Make the streakseeder

• Mount a rabbit whisker on the end of a toothpick with melted wax
• Degrease the whisker with ethanol/methanol, wash in water, and dry
• Alternatively, wash a previously used probe with water, and dry
• A good whisker should be able to transfer seeds evenly to up to a dozen drops

• Touch a crystal with the whisker: seeds will be dislodged by friction
• Streak the whisker across the centre of pre-equilibrated drops
• Keep the distance the whisker travels in air to a minimum
• Sitting drops are better than hanging drops for streakseeding as they do not dry out as much while the coverslip is off

© 1999-2005 Airlie J McCoy, University of Cambridge. All rights reserved.

Last updated: 7 June, 2005