title: Micro-engineered 3D scaffolds for cell culture studies.
abstract: Cells in physiological 3D environments differ considerably in morphology and differentiation from those in 2D tissue culture. Naturally derived polymer systems are frequently used to study cells in 3D. These 3D matrices are complex with respect to their chemical composition, mechanical properties, and geometry. Therefore, there is a demand for well-defined 3D scaffolds to systematically investigate cell behavior in 3D. Here, fabrication techniques, materials, architectures, biochemical functionalizations, and mechanical properties of 3D scaffolds are discussed. In particular, work focusing on single cells and small cell assemblies grown in tailored synthetic 3D scaffolds fabricated by computer-based techniques are reviewed and the influence of these environments on cell behavior is evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Neurobiology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Haid-und-Neu-Strasse 9, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexandra M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Greiner
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bastmeyer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013499:Surface Properties; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers