Home Microscopy - (Sep/15/2004 )

Hi guys,

Extreme noob here. Sorry! Hope someone doesn't flame me bad for posting in the wrong place

I have a binocular scope, good for 1000x w/ oil.

1 x Oil, Immersion, Type A Cargille, 1/4oz Applicator Bottle
1 x Kit, Preassembled Stains, Gram`s Stain
bottle of lens cleaner
bottle of meth blue

1 x Lens Tissue, Multi-Wipes, 4.5 x 8.5 In., 300 Wipes/Box
1 x Slides, Microscope, Glass, Colored End-Green, 75x25mm, 72/pk
1 x Cover Slips, Glass, 22x22mm, #1, 100/box
1 x Slides, Prepared, Bacteria Set, 10 Slides
1 x Bottle, Wash, LDPE, 250ml, NM, Red, Leakproof Closure
1 x Gloves, Disp, Latex, Textured, Low Powder, Large, 100/box

I have A&P I and Micro in college. I want to simulate labs from classes and explore a little on my own. What other stuff should I have? Help me think of little things.

you will need a source for heat - a camping gas thingy like i mentioned in your other thread should do.

when doing mircobiology at home and growing some bugs by yourself, you should be aware that you may be handling large quantities of human pathogens, which can be in the earth, for example. so you should handle all cultures with care and think about the diposal of the bugs after you're though with them. i don't think you have an autoclave ready at home, do you?

but just microscopy is ok, there's not much that can go wrong with that. the equipment you mentioned sounds ok, you should be able to do some fairly decent microscopy with that.

mike

A pressure cooker would work as an autoclave. But I also wouldn't recommend any culturing at home, because of the risk of culturing pathogens. You also have to consider disposal of stains etc, before you start stocking up on Iodine etc.

I suggest you get yourself a basic dissection kit; student kits are inexpensive, and will include bits and pieces handy in handling speciments etc. Some bleach for use as a sterilizing soak for used slides.