How to prepare ticks? - briefly
Collect live ticks, store them in a ventilated container with moist cotton at 4‑10 °C until needed. Before examination, rinse with sterile PBS, eliminate debris, and fix in 70 % ethanol for ten minutes if preservation is required.
How to prepare ticks? - in detail
Preparing ticks for laboratory work requires systematic handling to preserve morphology and DNA integrity. Follow these steps:
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Collection: Use fine‑tipped forceps or a tick‑removal tool to grasp the tick close to the skin. Place each specimen in a labeled, breathable container (e.g., a vial with a cotton plug) to prevent overheating.
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Identification: Under a stereomicroscope, record species, life stage, engorgement level, and collection date. Capture high‑resolution images for reference.
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Surface sterilization: Immerse ticks briefly (10–15 seconds) in 70 % ethanol, then rinse in sterile phosphate‑buffered saline (PBS) to remove external contaminants without damaging cuticle structures.
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Fixation (for morphological studies): Transfer ticks to a fixative solution such as 4 % paraformaldehyde in PBS. Incubate at 4 °C for 12–24 hours, ensuring complete immersion. After fixation, rinse three times in PBS to eliminate residual fixative.
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Preservation (for molecular analyses): If DNA or RNA extraction is planned, place ticks directly into RNAlater or a cryogenic medium (e.g., liquid nitrogen) and store at –80 °C. Avoid repeated freeze‑thaw cycles.
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Dissection (optional): Perform under a dissecting microscope using sterile micro‑scissors. Isolate salivary glands, midgut, or other organs as required. Keep tissues on ice and transfer immediately to appropriate buffer.
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Documentation: Log all procedural details, including reagent concentrations, incubation times, and storage conditions, in a laboratory notebook or electronic system.
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Safety: Wear gloves, lab coat, and eye protection throughout. Dispose of waste according to biosafety guidelines, especially when handling pathogen‑carrying specimens.
Adhering to this protocol ensures consistent sample quality for histological staining, immunofluorescence, or nucleic‑acid based assays.