Adapted Cryosectioning Method for Hydrogels Used in Regenerative Medicine

Abstract

Hydrogels are very useful and commonly used as scaffolds for soft-tissue engineering; however, they are difficult to process with routine cryosectioning because of their fragile mechanical properties and high water content. In this study, water entrapped inside the collagen gels and alginate beads was replaced with ascending concentrations of freezing medium. All samples were sectioned and evaluated with different stains and fixing methods. The results of histological analysis indicate this adapted infiltration method can enhance the quality of cryosections. (The J Histotechnol 30:185, 2007)

Submitted July 27, 2007; accepted with revisions August 6, 2007

Keywords:

• alginate
• collagen gel
• cryosection
• hydrogel
• OCT®
• regenerative medicine
• scaffold
• tissue engineering