Investigation of living cell cultures with environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM)

Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM) offers the advantage of visualisation of biological samples in their native hydrated state without preparation. Beside this advantage, ESEM gives also the possibility to observe drying and wetting of surfaces directly. In order to describe grow processes in cell cultures used for tissue engineering, investigations of settlement and interaction on different substrates as well as morphological changes are of interest. Indubitable, the stress of the living cells during observation has to be minimized. Forth is purpose, a special designed habitat chamber was developed. With this chamber which can be described as a miniaturised bioreactor, we are able to hold living cells under atmospheric pressure and different fluids.