Open AccessCentrifugal Generation of Droplet-Based 3D Cell Cultures
Author(s) -
Jacqueline A. De Lora,
Jason L Velasquez,
Nick J. Carroll,
James P. Freyer,
Andrew P. Shreve
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
slas technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2472-6311
pISSN - 2472-6303
DOI - 10.1177/2472630320915837
Subject(s) - centrifuge , bioreactor , microsphere , suspension (topology) , suspension culture , 3d cell culture , microfluidics , materials science , nanotechnology , construct (python library) , cell culture , computer science , cell , chemistry , chemical engineering , engineering , physics , biology , mathematics , biochemistry , organic chemistry , homotopy , nuclear physics , pure mathematics , genetics , programming language
Quickly and easily producing uniform populations of microsphere-based 3D cell cultures using droplet-based templating methods has the potential to enable widespread use of such platforms in drug discovery or cancer research. Here, we advance the design of centrifuge-based droplet generation devices, describe the use of this platform for droplet generation with controlled cell occupancy, and demonstrate weeklong culture duration. Using simple-to-construct devices and easily implemented protocols, the initial concentration of encapsulated cells is adjustable up to hundreds of cells per microsphere. This work demonstrates the first instance of using centrifugal droplet-generating devices to produce large numbers of cell-encapsulating microspheres. Applications of this versatile methodology include the rapid formation of templated 3D cell culture populations suitable for suspension culture or large batch bioreactor studies that require uniform populations.