Understanding
3D In Vitro Models
3D in vitro models offer ethical, human-relevant alternatives to traditional methods, improving translational accuracy across drug development, toxicology, regenerative medicine, and more. BICO supports this evolution with cutting-edge technologies and expertise: from bioprinting and biomaterials to imaging, dispensing, and automation, empowering researchers throughout the entire workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are 3D in vitro models?
3D in vitro models are lab-grown biological structures that mimic human tissues more accurately than traditional 2D cultures. By combining multiple cell types in a 3D environment, they enable predictive disease modeling, drug testing, and toxicity screening, reducing reliance on animal models and improving translational outcomes across biomedical research.
Why are 3D in vitro models important?
3D models are important because they better replicate human biology, enabling more accurate predictions of drug responses and disease behavior. They help researchers study complex biological processes, reduce reliance on animal testing, and support innovations in personalized medicine, regenerative therapies, and drug development.
What's included in BICO's 3D In Vitro Models offering?
BICO delivers a complete suite of tools for 3D cell culture, including versatile bioinks and hydrogels, high-precision bioprinters, and advanced imaging systems. Automation tools like C.WASH by CYTENA, I.DOT by DISPENDIX, and spheroONE by Cellenion streamline workflows for reproducible, high-throughput research.
What role do hydrogels and biomaterials play in 3D modeling?
Hydrogels and biomaterials, such as bioinks, are essential for creating physiologically relevant 3D in vitro models. They provide a supportive matrix that mimics the extracellular environment, enabling cells to grow, interact, and behave more naturally, facilitating complex biological processes crucial for disease modeling, drug discovery and regenerative medicine.
Can 3D in vitro models replace animal testing?
3D in vitro models offer a promising, human-relevant alternative by replicating complex biological processes and enabling patient-specific research. While not yet a complete replacement, they significantly reduce reliance on animal models. Regulatory agencies are increasingly de-emphasizing animal testing, opening the door for more ethical, translatable, and efficient in vitro approaches.
How we support 3D in vitro models
We provide ready-made hydrogels, biomaterials, and instruments to support research teams in the automation of both simple and complex 3D in vitro models, as well as analysis through live-cell imaging. From single-spheroid isolation to the creation of larger multi-cellular constructs, 3D in vitro models made with our instruments support all key sub-applications.
Flexible 3D bioprinters for simple and complex 3D models
BICO offers the leading 3D bioprinter portfolio through CELLINK, with light- and extrusion-based bioprinting technologies. These enable the fabrication of both simple and complex 3D models, and can adapt to researchers’ target tissues and applications.
High-precision dispensing, sorting and isolation of single spheroids and organoids
With Cellenion’s spheroONE, BICO is enabling advanced 3D cell model handling. Using our precise dispensing technology combined with advanced, image-based sorting, spheroOne is the perfect platform for the selection and isoloation of single spheroids, organoids and tumoroids.
Biomaterials for more physiologically relevant models
Advanced BioMatrix and CELLINK offer an extensive catalog of biomaterials to support a wide range of 3D in vitro model applications, including alginate, gelma, collagen, hyaluronic acid, and chitosan. Our ready-made hydrogels help facilitate a simplified transition from 2D to 3D culture, and the shift away from animal models in accordance with the FDA Modernization Act, while our biomaterial components enable more customization for tissue-specific development.
Advanced imaging and analysis for real-time insights
The microscope and live cell analyzer lines from ECHO offer excellent options for visualizing and analyzing 3D in vitro models. Live cell analyzers like the Cellcyte 3 enable high-throughput image/video capture of 3D in vitro models, and includes integrated data analysis and graphing tools to help the user capture immediate visualizations of data points.
Sub Applications
BICO solutions support key applications empowering researchers to modernize their research and therapeutic projects.
Cancer Research
Tumors are highly heterogeneous tissues that communicate both internally and with surrounding healthy tissue. Tumor architecture and the surrounding microenvironment significantly influence cell behavior, as cells in different regions of a tumor experience varying nutrient and drug exposures, as well as interactions with neighboring cells. With 3D in vitro models researchers can recapitulate tumor complexity, providing a superior model for understanding disease mechanisms and drug responses.
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
Engineering tissues requires a combination of many different fields: materials science, engineering, and biology. It requires consideration of cell types, extracellular matrix dynamics, and the interplay of biochemical and mechanical signals. By getting these factors just right, researchers see the potential of tissue engineering for both regenerative and personalized medicine applications.
Drug Discovery and Toxicity Screening
Traditional 2D cell culture and animal models often show poor translatability to human clinical trials. This highlights the need for more physiologically relevant models in pre-clinical work, which is where 3D in vitro models come in. With a 3D in vitro model approach, pharmaceutical companies gain more tissue- and human-relevant drug screening, while they can follow regulatory and public pressure to minimize the dependence on animal models.
Personalized Medicine
Disease Modeling
Making 3D in vitro models is not just about creating healthy human tissue. Just as important is the ability to create diseased 3D models. These models can reflect the complexity of disease and disease progression, allowing researchers to capture cell-to-cell interactions and tissue-specific behavior.
Products for 3D In Vitro Models
BICO offerings cover a vast range of reagents, instrumentation, and software, providing an end-to-end solution for 3D cell culture models.
