Scaling up from 2D monolayers to complex 3D cell cultures
Using three-dimensional cell cultures is more popular today than ever. Yet as the complexity of cell culture increases – from 2D cell culture, spheroids, 3D models up to organoids – so do the variables. This means you should plan carefully before advancing from 2D to 3D cell culture. Keeping several key factors in mind,…
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3D cancer model
De-skilling 3D tumor models Tissue-engineered 3D cancer models have grown in popularity with recent advances in cancer research. 3D models are more biomimetic than 2D cell monolayers cultured on tissue culture plastic. Examples are spheroids, tumorspheres, organoids, PDX and lately, tumoroids, which differ by origin (cell line or patient-derived), size, the complexity of cellular architecture and tumor environment….
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CSC therapy – towards new opportunities
CSCs as therapeutic targets Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subset of tumor cells that are able to evade anti-tumor defense mechanisms and suppress anti-tumor immune responses by releasing soluble immunosuppressive factors, such as anti-inflammatory cytokines. CSCs appear to have multiple strategies to escape immunological destruction, including the acquisition of genetic and non-genetic alterations that reduce immune recognition,…
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Growing stem cells in space – PromoCell aboard the International Space Station
In March 2020, two researchers at the University of Zurich (UZH) Space Hub, Professor Oliver Ullrich and Dr. Cora Thiel, sent human stem cells to space to determine if they could develop into three-dimensional organoids. Three years later, the results of this and a subsequent experiment demonstrate that culturing stem cells in space is possible,…
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3D skin model: The promise for dermatology
The development of 3D skin models has revolutionized in vitro studies in dermatology, offering a more representative platform for understanding skin structure and function in health and disease. In this article, we explain the biology of the human skin and explore the transformative potential of 3D skin models in reshaping our understanding of skin function….
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Engineering a beating heart: The promise of cardiac spheroids
Innovative cardiac models are key to understanding heart diseases and finding new, potentially life-saving therapies. Bioprinting cardiac spheroids using primary human cells is a significant step toward creating a human beating heart in vitro. This article will explain why….
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Advancements and applications of tumor organoids in cancer research
Organoid models of patient-specific tumors are transforming our understanding of cancer heterogeneity and its implications for personalized medicine.
In this interview with BioTechniques, our experts, Janina Moros, Alexander Trampe and Zinnia Noor, discuss the benefits of tumor organoids, how to establish and culture them and their applications across different areas of cancer biology….
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Extracellular vesicles in cancer therapy
EVs in tumor development Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, play a crucial role in tumor biology. Alongside modulating the tumor microenvironment and contributing to the malignant cascade (angiogenesis, the host immune system response, and metastasis), EVs are involved in chemoresistance. Docetaxel in prostate cancer, for example, may transport mRNA encoding drug-resistant proteins or carry miRNA to recipient cells and trigger the expression of specific target genes….
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Mesenchymal stem cells: why optimizing manufacturing processes is key for a successful application
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the up-and-coming stars of cell therapy. They are able to differentiate, are very adaptable and can reduce inflammation, making them ideal for regenerative medicine approaches. But the demand for MSCs is far greater than supply. Pharmaceutical companies are racing to produce commercial-scale quantities of MSCs while guaranteeing quality standards….
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Invisible attraction: Using magnets to develop drugs in cell cultures
Modern medicines are high-tech products. Developing medicines increasingly includes high throughput screening by fully automated analysis robots. One exciting high throughput approach uses magnetic 3D cell culture – which provides a more realistic model of human tissue than with 2D cell culture.
The later a candidate drops out, the more expensive it is….
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Antibiotics in Cell Culture: Friend or Enemy?
Antibiotics are routinely used in cell cultures to prevent bacterial infections. But there are side effects: Studies show that they impair cell growth and differentiation. With good laboratory practice, the use of antibiotics is unnecessary.
A cell culture is a world of its own. The culture dish contains nutrients within the media that cells need to thrive and prosper….
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Mimicking the body’s largest organ in vitro with 3D skin models
Researchers are increasingly using 3D cell cultures to study the skin’s features. Three-dimensional skin models offer the potential to study various diseases and test compounds in vitro. Dr. Florian Groeber-Becker from the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC in Wurzburg has developed a highly sophisticated skin model.
It is the first thing people see when they look at us….
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