When it comes to mimicking human disease, traditional 2D cell culture and animal models are often inadequate and limited in their physiological relevance. Cells grown in 3D more closely mimic in vivo behavior in tissues and organs. In recent years, three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models have been emerging as the preferred in vitro cancer model as they better mimic the in vivo tumor microenvironment. For instance, 3D cultures develop hypoxic cores and demonstrate gradients of soluble factors and a diffusion profile for drugs similar to solid tumors. There have been also several recently established disease models involving human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived 3D organoid culture systems. These systems also enable the use of patient-derived cells to generate models that provide valuable insight into the mechanism and progression of many diseases. Understanding the interactions between cancer cells and other cell types in the tumor microenvironment is also critical to predicting therapeutic efficacy.

This seminar will discuss the following topics:

  • An introduction to 3D cell culture.
  • Benefits of 3D versus traditional cell culture technologies as disease models.
  • Assay techniques in spheroid microplates.
  • Example of 3D cancer models and technology tools used to better capture the complexity of the tumor
    microenvironment in assay-compatible formats.
  • Use of hiPSC-derived 3D organoid and/or permeable support culture systems to create disease-specific
    tissue/organ models e.g. brain, liver, pancreas, intestinal, lung, skin, retina.

November 11th | 12:00 
CNIO - Sala de seminarios 3ª planta

Para el registro envíenos un email indicándonos nombre, apellidos y grupo de investigación a jcastillo@cultek.com