How 3D Cultures Better Mimic In Vivo Conditions In The Field

Having helped scientists develop penicillin, cancer treatments, and many more medical marvels, the traditional 2D cell culture is still used as a primary experimental tool all across the world.

The validity of the 2D model, however, is diminished by the totally flat growth medium and the dearth of cell and tissue types present in it. Without an accurate array of cell types nearby and without cells of their type packed around them, cells simply don't develop the way they would in vivo.

The quest to create better and more accurate representations of organs and organisms led to major developments of newer and better forms of cell and tissue cultures — namely 3D cell cultures. Here, we look into how 3D cultures better mimic in vivo conditions because they provide cells the physical environment they need to interact naturally.