While traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture has been foundational for in vitro studies, researchers are finding that culturing cells in 3D can better replicate the in vivo microenvironment of tissues and organs, providing a more accurate view of cellular behavior within the body. 3D cell models are increasingly being integrated into research and drug discovery pipelines to bridge the gap between traditional 2D cell cultures and in vivo systems. These models serve as physiologically relevant platforms for more accurate drug screening, target discovery, and personalized medicine approaches.
Scaffold-based and scaffold-free 3D culture are two common approaches used in tissue engineering and cell culture to create 3D cellular models. Scaffold-based 3D culture involves the use of a supportive scaffold material that creates an extracellular matrix-mimicking framework for cells to adhere to, proliferate, and organize into three-dimensional structures. While natural hydrogels like Corning Matrigel® matrix have been the traditional choice, synthetic hydrogels are are an up and coming innovation within the scaffold-based family of products due to their versatility. In contrast, scaffold-free 3D culture encourages cells to self-assemble into 3D structures through cell-cell interactions without the need for external scaffold materials. Hanging drop, Corning Ultra-Low Attachment (ULA) and micropatterned surface cultureware are often used for scaffold-free 3D cell culture.
Corning, a well-established name in cell culture technology, offers an array of natural and synthetic matrices and cultureware that can be used for diverse cell types and 3D cell culture applications in cancer research, toxicology, drug discovery, tissue engineering, personalized medicine and more.