Scaffolds were fixed in 10% formalin acetate overnight at 4°C, washed 2x with water, soaked overnight in OCT compound, frozen, and sectioned at 5 µm. Cell distribution throughout the scaffold was visualized using a DAPI nuclear stain (D1306, Invitrogen).
Pore architecture and protein adsorption to the pore surface were visualized with scanning electron microscopy.9 (link),18 (link) Scaffolds were fixed in freshly prepared Karnovsky’s fixative solution overnight at 4°C, washed 2x with water, bisected, and dehydrated in increasing concentrations of ethanol. Following dehydration, samples were critical point dried (Supercritical AutoSamdri-931, Tousimis Research Corp, Rockville, MD), fixed to stubs with silver paste, sputter coated with gold (Pelco SC-7 Auto Sputter Coater), and imaged using a scanning electron microscope (Quattro ESEM, Thermo Fisher, Newington, NH).
Pore architecture and protein adsorption to the pore surface were visualized with scanning electron microscopy.9 (link),18 (link) Scaffolds were fixed in freshly prepared Karnovsky’s fixative solution overnight at 4°C, washed 2x with water, bisected, and dehydrated in increasing concentrations of ethanol. Following dehydration, samples were critical point dried (Supercritical AutoSamdri-931, Tousimis Research Corp, Rockville, MD), fixed to stubs with silver paste, sputter coated with gold (Pelco SC-7 Auto Sputter Coater), and imaged using a scanning electron microscope (Quattro ESEM, Thermo Fisher, Newington, NH).
