What methods do you think are best for imaging of non-adherent cells?
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Imaging of non-adherent cells can be difficult, mainly because they don’t image very well. Here are some things to consider:
• confocal imaging will help since non-adherent cells tend to be spherical
• if labeling intracellular structures, washes and optimization is really important since the internal cellular architecture is not as nicely spaced out like in adherent cells
• use of coated plates/dishes help the cells adhere a bit, helping to prevent movement
• keep the imaging media at a constant temperature, to help decrease liquid movement that may disturb the cells
• finally there are imaging cytometer systems that, although expensive, are very well suited to performing imaging with cells in suspension
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