The third dimension bridges the gap between cell culture and live tissue

Pampaloni, Francesco; Reynaud, Emmanuel G.; Stelzer, Ernst H. K.

doi:10.1038/nrm2236

Cited by 2,8173D Printing in Biomedical ResearchCellular Mechanics and InteractionsCell Image Analysis Techniques

The third dimension bridges the gap between cell culture and live tissue

Pampaloni, Francesco, Reynaud, Emmanuel G., Stelzer, Ernst H. K.·2007·Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology

DOI 10.1038/nrm2236

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Abstract

Moving from cell monolayers to three-dimensional (3D) cultures is motivated by the need to work with cellular models that mimic the functions of living tissues. Essential cellular functions that are present in tissues are missed by 'petri dish'-based cell cultures. This limits their potential to predict the cellular responses of real organisms. However, establishing 3D cultures as a mainstream approach requires the development of standard protocols, new cell lines and quantitative analysis methods, which include well-suited three-dimensional imaging techniques. We believe that 3D cultures will have a strong impact on drug screening and will also decrease the use of laboratory animals, for example, in the context of toxicity assays.

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Authors: Pampaloni, F., Reynaud, E. G., & Stelzer, E. H. K.
Affiliations: European Molecular Biology Laboratory (DE)
Corresponding author: Stelzer, Ernst H. K.
ORCID: Pampaloni, Francesco
Reynaud, Emmanuel G.
Stelzer, Ernst H. K.
Venue: Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2007-10
Volume: 8
Issue: 10
Pages: 839-845
ISSN: 1471-0072 (ISSN-L)
1471-0080
DOI: 10.1038/nrm2236
OpenAlex: W2033474014
Cited by: 2,817
References: 4
Citations by year: 2026: 120 · 2025: 155 · 2024: 135 · 2023: 166 · 2022: 183 · 2021: 225 · 2020: 202 · 2019: 189 · 2018: 233 · 2017: 211 · 2016: 225 · 2015: 181 · 2014: 157 · 2013: 150 · 2012: 86
FWCI: 3.07
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
www.springer.com/tdm (vor)
Locations: Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: European Molecular Biology Laboratory
Topics: Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › 3D Printing in Biomedical Research
Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biophysics › Cell Image Analysis Techniques
Keywords: 3D cell culture, cell monolayers, 3D imaging, cell-based drug screening, toxicity assays, animal use reduction, cell lines
MeSH terms: Animals, Cell Adhesion, Cell Movement, Humans, Cell Culture Techniques, Tissue Culture Techniques

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