2025 Corning 3D Cell Culture Summit

Coming to a city near you.

Coming to a city near you.

Researchers are increasingly turning to 3D cell cultures for a more physiologically relevant view of drug candidates potential for success and a more predictive understanding of drug effects in the body. Join us at one of four 3D Summit events coming this Fall for a day filled with lively and educational discussions on the latest developments in 3D models, and hear from thought leaders and innovators from top academic and industry organizations.

Summit Objectives

  • Gather leading researchers to discuss their 3D applications as well as novel and advanced models with Corning products.
  • Introduce new users to best practices and novel techniques to get started in 3D cell culture.
  • Networking and discussions among industry leaders on 3D workflow optimization and new ideas.

Register now

Seating is limited. We will send you reminders and updates on speakers, agenda, and other fun stuff that we will be adding to our event. More to come!

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Agenda

Toronto Speakers

Sachin Katyal, Ph.D.

University of Manitoba

 

Presentation: Inhibition of the Cellular Base Excision Repair Pathway (BER) Counteracts Temozolomide (TMZ)-Resistant Glioblastoma (GBM)

 

Abstract: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and malignant brain tumour in adults. Despite the standard of care treatment of surgery, radiation therapy and Temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy, GBM frequently recurs in a drug-resistant form. Inhibition of the hyperactive Base Excision Repair (BER) pathway, with existing or newly developed inhibitors, may be a way to resensitize resistant GBM to the DNA alkylation damage of TMZ. Patient-derived Brain Tumor Initiating Cells (BTICs) were used as our GBM model. BTICs were cultured and treated with increasing concentrations of Temozolomide (TMZ) alone or in combination with various inhibitors targeting the Base Excision Repair (BER) pathway. DNA damage was assessed using our novel high-throughput alkaline 3-D comet assay, while self-renewal and proliferation capacities were evaluated through sphere formation, cell viability, and serial-replating assays. Using these patient-derived 3-D culture model system, our study suggests that targeting the BER repair pathway can effectively re-sensitize TMZ-resistant BTICs, which provides a promising strategy to overcome therapeutics resistance in GBM. Corning products used: Corning Spheroid Microplates, Corning/Costar Ultra-Low Attachment Culture Dishes and microplates, Corning 96-well Black Round Bottom Polystyrene Ultra-Low Attachment Microplate

Dr. Charles Amirmansour

Agilent Technologies

 

Presentation: Function + Structure + Mechanism: Quantitative 3D Biology on a Hybrid Imaging Multimode Reader Platform

 

Abstract: 3D biological models demand depth-resolved imaging, kinetic live-cell control, and robust quantification – without sacrificing throughput. This seminar presents a multidisciplinary workflow on a single hybrid platform that unites multimode microplate detection with widefield and spinning-disk confocal imaging, environmental control, and automation. We show how the technological innovation offered by the Agilent BioTek Cytation platform and Gen5 quantitative metrics enable end-to-end 3D studies across spheroids, organoids, immune co-cultures, and related preparations. We begin with the optical and hardware advances that make thick biology tractable, then pair them with practical automation for stable, long-term assays. Case studies include NK- and T-cell cytotoxicity against 3D tumoroids with z-stacked apoptosis/necrosis quantification; label-free tumour invasion in Matrigel, high-throughput cell migration (Oris), and 3D-bioprinted spheroids; confocal enumeration of spheroid cell number/viability and organ-on-a-chip intestinal tubules; autophagy/mitochondrial puncta analysis, calcium-flux kinetics, plaque assays, and whole-mount zebrafish and retinal vasculature imaging. Attendees will leave with transferable, plate-centric methods for 3D biology that couple functional readouts with structural context – accelerating discovery by moving seamlessly from mechanism to phenotype on a single, scalable platform.

Houston Speakers

San Diego Speakers

Maya Gosztyla

Brainstorm Therapeutics

 

Presentation: Transforming CNS Drug Discovery: An AI-powered Human Brain Organoid Platform for Precision Medicine

 

Abstract: BrainStorm Therapeutics is transforming neurotherapeutic discovery by harnessing patient-derived brain organoids to model complex neurological diseases with unprecedented accuracy. Traditional animal and cell models often fail to capture the intricacies of human brain biology, limiting therapeutic success. Our platform generates 3D brain organoids from patient iPSCs that faithfully recapitulate disease-relevant cell types, neural circuits, and phenotypes, including dopaminergic neuron loss and lipid metabolism defects seen in Parkinson’s disease. These models serve as a foundation for high-content screening, transcriptomic profiling, and functional analysis, enabling us to uncover both generalizable and mutation-specific disease mechanisms. By layering in AI tools trained on multimodal biological data, we enhance our ability to map dysregulated pathways and prioritize therapeutic targets. Our “clinical trial in a dish” approach supports more predictive and patient-relevant drug testing, reducing cost and risk in early-stage R&D. We are extending this organoid-based platform to additional brain disorders like Rett Syndrome and CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder, with the goal of delivering precision treatments rooted in human biology. Corning products: Spheroid microplates, various TC-treated or ULA plates, Corning® Matrigel® matrix.

Maedeh Mozneb

Cedars Sinai Medical Center

 

Presentation: Advancing Cardiovascular and Space Biosciences Using iPSC-derived Cardiac Spheroids and Organoids in 3D Culture Systems

 

Abstract: At the Sharma Lab (Cedars-Sinai), we leverage 3D spheroid and organoid models to investigate human cardiac development, drug-induced cardiotoxicity, and stem cell differentiation under terrestrial and microgravity conditions. Our in-house generated cardiac organoids and spheroids, comprising iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells, serve as robust models for developmental studies and high-sensitivity cardiotoxicity screening. Using agents such as doxorubicin and its less toxic analog, Spedox, we have demonstrated the reproducibility and responsiveness of our models in U-bottom, low-adhesion plates and recently transitioned to Corning’s® Elplasia® plates for improved uniformity and scalability. In collaboration with vascular biology teams, we are also exploring the fusion of separately patterned cardiac and endothelial spheroids to model vascularization dynamics. Further, our lab integrates space biosciences by sending cardiac and neural spheroids into orbit to study iPSC differentiation, vascularization, and functional maturation in microgravity. These high-throughput spaceflight investigations rely on robust ground controls prepared in Corning 3D culture systems, which have proven essential for consistency and translational insight. This talk will highlight our methodologies, key findings, and the pivotal role of Corning’s 3D platforms in enabling both Earth-based and space-based tissue engineering research.