title: A comparison of imaging methodologies for 3D tissue engineering.
abstract: Imaging of cells in two dimensions is routinely performed within cell biology and tissue engineering laboratories. When biology moves into three dimensions imaging becomes more challenging, especially when multiple cell types are used. This review compares imaging techniques used regularly in our laboratory in the culture of cells in both two and three dimensions. The techniques reviewed include phase contrast microscopy, fluorescent microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, electron microscopy, and optical coherence tomography. We compare these techniques to the current "gold standard" for imaging three-dimensional tissue engineered constructs, histology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering Materials, Kroto Research Institute, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Louise E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Rod
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Smallwood
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Macneil
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods