Getting Suspended Cells or Particles Embedded in the Tip of BEEM Capsules

Extract

It can be a problem to get suspended (or plated) cells or particles to settle into the apex of a BEEM capsule for embedding, particularly if the cei is/particles can not be embedding in agar or gelatin for some reason. The following simple procedure solves this problem.

Process the suspensions in polypropylene test tubes or microcentrifugation tubes. These can be spun down after each transfer for 5 minutes at 3000 rpm. Once the cells/particles are fixed, en bloc stained, and infiltrated with either Spurr's or LR White resin, I transfer them to BEEM capsules. I do not add additional resin yet. These are placed piggyback in microcentrifuge tubes that have been slit with wire cutters to make them large enough for the BEEM capsules to fit (see following illustration).

Processing cell suspensions or plated cells can be done in polypropylene test tubes or microcentrifuge tubes. These can be spun down after each transfer for 5 minutes at 3000 rpm. Once the cells are fixed, enbloc stained, and infiltrated with either Spurr or LRWhite resin, I transfer them to BEEM capsules. I do not add additional resin yet.