Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 30, 2026

Production of Large Numbers of Size-controlled Tumor Spheroids Using Microwell Plates
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Published on: November 18, 2013

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Preparation and characterization of size-controlled glioma spheroids using agarose hydrogel microwells

Fereshtehsadat Mirab1, You Jung Kang2, Sheereen Majd1

  • 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States of America.

Plos One
|January 25, 2019
PubMed

Insights

This study developed size-controlled U251 glioma spheroids using microwells for realistic glioblastoma drug testing. These in vitro models mimic tumor growth and are effective for evaluating anti-cancer drug efficacy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Biotechnology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Glioblastoma treatment is challenging, necessitating realistic in vitro models for drug development.
  • In vitro spheroid models offer a platform to mimic in vivo tumor behavior and assess drug efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To produce and characterize size-controlled U251 glioma spheroids.
  • To apply these spheroids for evaluating drug efficacy in glioma treatment studies.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of agarose hydrogel microwells with varying diameters (70-700 μm).
  • Glioma spheroid formation within microwells without surface modification.
  • Characterization of spheroid size, shape, viability, and growth rate.

Main Results:

  • Homogeneous U251 glioma spheroids were produced with high cell viability (>90%).
  • Spheroid size was controlled by cell seeding density and microwell size, mimicking natural tumor growth rates.
  • The model demonstrated applicability for testing the anti-cancer drug Dp44mT.

Conclusions:

  • Size-controlled glioma spheroids can be reliably generated using agarose microwells.
  • This in vitro model serves as a valuable tool for glioblastoma drug evaluation studies.

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