Bio-Blocks versus 2D Cell Culture

Bio-Blocks versus 2D Cell Culture

2D cell culture involves growing cells on a flat plastic surface, which limits their behavior and interactions because they are grown on a single plane instead of three-dimensionally like they do in the body. Moreover, when cells cover the entire plastic surface, they must be removed, divided, and re-plated in fresh cell culture vessels. This process is known as sub-culturing and causes cells to eventually wear out and stop dividing, losing their physical attributes and functions. It’s not how cells grow in the human body.

To overcome these limitations, Bio-Blocks were created, including the T-Block, a cubed-shaped hydrogel with microchannels that allow cells, like ASCs, to grow and interact with each other in 3D, as they would if they were growing inside the human body. Cells inside Bio-Blocks form complex structures and communicate with each other without needing to be sub-cultured. When the cells have covered a sufficient surface area of the channels, a second Bio-Block is attached, and the cells continue spreading and proliferating without needing to be detached. Oxygen and nutrient transport is uninhibited, allowing the cells inside the Bio-Blocks to grow healthily regardless of their location.

Matrigel is another technique used in cell culture. It involves dispensing small volumes of chilled liquid Matrigel onto plastic tissue culture labware, which solidifies at body temperature, producing a recombinant basement membrane that covers the labware’s surface. Cells cultured on Matrigel can exhibit complex behavior, such as the creation of intricate spiderweb-like networks by endothelial cells, which are highly suggestive of microvascular capillary systems that suffuse living tissues with blood.

In summary, traditional cell culture limits cells’ behavior and interactions, and sub-culturing can cause cells to lose their functions. Bio-Blocks, including the T-Block, allow cells to grow and interact in 3D, forming complex structures and communicating without needing sub-culturing. Matrigel can help observe complex cellular behavior that is difficult to observe under laboratory conditions.

Learn more at: Traditional Cell Culture

Or at: Our Technology

Traditional 2D cell culture is tedious, labor intensive, and less effective.

Bio-Blocks are an amazing alternative to 2D cell culture because they enhance the health of the cells and remove the need to subculture.