Welcome back Joy — missed you this week. Here are ten artifacts that can be found in tissue processing for electron microscopy: 1. Fixation artifacts: These can include precipitation of fixatives, incomplete fixation, or over-fixation, leading to altered cellular structures. 2. Dehydration artifacts: Incomplete removal of water or damage from dehydrating agents can cause shrinkage or collapse of cells and organelles. 3. Infiltration artifacts: Incomplete penetration of embedding resin into the tissue can result in areas that are not properly supported. 4. Embedding artifacts: Air bubbles trapped in the resin block or uneven polymerization of the resin can create voids or distortions. 5. Sectioning artifacts: Knife marks, compression, chatter, or tearing of the tissue during ultramicrotomy can obscure fine details. 6. Staining artifacts: Uneven staining, precipitation of stain particles, or over-staining can mask or mimic cellular structures. 7. Contamination: Dust, debris, or residues from equipment or reagents can appear as foreign particles in the sections. 8. Autolysis: If fixation is delayed, cellular enzymes can degrade structures, leading to a loss of fine detail. 9. Swelling: Improper osmolarity of fixatives or buffers can cause cells or organelles to swell. 10. Extraction artifacts: Solvents used in processing can sometimes extract lipids or other soluble components, leaving empty spaces. Send me the next one 📸