Microwell Aggregation
Microwell Aggregation - Related Videos
06:28
Aggregate Size Optimization in Microwells for Suspension-based Cardiac Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
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Cited by 11 •
2016
Conventional methods to initiate suspension aggregate based cardiac differentiation of human pluripotent stems cells (hPSCs) are plagued with culture heterogeneity with respect to aggregate size and shape. Here, we describe a robust method for cardiac differentiation employing microwells to generate size-controlled hPSC aggregates cultured under cardiac-promoting conditions.
10:44
Production of Large Numbers of Size-controlled Tumor Spheroids Using Microwell Plates
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Cited by 36 •
2013
We introduce a protocol for the generation of large numbers (thousands to hundreds of thousands) of uniform size- and composition-controlled tumor spheroids, using commercially available microwell plates.
02:25
Photodegradable Hydrogel-Based Isolation of Bacterial Colonies in Microwell Arrays
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2025
Source: Fattahi, N., et al. Photodegradable Hydrogel Interfaces for Bacteria Screening, Selection, and Isolation. J. Vis. Exp. (2021)This video demonstrates the use of photodegradable hydrogels to isolate bacterial colonies within silicon microwell arrays. Bacterial cells are first loaded into microwells, encapsulated in a crosslinked hydrogel, and cultured into distinct colonies. Upon exposure to ultraviolet light, targeted degradation of the hydrogel enables selective extraction of individual...
10:10
Aggregates for Concrete and Asphaltic Mixes
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2023
Source: Roberto Leon, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA Concrete and asphalt are by far the most common construction materials used today. Concrete is a composite material consisting of cement, water, air, coarse aggregate, and fine aggregates. Fine aggregates are typically sands and coarse aggregates are natural or crushed rocks. Chemical admixtures to modify certain specific properties are also commonly used (i.e., superplasticizers to make the...
11:42
A Paired Bead and Magnet Array for Molding Microwells with Variable Concave Geometries
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Cited by 8 •
2018
This manuscript introduces a robust method of fabricating concave microwells without the need for complex high-cost facilities. Using magnetic force, steel beads, and a through-hole array, several hundred microwells were formed in a 3 cm x 3 cm polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate.
FAQs
Well dimensions and seeding density are major controls over the resulting aggregate. Smaller or differently sized wells alter how many cells occupy each confined space, while the number of cells introduced affects aggregate size and cellular composition. Adjusting these variables allows researchers to generate more consistent starting populations for experiments that compare developmental outcomes across conditions.
Confinement brings cells into close proximity, increasing opportunities for cell-cell contact and adhesion. These interactions help cells organize into a three-dimensional aggregate rather than remaining broadly dispersed. Because the wells establish a defined local environment, researchers can examine how coordinated cellular behavior contributes to early tissue development and other developmental processes.
Consistency depends especially on controlling well dimensions and the number of cells seeded into each well. These factors influence both aggregate size and composition, so variation in either can create different starting materials between samples. More uniform aggregates improve reproducibility and make developmental comparisons, differentiation studies, and treatment-response experiments easier to interpret.
Three-dimensional aggregates provide organized starting material for examining how cells change during development. In developmental biology, researchers can use embryoid bodies, spheroids, and early organoid structures formed through this approach to investigate differentiation, morphogenesis, and lineage specification. Comparing aggregates produced under defined conditions helps connect cell organization with subsequent developmental outcomes.
Cells are introduced into an array of small wells and allowed to settle so that individual microwells concentrate their resident cells. The resulting cell-cell contact and adhesion support aggregate formation. Researchers can adjust well dimensions and seeding density during setup, then use the resulting aggregates as defined material for developmental or tissue-focused experiments.
This approach is useful when an experiment requires relatively consistent three-dimensional starting structures rather than variable aggregates. Developmental biologists can apply it to studies of embryoid bodies, spheroids, and early organoid structures, especially when investigating differentiation, morphogenesis, or lineage specification. The improved consistency supports clearer comparisons among developmental conditions.
Microwell-generated aggregates can serve as starting material for disease modeling, drug-response studies, and tissue engineering, in addition to basic developmental research. Their controlled size and composition help standardize the biological material exposed to different conditions. This can improve interpretation of how treatments or engineering environments affect cell behavior and tissue development.