Automated Cell Dispensing And Image-Based Spheroid Formation Tracking

Scientists using cell culture for drug discovery, toxicology, stem cell biology, and basic research realize the critical importance of 3-dimensional (3D) models. Data from cells cultured in a nonphysiologic, monolayer format on plastic surfaces has long been suspected to differ from true in vivo physiology, and evidence supporting how this difference is slowing the pace of scientific discovery is mounting. Much of a candidate drug’s early discovery and screening is performed using 2-dimensional (2D) cell monolayers that clearly do not recapitulate the 3D complexity seen within the human body. The most cost effective solution is to obtain better targets and initial toxicological results using relevant cell culture models.

In the past, there were few affordable, reliable choices for 3D culture and almost none that were amenable to high throughput screening. Spheroids, self-assembled microscale cell aggregates, are superior models of avascular in vivo microtumors. Using hanging drop plate (HDP) technology, a drop of cell suspension is pipetted into the top of each well. The cell suspension forms a stable drop below where the cells aggregate into spheroids.