Polymer-based platforms for 3D cell culture

Cells cultured as a two-dimensional monolayer fail to recapitulate the cell-cell interactions and three-dimensional cellular arrangement seen within the body. As a result, they are often incapable of accurately predicting responses to experimental therapeutics in the laboratory.
To overcome some of the limitations of currently used 2D and 3D cell cultures, the Menon Lab has developed collagen-coated porous polymeric microspheres by a controlled pore formation method, to provide a temporary degradable substrate for 3D cell culture.

More recently, we have also developed thermoresponsive microwell arrays using both casting molds and digital light processing (DLP) printing methods, for the high-throughput generation of multicellular 3D cell aggregates (spheroids), which can then be used for assessing cellular responses to therapies.

Selected Publications

Development and characterization of a novel poly (N-isopropylacrylamide)-based thermoresponsive photoink and its applications in DLP bioprinting
Perera KD, Boiani SM, Vasta AK, Messenger KJ, Delva S, Menon JU*. Journal of Materials Chemistry B 2024 [DOI]