Under the patronage of Professor Dr. Sameera Naji Khdim, Dean of the College of Science for Women, the Continuing Education Unit, in collaboration with the Department of Biology, held a specialized training course titled “Preparation of Plant Tissue Sections and Methods for Addressing Sectioning Problems.” The course was conducted in the tissue sectioning laboratory of the department and was attended by a number of faculty members and students from the department. The course was delivered by Dr. Zeinab Abdul Aoun, Dr. Hadeel Maki Habib, and Dr. Shaima Awad Abdul.
An overview of the course topics was provided, which included the stages of preparing plant tissue sections, starting with the collection of plant samples from the environment and their fixation using specific fixatives like FAA (formalin-acetic acid-alcohol) to preserve the integrity of the samples. It also focused on explaining the subsequent steps for preparing tissue sections and addressing common issues researchers may encounter during sectioning.
The course provided a detailed explanation of the preparation of tissue sections through a series of steps to ensure the production of thin sections suitable for microscopic examination. The process begins with the careful collection of plant samples, such as leaves, stems, and roots, from the environment, with an emphasis on selecting healthy, disease-free, and undamaged samples. The next step is fixation, where the samples are immediately fixed upon collection using chemical fixatives such as FAA (a mixture of formalin, acetic acid, and ethanol) or formalin to preserve the tissue structure and prevent degradation or damage. Subsequent steps such as washing, staining, and eventually examining the slides under the microscope were also explained. The slides are examined under a light microscope to study and photograph the tissue structure.
The course saw significant interaction from the attendees, as participants were given the opportunity to ask questions and discuss challenges they face in their research, adding a practical and applied dimension to the course.
This course is part of the ongoing efforts of the Continuing Education Unit and the Department of Biology to enhance the practical and theoretical skills of faculty members and students, providing a specialized training environment that contributes to the development of scientific research and supports academic excellence.
