Sample collection: First, you need to collect appropriate samples from the object of study. This may involve biological tissues, cells, or other tiny particles. For example, when preparing plants and other acid-insoluble microfossils, it usually involves mounting the residues after chemical treatment on a microscope glass slide.

Sample processing and fixation: The collected samples need to be properly processed and fixed to maintain their structure and morphology. For example, using the RAMP (Rapid Adhesion Mediated Procedure) technique, tissue sections can be prepared without a microtome. In addition, for certain types of samples, such as single spores or microfossils, a multi-grain slide preparation method can be used, which allows multiple samples to be displayed on the same slide, saving space and simplifying the observation process.

Cleaning and disinfection: To ensure the cleanliness of slides and coverslips, they usually need to be washed with acid or alkaline solutions first to remove the oil film that may affect cell attachment. In addition, for the slides and coverslips used in fluorescence microscopy procedures, they must be very clean, as even new coverslips may have a thin layer of grease.

Mounting: Coating the slide with substances such as gel, aminoalkylsilane or poly-L-lysine solution to promote the adhesion of cells or tissues to the glass surface. For specific applications, such as photomicrography resolution test slides, cell patterns with different line count patterns can be taken individually, and then these patterns can be combined into a high-quality projection lens resolution test slide.

Special treatment: If needed, special treatments can also be applied to the slides, such as using colored backgrounds to attract the audience’s attention or using slides made of transparent materials that contain thin-film sensors for measuring physiological parameters of organic materials.

In summary, preparing microscope slides is a process involving multiple steps, from the collection and processing of samples to the cleaning, mounting and possible special treatment of the slides. Each step needs to be carefully performed to ensure that the final slide can be effectively used for microscopic observation.

References

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3. Christine Ewan. “Prepare and use slides..” Medical Teacher (1981).  52-62        .

4. O. W. Richards. “Proper Slide Preparation and Projection.” (1966). 880-880.

5. A. Fischer, K. Jacobson et al. “Preparation of slides and coverslips for microscopy..” Cold Spring Harbor Protocols (2008).pdb.prot4988 .

6. H. W. Elder and H. R. Agee. “A Simple and Inexpensive Method for Preparing Slides Using Diazo® Film.” (1977). 119-119.

7. F. A. Kundell. “A fast inexpensive procedure for making 35-mm slides.” (1997). 1342.

8. P. Cull. “Making and using medical slides..” British journal of hospital medicine (1992).132-5 .

9. C. Schmalenberg. “Making and Using Slides.” Nurse Educator (1979). 12-15.

10. R. M. Jeffords and Daniel H. Jones. “Preparation of slides for spores and other micro-fossils.” (1959). 344-347.

11. J. Provo-Klimek and D. Troyer. “A novel method for preparing histology slides to integrate the teaching of gross and microscopic anatomy..” Journal of Veterinary Medical Education (2002).137-41 .

12. K. Maedler. “A Technique for the Preparation of Multi-Grain Palynological Slides.” (1956). 399-401.

13. Deryl L. Troyer, W. C. Cash et al. “A Novel Method for Preparing Histology Slides Without a Microtome.” Anatomia, Histologia, Embryologia. Journal of Veterinary Medicine Series C (2002).

14. B. Wolf, W. Baumann et al. “Slides for Microscope.” (1994).

15. W. Ciesla. “Preparing Slides with Colored Backgrounds—Another Approach.” (1979). 145-146.

16. F. R. Padgham, J. Bird et al. “A Method of Preparing Projection-Lens Resolution Test Slides.” (1956). 24-28.