Related Experiment Videos
Culture of organized cell communities
1Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 45 Carleton Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews
|June 6, 2000
Summary
Researchers are creating organized cell communities in vitro using polymer scaffolds. These three-dimensional tissue constructs mimic natural tissues and can be used for transplantation or in vitro testing.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cells cultured in vitro often lose their specialized characteristics.
- Mimicking the in vivo environment is crucial for maintaining cell phenotype.
- Polymer scaffolds and bioreactors offer a promising approach for in vitro cell culture.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define and review the concept of organized cell communities.
- To explore the creation of three-dimensional in vitro cell-polymer constructs.
- To highlight their potential applications in tissue engineering and research.
Main Methods:
- Culturing cells on polymer scaffolds within tissue culture bioreactors.
- Developing three-dimensional cell-polymer constructs.
- Reviewing studies focused on specific tissue types (cartilage, bone, muscle, cardiac).
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that organized cell communities can be successfully cultured in vitro.
- Showcased constructs that exhibit structural and functional similarities to native tissues.
- Highlighted the versatility of these constructs for various tissue types.
Conclusions:
- Organized cell communities represent functional tissue equivalents.
- These constructs serve as valuable models for in vitro testing and research.
- The approach holds significant potential for regenerative medicine and drug discovery.