Copyright: © 2025 by the authors. Licensee: Pirogov University.
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METHOD

Preparation and procedure for scanning electron microscopy examination of cells adhered to bioceramic surfaces

Danilko KV , Solntsev VA , Plotnitsky RV , Mikhailova AV , Bilyalov AR , Chugunov SS , Galautdinov MF , Akbashev VN , Akhatov ISh
About authors

Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Russia

For correspondence: Xenia V. Danilko
Lenin St., Bldg. 3, Ufa, 450008, Russia; ur.xednay@oklinad-esk

About paper

Funding: the work was supported by grant No. 23-15-20042 from the Russian Science Foundation. The study utilized the equipment purchased under the "Priority 2030" program.

Author contribution: Danilko KV — study planning, development of study protocols, analysis of results, conducting SEM analysis, manuscript drafting; Solntsev VA, Plotnitsky RV — cell culturing, preparation for SEM; Mikhailova AV — conducting SEM analysis, analysis of results; Bilyalov AR — study planning, literature analysis, interpretation of data, manuscript drafting; Chugunov SS — study planning, literature analysis; Galautdinov MF — data collection, analysis, interpretation; Akbashev VN — literature analysis, manuscript drafting; Akhatov IS — study planning, manuscript editing.

Received: 2025-11-13 Accepted: 2025-12-04 Published online: 2025-12-17
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Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) enables the analysis of surfaces of various materials, including eukaryotic cells. The ability of cells of various body tissues to attach and grow on the surface of implantation materials is an important characteristic of their biocompatibility. SEM visualizes how cells adhere to the surfaces. However, sample preparation for SEM analysis traditionally requires extensive dehydration and the use of toxic osmium tetroxide. This study aimed to optimize the process of preparing animal cells grown on the surface of bioceramic samples for SEM analysis. We propose a new SEM analysis preparation method for mesenchymal stem cells derived from human adipose tissue cultured on the surface of three types of bioceramics. The method includes fixation with aldehyde, alcohol dehydration, staining with Giemsa dye, drying, and gold spraying. We also propose an algorithm for detecting cells attached to the surface of a porous and rough material. This approach accelerates the preparation of cells for SEM analysis and eliminates the need for highly toxic reagents.

Keywords: mesenchymal stem cells, bioceramics, scanning electron microscopy, sample preparation, sputtering

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