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Updated: Jul 5, 2026
3D Microtissues for Injectable Regenerative Therapy and High-throughput Drug Screening
Published on: October 4, 2017
Drug testing on 3D in vitro tissues trapped on a microcavity chip
Daniel Kloss1, Michael Fischer, Andrée Rothermel
1Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BBZ), University of Leipzig, Division of Molecular Biological-Biochemical Processing Technology, Deutscher Platz 5, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
Abstract:
Close to realistic responses to anti-cancer drugs are not adequately provided in monolayer or single cells assays. 3-dimensional multicellular cultures (spheroids) mimicking in vivo-like conditions are established as cell biological models for microtumors/metastases. For a non-invasive real-time monitoring of the electrical parameters of such spheroid cultures we designed, fabricated and tested a 3D multifunctional electrode-based microcavity array. In a non-adherent assay acute tests with tumor spheroids were done maintaining their spherical shape and cellular arrangement. The sensor chip with 15 individual square microcavities containing four gold electrodes each was used for impedance spectroscopy to analyze the tissue models in terms of morphological and structural changes. Cell type specific differences in the spectra and varying responses to several anti-tumor drugs were found. Further development of the prototype will provide a promising tool for the use in pharmacological high-throughput studies.
Insights
This study introduces a 3D microcavity array for real-time monitoring of tumor spheroids, offering more realistic anti-cancer drug testing. The novel electrode system analyzes electrical parameters, revealing cell-specific drug responses.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cell Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Monolayer cell cultures lack realistic anti-cancer drug response prediction.
- 3D multicellular cultures (spheroids) serve as improved models for microtumors and metastases.
- Non-invasive, real-time monitoring is crucial for analyzing spheroid behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design, fabricate, and test a 3D multifunctional electrode-based microcavity array.
- To enable non-invasive, real-time monitoring of electrical parameters in spheroid cultures.
- To assess the utility of the array for analyzing morphological and structural changes in tissue models.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a 3D microcavity array with 15 individual square microcavities, each containing four gold electrodes.
- Utilizing impedance spectroscopy for analyzing spheroid tissue models.
- Conducting non-adherent assays with tumor spheroids to maintain their shape and cellular arrangement.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated cell type-specific differences in impedance spectra.
- Observed varying responses of spheroids to several anti-tumor drugs.
- Successfully maintained spheroid integrity and cellular arrangement during testing.
Conclusions:
- The developed 3D microcavity array is a promising tool for non-invasive, real-time monitoring of spheroid cultures.
- The system can differentiate cell types and their responses to anti-cancer drugs.
- Further development could lead to its application in pharmacological high-throughput studies.
