Objektträger

Objektträger, in English commonly called a microscope slide, are thin, flat plates used to hold specimens for microscopic examination. A typical slide serves as a stable support for a specimen and a mounting medium, and it is often paired with a coverslip to create a thin, optically clear viewing layer.

Most standard Objektträger are made of soda-lime glass or borosilicate glass and measure about 26 by 76 millimeters with a thickness of roughly 1.0 to 1.2 millimeters. This standard size allows compatibility with light microscopes, staining protocols, and storage systems. Variants include plain slides for routine preparations, frosted slides with one end roughened for labeling, and coated slides whose surfaces are treated to improve adherence of cells or tissues. Common coatings include poly-L-lysine and silanized surfaces.

In addition to plain and coated slides, there are specialized chamber or multi-well slides used for cell culture, immunocytochemistry, and other rapid assays. These slides provide small wells or channels to hold multiple samples or reagents in a single slide.

Preparation and handling practices are important for reliable results. Slides should be clean and free of fingerprints or other contaminants; they are typically cleaned with suitable detergents and rinsing solutions and can be sterilized when needed. After mounting a specimen in an appropriate medium, a coverslip is often placed on top to flatten the sample and improve optical quality.

Storage and safety considerations include keeping slides in dedicated slide boxes, protected from dust and humidity, and handling broken glass with care. Objektträger are ubiquitous in clinical, research, and educational laboratories and form the foundational platform for microscopic analysis.