, e.g. smear; squash;

TS = transverse section;

VS =vertical section;

LS = longitudinal section.

The following information is desirable  but not essential:

(4) Stain(s) used, e.g. H.E. =haematoxylin~eosin.

If the slide is prepared ‘in house7then it should be:

(5) Dated

(6) Signed.

It is common to use two labels, one on each end. Self-adhesive or gummed slide labels pre-printed with lines are available from lab suppliers

You will find it easier to write  the label before you stick it on the slide, If the label is gummed(rather then self-adhesive) you must not lick it but use a wet sponge