MicrobeHunter.com » Recommended reading http://www.microbehunter.com of Microscopy, Microbes and More Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:31:48 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Royal Society articles can now be downloaded for free http://www.microbehunter.com/2011/11/07/royal-society-articles-can-now-be-downloaded-for-free/ http://www.microbehunter.com/2011/11/07/royal-society-articles-can-now-be-downloaded-for-free/#comments Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:40:42 +0000 Oliver http://www.microbehunter.com/?p=3583 Notes and Records is a periodical publication by the Royal Society and is now available for free download. Many published articles relate to microscopy.]]> The Notes and Records is a periodical publication by the Royal Society and is now available for free download. Many published articles relate to microscopy, here is a selection of some:

]]> http://www.microbehunter.com/2011/11/07/royal-society-articles-can-now-be-downloaded-for-free/feed/ 0 Magazine articles on microscopy http://www.microbehunter.com/2010/02/12/magazine-articles-on-microscopy/ http://www.microbehunter.com/2010/02/12/magazine-articles-on-microscopy/#comments Fri, 12 Feb 2010 11:00:45 +0000 Oliver http://www.microbehunter.com/?p=1505 Popular Science magazine published many different articles dealing with microscopy. These articles can be accessed over Google Books:
Popular Science articles on microscopy. Even though some of the articles are quite dated (going back into the 1930s), they still can contain valuable information and tips which remain valid up to today. Be aware that not all presented methods may be suitable for the use in schools and with children.

]]> http://www.microbehunter.com/2010/02/12/magazine-articles-on-microscopy/feed/ 0 Staining bacteria http://www.microbehunter.com/2010/01/15/staining-bacteria/ http://www.microbehunter.com/2010/01/15/staining-bacteria/#comments Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:00:31 +0000 Oliver http://www.microbehunter.com/?p=1466 Here is yet another link to an article from Popular Science magazine. It deals with the isolation, fixing and staining of bacteria. I would not recommend the use of some of the solvents that they use (such as xylol) with children, however. They also describe a blood smear preparation, what I do not recommend for schools (it may not even be allowed in some countries). Still, the article gives a very nice introduction into several preparatory techniques. The article stretches over several pages, click the link at the end of the pages to continue reading. The fact that the article was published 75 years ago, in 1934, does not matter. The preparatory method stayed the same.

Link to the article: Microb hunting with your Microscope (Popular Science, Sept 1934)

]]> http://www.microbehunter.com/2010/01/15/staining-bacteria/feed/ 0 Stains and reagents for microscopy http://www.microbehunter.com/2010/01/12/stains-and-reagents-for-microscopy/ http://www.microbehunter.com/2010/01/12/stains-and-reagents-for-microscopy/#comments Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:30:32 +0000 Oliver http://www.microbehunter.com/?p=1461 I found an article in Popular Science Magazine (see link below) which gives a general overview of different stains that can be used in microscopy. The article divides the stains into three categories:

  • Common household chemicals: this includes Iodine, for example. They are very readily available.
  • Substances used mostly for microscopy: Methylene blue, Hematoxyline, and Eosine belong to this group.
  • Commercial substances: they are sold by companies specializing in microscopic chemicals.

The article also provides a step-by-step guide on how to stain a blood sample (don’t do this in schools due to danger of infection).

Link to the article: Help Your Microscope with Stains and Reagents (Popular Science, March 1937)

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