Examination of the transition of cultured neuronal cells from submerged to exposed using an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM)

Relatively few studies of fully hydrated live or fixed cultured animal cells viewed by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) have been published. In some cases there may have been some drying out of the cells. In this study the interface between water and cells is imaged as water is carefully evaporated to expose cells. Technical difficulties associated with the process, including inadvertent rewetting of cells are described. Suggestions are made for optimising operating parameters for viewing fully hydrated cultured cells by ESEM. The prospects for viewing live cultured cells are discussed.