2.4.4. Cell Morphology

Samples for SEM analysis were withdrawn from culture after 3 days incubation. For cell adhesion and proliferation studies, before fixing with 3% glutaraldehyde solution, cell-seeded substrates were washed with PBS thrice to confiscate any separated cells. The samples were cleaned again with PBS after 30 min, then kept at 4 ◦C. After cell fixation, the substrates were dehydrated in a series of ethanol solutions at varying concentrations from 30% to 100% for 15 min each. 1 mL of hexamethyldisilane (HMDS) was added on each sample and left to dry for 2 days. Prior to SEM image analysis, all the samples were gold coated for 20 s.
