Authors: Eloisa Torchia et al.

Journal: bioRxiv (2024)

Institution: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia

Research Areas: Cell Culture

Cell Lines: HaCaT (human epithelial cells)

Summary: There is a need for biomimetic cell culture platforms for early stages of drug screening. Something as simple as a thin hydrogel layer would provide physiological stiffness and native-like biochemical cues. However, casting hydrogels inside the common small-diameter wells creates high-curvature menisci that negatively affects cell seeding and microscopy readouts. The authors have developed a method of automatic dispensing which prevents meniscus formation. With this method, hydrogels with tunable stiffnesses and thickness can be produced at room temperature and in commercial high throughput plates. HoloMonitor has been used to show that image-based proliferation studies are possible with gels cast by using this new method.

Keywords: fish gelatin, HaCaT keratinocytes, phase holographic imaging, nocodazole, paclitaxel