Ultrastructural investigation methods for Trypanosoma brucei

Höög, J. L., Gluenz, E. , Vaughan, S. and Gull, K. (2010) Ultrastructural investigation methods for Trypanosoma brucei. Methods in Cell Biology, 96, pp. 175-196. (doi: 10.1016/S0091-679X(10)96008-1) (PMID:20869523)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

Trypanosoma brucei is a unicellular parasite causing African sleeping sickness in cattle and humans. Due to the ease with which these cells can be cultured and genetically manipulated, it has emerged as a model organism for the kinetoplastids.In this chapter we describe the preparation of T. brucei for transmission electron microscopy. A thorough explanation of conventional sample preparation through chemical fixation of whole cells and detergent extracted cytoskeletons followed by dehydration and Epon embedding is given. We also introduce a novel high-pressure freezing protocol, which followed by rapid freeze substitution and HM20 embedding generates T. brucei samples displaying good cell morphology, which are suitable for immunocytochemistry.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Gluenz, Dr Eva
Authors: Höög, J. L., Gluenz, E., Vaughan, S., and Gull, K.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Methods in Cell Biology
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0091-679X
Published Online:23 September 2010

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record