A method for preparing a three-dimensional polymer scaffold (3D-PS) for use in tissue-engineering, the method including the subsequent steps of: providing a polymeric precursor scaffold (p-PS) having at least one biodegradable natural polymer (PA); treating the polymeric precursor scaffold (p-PS) with a cross-linking agent having glutaraldehyde to induce cross-linking of the natural polymer (PA), thereby forming a cross-linked polymer scaffold (x-PS) and subjecting the cross-linked polymer scaffold (x-PS) of step b) to low-pressure plasma treatment involving exposure of the polymer scaffold to an ionized oxygen-containing gas plasma at a pressure in the range of 10−3 to 10−6 bar and a temperature below 40° C.