For decades, cell-based assays have been performed using 2D culture methods. One limitation of this approach is that cellular gene and protein expression in 2D culture often differs from that exhibited in vivo. To address the many shortcomings of 2D cultures and provide cellular data with greater physiological relevance, a wide range of 3D cell culture technologies have been developed. These include organoids, spheroids, organs-on-chips, and 3D bioprinting.
In this eBook, we explain how organoids and other 3D models can provide more physiologically relevant results than 2D models and highlight some examples of their use, including in tumor invasions assays and for disease modeling and drug screening.