Imaging the internal cellular structure of merino wool fibres using atomic force microscopy

Abstract

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to image the cellular structure of Merino wool fibres. Fibres were embedded in LR White resin and sectioned with an ultramicrotome using a diamond knife. Both thin sections and the block, from which the sections were cut, were imaged. The technique yielded sufficiently flat surfaces, enabling details of the cellular components within the wool fibre (ortho- and paracortical cells, cell membrane complex, macrofibrils and nuclear remnants) to be readily discerned by AFM. Some images show the cell membrane complex to be below the surface of the cortical cells, whereas in other images, the cell membrane complex was above the level of the cortical cells.