Capturing the third dimension in drug discovery: Spatially-resolved tools for interrogation of complex 3D cell models

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Cell Biology
• Genomics

Background:

• Three-dimensional (3D) cell models mimic tissue architecture and microenvironments, offering greater physiological relevance than traditional 2D cultures.
• These models are crucial for understanding human development, disease mechanisms, and advancing drug discovery.
• Conventional analytical methods struggle to characterize the complex spatial information within 3D cell models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent technological advancements for interrogating multicellular 3D models.
• To highlight methods that preserve spatial information within these complex biological structures.
• To discuss the integration of various analytical techniques for comprehensive 3D model analysis.

Main Methods:

• Focus on imaging technologies for visualizing 3D cell structures.
• Review of omics tools, including transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, applied to 3D models.
• Discussion of techniques that retain spatial resolution during analysis.

Main Results:

• Emerging technologies enable detailed interrogation of 3D cell models.
• Spatially-resolved omics and imaging provide unprecedented biological insights.
• Integration of multiple data types enhances understanding of complex biological systems.

Conclusions:

• Novel spatially-resolved technologies are essential for characterizing advanced 3D cell models.
• Combining imaging and omics approaches offers powerful opportunities for biological discovery.
• These advancements are poised to significantly impact drug discovery and disease research.