Graduate Student University of Florida Gainesville, Florida
The advent of 3D culture models, such as spheroids and organoids, has revolutionized pharmaceutical research, pushing the boundaries of drug discovery and development. These models provide a platform for recapitulating the intrinsic characteristics and disease-specific features of cancer leading to improved predictability of drug responses. In this session, we present a groundbreaking platform that offers customization and high throughput capabilities for generating tumor spheroids embedded in a collagen microgel matrix. Our platform leverages tunable cell-encapsulated collagen droplets, acting as micro-bioreactors, to optimize the growth of tumor spheroids and enhance cell adhesion within natural architectural structures that mimic the tumor microenvironment. By faithfully replicating the intricate cell interactions with the extracellular matrix, these advanced platforms hold immense potential in accurately predicting drug responses and identifying novel therapeutic targets. This transformative technology opens the opportunity to propel pharmaceutical research and drive innovation in the field.
Learning Objectives:
Discover the versatility of collagen droplets in generating spheroids and organoids at high throughput and future implications for improving drug discovery, toxicity testing, and FDA approval in clinical trials.