How to prepare a tick for study? - briefly
Collect live specimens, surface‑sterilize, and preserve them at ‑80 °C for molecular work or in 70 % ethanol for morphological analysis. Then dissect under a stereomicroscope, extract the required tissue or DNA, and label each sample with complete collection data.
How to prepare a tick for study? - in detail
Collect ticks using forceps, white‑paper traps, or flagging of vegetation. Place each specimen in a separate, breathable container to prevent cross‑contamination. Record collection site, date, host species, and environmental conditions immediately.
Identify species by examining morphological characters under a stereomicroscope. Use a reliable key that includes scutum pattern, capitulum shape, and festoon count. Verify identification with molecular markers when morphological features are ambiguous.
Surface‑sterilize specimens before further processing. Submerge ticks in 70 % ethanol for 30 seconds, then rinse in sterile phosphate‑buffered saline. Perform the procedure in a laminar‑flow cabinet to avoid external DNA contamination.
Preserve ticks according to downstream analyses:
- For DNA/RNA extraction: store in 95–100 % ethanol at –20 °C or –80 °C.
- For histology or microscopy: fix in 4 % paraformaldehyde for 12–24 h, then transfer to 70 % ethanol.
- For live‑virus work: keep on ice and process within 24 h, or freeze at –80 °C in cryoprotectant.
Dissect ticks using sterile micro‑scissors or a fine blade. Separate mouthparts, salivary glands, midgut, and reproductive organs as required. Transfer each tissue to pre‑labelled microcentrifuge tubes containing appropriate buffer (e.g., RNA later for RNA work). Minimize exposure to air and heat to preserve nucleic acids and proteins.
Label each tube with a unique identifier that links to the collection record. Include species, developmental stage, sex, and preservation method. Store tubes in a temperature‑controlled freezer or refrigerated cabinet, maintaining a backup log in both electronic and paper formats.
Follow biosafety level 2 protocols when handling potentially pathogen‑laden specimens. Wear disposable gloves, lab coat, and eye protection. Dispose of waste in biohazard containers, autoclave before discard. Maintain a chain‑of‑custody documentation that details every manipulation, storage condition, and personnel involved.