What is a 3D scaffold?

There are two main types of 3D cell culture systems - a scaffold system and a scaffold-free system. In the scaffold system, the 3D scaffold provides the support and nutrition necessary for the cells to grow and proliferate in three dimensions on a 3D plate.

The scaffold distributes nutrients more evenly without restricting the passage of cells in applications where cell motion is crucial. It also makes it possible to design more specific physiological environments and improve batch-wise consistency of media. Without the scaffold, the entire cell culture would be structurally compromised – separating target cells for testing or sub-culture would be difficult and corrupted cells, invasive materials and infection would spread through the culture more rapidly.

Popular types of 3D scaffold include hydrogels and inert matrices. Hydrogels may be derived from animals or plants or synthesized from chemicals while inert matrices are sponge-like membranes made of polystyrene which contain pores that allow cells to proliferate and grow.