Fig. 2.

The Ar-HA scaffold has an interconnecting porosity, with an average of 100-μm pore size (a). The coral material supports human stem cell adhesion and mitosis (arrow) as soon as 24 h after seeding (b). A larger magnification demonstrates that 24 h after seeding the human stem cells are well attached to the nano-rough surface and deposit a substance on the side opposite to the scaffold (presumably osteoid, arrow) (c). Seven days after seeding, tissue is covering the scaffold and partially filling the pores (d) (environmental scanning electron microscopy of human embryonic palatal mesenchyme (HEPM) cells, seeded at about 15,000 cells per well, were seeded in a 48-well plate on scaffolds. Cells were grown in HEPM growth medium for up to 7 days)