McCormick Lab Wiki

Materials:

• colored lab tape
• glass slides
• cover glass
• fast-dry clear nail polish
• microscope slide book
• 2% agarose
• 70% EtOH
• Kim Wipes

Steps:

1. Clean and dry slides and cover glass to be used. Note: only 70% EtOH and Kim Wipes should be used to clean these.
2. Prepare two glass slides with tape on each end of both slide if not already prepared. Note: for standard 1 mm wide slide, 3 mm colored lab tape is sufficient (3 layer wrap).
3. Place a slide in center of the two tape prepped slides.
4. Add 20 μL of 2% agarose to center of middle slide.
5. Place one slide atop the drop, with sides leaning on the taped ends surrounding the drop.
6. Press down the top slide to smash the agarose pad.
7. Flip the slide with the agarose pad over.
8. Add 1 drop (~2 μL) of levamisole to the center of the agarose pad.
9. Place worm(s) in the levamisole drop.
10. Place cover glass on the drop, dropping from side angle. Note: ideally there should be no bubbles made here.
11. Stick the cover glass to the glass slide by placing a drop of quick-dry nail polish in each corner of the cover glass. Note: sealing the cover glass is only necessary if you are reimaging these worms later.
12. Place the slide on a scope with the cover glass side facing down.
13. Circle around each worm by marking the glass slide.
14. Image the worms with the cover glass side facing down.