Transmission electron microscopy can be used to study the surface of a sample - and generally a higher resolution than a scanning electron microscope - so they can be single macromolecules . As for the scanning electron microscopy on the dried film shows fine evaporates heavy metal such as platinum . The metal is vaporized at an oblique angle so that a layer in some places is thicker than in other forms - a process known as shading because a shadow effect which gives an image with three-dimensional appearance is created .

Some samples in this way are covered sufficiently fine or small enough that the electron beam entering them directly , this is the case of molecules , viruses and cell walls.

Some samples in this way are covered sufficiently fine or small enough that the electron beam entering them directly , this is the case of molecules , viruses and cell walls.

I do not know if this can help you

Many thanks for your response Dr Rivero. The answer certainly helps when I come to characterize the matrix. But I am having trouble in actually obtaining the matrix deposited by a cell monolayer. Most studies have reported excellent decellularization results from a tissue. The same methods appear to be rather harsh on a monolayer of cells. But your suggestion would certainly help characterize the matrix.

Do sequential washes with deoxycholate and triton. There should be plenty of published protocols on deoxycholate (DOC)-extracted matrices. Good luck!

Thanks Dr Orr. Much helpful knowing where to look.

Hi Vijay, the process is indeed a tedious one. I would suggest you to try EDTA or any other Zwitter ion detergent (as they are mild) in a range of concentrations. I would start with as low as 0.01% upto 0.2% and then see which one works best. Good luck.

Thanks to all for your suggestions. The deoxycholate technique didnt work for our purposes, as it solubilized matrix proteins. But, we used NH4OH to decellularize and this method is now published in http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ab500060r