3D Modeling

Start culturing and analyzing organoids and spheroids today

As we look to the future of innovation in biology and science, creating more physiologically relevant models through  the study of organoids and spheroids is an area in which more help is needed, according to many researchers.

Therefore, we’ve compiled a collection of tested products, protocols, and seminal publications that should help you accelerate the development of realistic cellular models. These three-dimensional (3D) models not only mimic cell functions, but allow for more robust testing of compounds and produce more representative analysis.  

With help from our application notes, protocols, publications, and recommended selection guide, learn how to start culturing organoids and spheroids today

In-lab observations

Laura Broutier, The Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge

“I am really interested in how we can use organoids to model tumor pathology. So far, we are only using 2D cell lines and animal models; but now, thanks to the organoid technology published (notably in prostate cancer, colon cancer, and pancreatic cancer research areas), we have a better input in this pathology. Now we can maintain the cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix interactions and improve our work on the response of drugs.”  

See Laura's story and the stories of other researchers successfully employing organoids in their research.

Laura Broutier

Access free 3D educational course

Discover our free eLearning module, which provides a historical overview and basic information about current 3D culture models—including spheroids and organoids—that simulate organ physiology and disease.

This course will introduce the important features of 3D culture models and current applications and limitations of these model systems.

Access the 3D eLearning course

What products should I use to culture 3D models?

As the most cited products in peer-reviewed papers about organoids and spheroids, Gibco media, supplements, and matrices are widely used in the growth, differentiation, and maturation of cellular 3D models. This is where a culture system can be developed to suit specialized cell types like stem cells or cancer cell lines.

Along with Thermo Scientific instruments and plastics and Invitrogen analysis reagents, Gibco cell culture products will help you to begin culturing with confidence today.

Explore our portfolio of products for 3D cell culture

3D model

Historical highlights of research on 3D models

1957 At the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, American developmental biologist Aron Moscona showed that dissociated cells cultured together created aggregates—3D structures.

1970s  Robert Sutherland and his colleagues at the University of Western Ontario in Canada coined the term “spheroids” for the structures that Moscona described.

1980 A team led by Mina Bissell at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory published a paper highlighting the importance of the extracellular matrix.

2008 Yoshiki Sasai and his team at RIKEN  (research institute) demonstrated that stem cells can be coaxed into balls of neural cells that self-organize into distinctive layers.

Today Nature Methods names organoids as the 2017 Method of the Year, marking a significant increase in research publications over the last decade.

Share
 

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.