CYTOO’s 3D cell culture system on micropatterns allows the user to grow hundreds of identical acini in microplate format, facilitating the identification and quantification of even rare phenotypes. Individual cells are cultured on top of adhesive micropatterns that replace the hydrogel undercoating. After several days in culture, acini are formed that recapitulate all the hallmarks of epithelial morphogenesis – polarity, growth arrest and lumen formation. The micropatterned acini are assembled at predefined x-y intervals in the well and along the same z axis speeding up live and high throughput imaging. Compatible with short and long term assays (0 to >21 days) readouts can include proliferation, apoptosis and disruption of acini formation such as filling of the lumen, presence of multiple lumens and loss of apical polarity, one of the earliest signs of malignant transformation.

1. From 2D+ to 3D+
Micropatterned Acini Array
CYTOO’s 3D cell culture system on micropatterns allows the user to grow hundreds of identical acini in microplate
format, facilitating the identification and quantification of even rare phenotypes. Individual cells are cultured
on top of adhesive micropatterns that replace the hydrogel undercoating. After several days in culture, acini
are formed that recapitulate all the hallmarks of epithelial morphogenesis – polarity, growth arrest and lumen
formation. The micropatterned acini are assembled at predefined x-y intervals in the well and along the same
z axis speeding up live and high throughput imaging. Compatible with short and long term assays (0 to >21
days) readouts can include proliferation, apoptosis and disruption of acini formation such as filling of the lumen,
presence of multiple lumens and loss of apical polarity, one of the earliest signs of malignant transformation.
Find out more: www.CYTOO.com
Serial confocal cross sections covering 25 microns through a micropatterned 3 day old MDCK
acini showing polarized apical membrane (red) and nuclei (white)
Normal phenotype
Applications of the Acini Array
High throughput screening of drugs, environmental agents
Tumor
and chemicals prior to in vivo studies. Cell sensitivity in 3D culture
phenotype is significantly different from cells in conventional 2D culture because
3D architecture exerts strong effects on drug efficacy.
Validate drug targets and candidate compounds in a
polarized 3D context (Mao et al, Am J Physiol Renal Physiol, 2011)
Inverted
phenotype
Investigate the impact of gene mutations in diseases such as
polycystic kidney disease or nephronophthisis
Model the effect of oncogenes, tumor supressors and
obtain tumor-like phenotypes that occur during cancer initiation
(Leung and Brugge, Nature, 2012)
Multilumen
phenotype
Study pathways involved in lumenogenesis starting from the
2-cell stage (Rodriguez-Fraticelli et al, J Cell Biol, 2012)
Contact us to discuss your application: www.CYTOO.com/contact
CYTOO Cell Architects CYTOO Inc
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