Automation for 3D cell culture
Handling of spheroids and organoids
In drug development, 3D cell cultures offer a promising in vitro model that could lead to more efficient and cost-effective development processes in the future. We present an innovative automation solution for 3D cell culture specifically designed for the handling of spheroids and organoids.
Multicellular spheroids (MCSs) and organoids are highly relevant three-dimensional (3D) in vitro model systems that mimic key physiological aspects of human tissues. These models have applications ranging from drug research to personalized medicine. However, their routine and standardized use is still limited due to a lack of technologies for automated, precise and scalable production and handling.
Our platform enables the production, handling and treatment of spheroids with active ingredients in a single device. It is based on a non-contact dispensing system and can individually select spheroids in a patented process and deposit them in a target field in a controlled manner. They can then be treated with various therapeutic agents in different concentrations. This enables standardized spheroid handling on a large scale and in-vitro drug tests on physiologically relevant cell models.
The platform consists of 3 modules
Our advanced platform offers impressive accuracy and versatility to support 3D cell culture research and development. With its innovative features, it is a valuable resource for biomedical research and the development of new therapeutic approaches. The exact functionality of the system is explained in the following video:
Main aspects of our platform
Efficiency of spheroid generation:
- Remarkable spheroid generation efficiency of 99.3%, even with extended processing times of up to 45 minutes
- The coefficient of variation of the spheroid diameter remains below 8%.
Efficient spheroid harvesting:
- Our highly parallelized, centrifugation-based process for spheroid harvesting shows 100 % harvesting efficiency
Introduction of the pick-flow-drop principle for selective handling:
- This novel principle enables the selective handling and precise deposition of cell aggregates such as spheroids and organoids.
- Aspiration efficiencies on the reservoir side reach 98.1 %, and plating rates in relation to the target position are over 95 %.
- Throughput rates of up to 21 aggregates/min are achieved.
Cytocompatibility:
- Our automated deposition process places cell aggregates in a hydrogel that mimics the extracellular matrix.
- Viability and cytotoxicity assays confirm the cytocompatibility of the process and show no adverse effects on the cell aggregates.
We offer
- Customized platforms and automation solutions for 3D cell culture
- Service for separating samples (spheroids/organoids) depending on size or composition
- 3D bioprinting process development for precise positioning of spheroids or organoids as building blocks for regenerative medicine
- Monoclonal cell line development based on a highly efficient single cell dispensing process
