This technology is a self-organizing 3D spheroid co-culture platform that utilizes commercially available materials for cancer biology and drug development applications.
3D cell co-culture platforms are a powerful research tool that bridge the complexities of animal models with relatively easy-to-use but non-physiological cell culture models. These platforms are capable of modeling complex processes in cancer biology, including tumor invasion and interactions between tumor and the microenvironment, and can be utilized in drug screening applications. Current methods to develop co-culture models require significant expenses, including proprietary equipment or complex genetic manipulations that limit the accessibility of these platforms. In view of this, a cost-effective method to develop a 3D co-culture model could greatly enhance the reach and applicability of this model.
This technology is a platform to develop a 3D spheroid cell co-culture model with controllable spatial organization. This platform utilizes commercially-available materials and reagents to generate heterogeneous multicellular spheroids. Formation and self-organization of spheroids into heterogeneous cell layers are controlled through the use of commercially-available, reversible cell contractility inhibitors. This platform is able to mimic complex tumor-tissue interactions and can be adapted for a wide range of cell types, including patient-derived materials. As such, this technology may be broadly applicable for drug development or cancer biology research.
This technology has been validated in breast cancer cell lines.
Patent Pending
IR CU20198
Licensing Contact: Beth Kauderer