Research in tissue engineering, cancer research, stem cells and molecular biology often involves cultures of cells on flat plastic dishes. It has recently become clear that considering biology in just two dimensions (2D) has serious limitations.

Cells cultured in vitro on a traditional plastic flask surface present a non-natural flat shaped morphology. In contrast, cells in their natural in vivo envrionment assume very different morphologies than 2D culture. They are organized spatially with other types of cells within different matrices. Researchers are therefore turning to three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models, that more closely mimic what happens in living organisms. Using 3D culture, they are discovering patterns of gene expression and other cellular activities or responses that are much more similar to the results from in vivo studies.

Please have a look at the QGel cases to find good examples of important differences in the behavior of cells grown in 2D and 3D culture. The essential cell interactions and organization levels occurring within a 3D context demonstrate the severe drawbacks of 2D studies.

Further information about 3D cell culture can be found in the QGel™ Technology brochure and more specific details about the differences in cell growth between 2D and 3D are given in the FAQ What to expect from my cells in QGel matrix compared to other matrices?.