Polytene Chromosome Squashes

[Denise Storck-schattner]

Hi!  I am a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin - Parkside.  
I have been following this newsgroup for about a month now, and I have 
witnessed how helpful it can be to fellow Drosophila researchers. 

I am wondering if anyone out there knows a good way to chromosome arm 
separation when performing a squash of the salivary chromosomes.  Right 
now, I use a pencil to tap the chromosomes before squashing them firmly 
with my thumbs, but when I view them under the microscope, they are too 
bunched together, and therfore, I cannot see all the bands clearly.  I am 
following Protocol 17 in the Drosophila Laboratory Handbook by 
Ashburner.  Any help or suggestions in this process will be greatly 
appreciated.  Thank you.

Denise Schattner
Biological Sciences Graduate Department
University of Wisconsin - Parkside
PO Box 2000
Kenosha WI  53140
414-595-2707
E-Mail:  storck-s at it.uwp.edu