Embedding Cultured Cells in Matrigel for Staining

Adherent cells normally are prepared for cell staining by growing on a suitable support. Suspension cells can be fixed directly or can be attached to a solid support by centrifugation, chemical cross-linking, or simple dehydration. An alternative approach for cells grown in culture is to prepare a fixed cell pellet that is embedded in a scaffold, such as Matrigel, and then processed, embedded in paraffin, and stained in a manner identical to formalin-fixed tissue specimens.