[NHCOLL-L:190] Archival glues/storage for sub mm cysts.

[Damien Coup]

I have mounted many small insects(non quite as small as a cyst on points and cards using Tilliards Glue which is water soluble.
I believe a commercially prepared alternative is seccotine. As these cysts are so small, have you considered mounting them on rectangle cards? Or maybe even gluing them on a glass slide without a cover slip if back light is needed.
The cards are only an option if you don't need back light when viewing on the microscope but offer superior protection from being knocked off ( http://www.nor.com.au/business/austento/images/points.jpg ), have a look at this picture if you are unsure what the cards look like.

Hope this helps a little,
Damien

Hello, 
I intend to mount fairy shrimp cysts on points for long term storage. These 
cysts are small (150-750 microns wide) and relatively hard. They absorb 
moisture from the air and may change shape/diameter as humidity changes. I am 
looking for an archival quality glue that will hold the cysts. I will prefer a 
glue that does not harm the cysts, as they might be detached for hatching at 
some future date, but this desire is second to long term storage. Points offer 
the advantage of rapid access to specific cysts for microscope observation 
and/or treatment of specific cysts. Glued cysts will not be lost in trasferor 
use (the cysts can build an annoying static charge). 

An alternate storage system might be gel caps or genitalia vials. (Again, 
plastic vials can also build a charge--it can be hard to transfer cysts without 
loss). I am open to other possibilities. I keep some cysts on double stick 
tape on SEM stubs. 

I have tried using PVA white glue for temporary storage on points. Now I am 
seeking archival glues for long term storage on archival quality cardstock. 

Any suggestions? 
Thanks for your thoughts. 


Damien Coup
Crop&Food Research
Lincoln, Canterbury




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