Developing staining protocols for visualization of tissue-engineering scaffolds using micro computed tomography in native wet state
Journal article, 2013

BNC-alginate and silk fibroin tissue-engineering scaffolds were stained with X-ray contrast agents in order to visualize internal microstructure in the native wet state with microcomputed tomography. A successful protocol employing amphiphilic contrast agents (CAs) dissolved in a water-based staining solution was used. The CAs were then fixed to the scaffold by neutralizing their charged functional groups, increasing their hydrophobicity and retention on the scaffold surface in water. While some unresolved issues concerning homogeneous staining and strength of contrast remain, these first successes constitute an important milestone by identifying good contrast agent candidates and staining protocols for longitudinal monitoring of tissue-engineering studies.

alginate

contrast agent

bacterial nanocellulose

silk fibroin

Author

W. Kuo

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich (ETH)

L. Nimeskern

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich (ETH)

Hector Martinez Avila

Polymer Technology

S. Hofmann

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich (ETH)

J. Freedman

Boston University

M. W. Grinstaff

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich (ETH)

R. Muller

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich (ETH)

K. S. Stok

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich (ETH)

Biomedizinische Technik

0013-5585 (ISSN)

Vol. 58 SUPPL.1

Subject Categories

Polymer Technologies

Biomaterials Science

DOI

10.1515/bmt-2013-4273

More information

Latest update

2/11/2022