Ready to go 3D? A semi-automated protocol for microwell spheroid arrays to increase scalability and throughput of 3D cell culture testing

Research Overview

3D cultures are more physiologically relevant than monolayers, but adoption is limited by requirements for special consumables, equipment, or skills, and by constrained throughput and scalability. This study optimized and adapted a commercially available agarose micro-molding technique to produce scaffold-free spheroid cultures within reach of ordinary labs.

Brightfield microscopy was used for routine, nondestructive, noninvasive evaluation of spheroid formation and growth, and the workflow was designed to be compatible with both manual and semi-automated handling — lowering the practical barrier to switching from 2D to 3D.