3D cell culture: a realistic and reproducible collagen-based environment

In drug discovery and many other areas of research, cell culture using primary cells of human or animal origin is often desirable, or even essential. TAP Biosystems has developed a novel 3D cell culture technique, RAFT (Real Architecture for 3D Tissue), which uses the most abundant matrix protein in the body: type I collagen. 

This technology allows researchers to culture cell types of their choice, including primary cells, in an in vivo like environment that is essentially a hydrogel with tissue-like properties. Uniquely, the RAFT process increases the collagen concentration to physiological levels rapidly and reproducibly, while maintaining high cell viability. 

Tecan and TAP Biosystems have developed an automated process for the preparation of RAFT cell cultures, aiding mixing procedures and enhancing reproducibility while maintaining excellent cell viability and reliability. Implementation on the Freedom EVO system, with its modular automation capabilities, increases experimental versatility and analytical flexibility. 

This application note presents cell viability and proliferation data for primary neonatal human dermal fibroblasts (Life Technologies) obtained over an 11-day culture period after seeding.