A Simple Freeze Fracture Technique for Scanning Electron Microscopy of Collagenous Biomaterials

Authors

David L. Christiansen, University of Pennsylvania
George Pins, The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
Frederick H. Silver, The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

Abstract

A simple freeze fracture technique for the ultrastructural analysis of fragile collagenous biomaterials is presented. Following standard methods of preparation and dehydration, fragile biomaterials are fractured with a sharp blade attached to a modified slide hammer. The sliding mass imparts a sudden impact load on the frozen surface of the material , creating a distortion free cleavage plane across the material. More traditional methods including bending and cutting with scissors introduce artifacts indirectly associated with stress concentration produced by bending, and sample compression at the edges with cutting. The impact loading of the sample during fracture results in preservation of edge detail, showing clear structural features up to the surface of the collagenous biomaterial.

Recommended Citation

Christiansen, David L.; Pins, George; and Silver, Frederick H. (1993) "A Simple Freeze Fracture Technique for Scanning Electron Microscopy of Collagenous Biomaterials," Cells and Materials: Vol. 3: No. 2, Article 6.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cellsandmaterials/vol3/iss2/6