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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

A Robust Method for the Large-Scale Production of Spheroids for High-Content Screening and Analysis Applications
06:40

A Robust Method for the Large-Scale Production of Spheroids for High-Content Screening and Analysis Applications

Published on: December 28, 2021

Quantitative 3D cell-based assay performed with cellular spheroids and fluorescence microscopy.

Nariman Ansari1, Stefanie Müller, Ernst H K Stelzer

  • 1Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Methods in Cell Biology
|January 16, 2013
PubMed
Summary

This study introduces a live cell spheroid assay for drug discovery. It quantifies drug-induced autophagy in glioma spheroids using advanced microscopy, improving assay reliability.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Drug discovery
  • Cancer research

Background:

  • Three-dimensional (3D) cellular spheroids offer more physiologically relevant models than 2D cultures for research and drug development.
  • Cell-based assays are crucial for understanding cellular processes and identifying potential therapeutics.
  • Current spheroid-based assays require optimization for live imaging and quantitative analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a detailed protocol for live cell spheroid-based drug assays.
  • To demonstrate the utility of automated epifluorescence live microscopy for monitoring drug effects on spheroids.
  • To quantify the autophagy-triggering effects of specific drugs on glioma cell spheroids.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a protocol for spheroid preparation, manipulation, and live fluorescence imaging.

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Semi-Automated Phenotypic Analysis of Functional 3D Spheroid Cell Cultures
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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 15, 2026

A Robust Method for the Large-Scale Production of Spheroids for High-Content Screening and Analysis Applications
06:40

A Robust Method for the Large-Scale Production of Spheroids for High-Content Screening and Analysis Applications

Published on: December 28, 2021

Time-Resolved Fluorescence Imaging and Analysis of Cancer Cell Invasion in the 3D Spheroid Model
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Time-Resolved Fluorescence Imaging and Analysis of Cancer Cell Invasion in the 3D Spheroid Model

Published on: January 30, 2021

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06:48

Semi-Automated Phenotypic Analysis of Functional 3D Spheroid Cell Cultures

Published on: August 18, 2023

  • Utilizing automated epifluorescence live microscopy for multi-day monitoring of cellular responses.
  • Employing a mRFP:GFP:LC3 fluorescent reporter to track autophagosome formation and lysosome fusion.

    • Main Results:

    • Successful implementation of a live cell spheroid assay protocol.
    • Quantification of autophagy induction by (-)-Gossypol and Rapamycin in glioma spheroids.
    • Spatio-temporal monitoring of autophagosome dynamics within treated spheroids.

    Conclusions:

    • Live cell spheroid assays provide a more accurate platform for drug screening and efficacy testing.
    • Automated live microscopy enables detailed analysis of drug-induced cellular responses in 3D models.
    • The developed protocol and reporter system are valuable for studying autophagy in cancer drug discovery.