A specimen carrier, storage disc system for scanning electron microscopy (SEM): evaluation of stainless steel as a substratum for cell culture in vitro

A method of sample preparation for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies based on the use of stainless steel discs as a cell culture substratum is described in detail. A number of different cell lines were grown on stainless steel, and the growth patterns and biocompatibility of cells cultured on stainless steel were compared to identical cells cultured on aluminium, glass and plastic substrata. Stainless steel provides cells with an excellent growth surface which allows these cells to retain their normal growth characteristics and appearance. The non-toxic stainless steel discs can be manipulated through any combination of fixatives and organic solvents. The discs have been incorporated into a versatile system of sample preparation for SEM.