Spheroid Analysis
Spheroid Analysis - Related Videos
02:59
Embedding 3D Spheroids in Agarose Gel Drops: A Technique to Preserve Spheroids for Downstream Analysis
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2023
This video describes the technique to embed 3D spheroids in agarose gel drops for preservation. The embedded 3D spheroids can be further used for downstream analysis.
08:39
High-throughput Image Analysis of Tumor Spheroids: A User-friendly Software Application to Measure the Size of Spheroids Automatically and Accurately
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Cited by 117 •
2014
We present a high-throughput image analysis software application to measure the size of three-dimensional tumor spheroids imaged with bright-field microscopy. This application provides a fast and effective way to examine the effects of therapeutic drugs on spheroids, which is beneficial for researchers who wish to use spheroids in drug screens.
10:44
Imaging- and Flow Cytometry-based Analysis of Cell Position and the Cell Cycle in 3D Melanoma Spheroids
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Cited by 57 •
2015
We describe two complementary methods using the fluorescence ubiquitination cell cycle indicator (FUCCI) and image analysis or flow cytometry to identify and isolate cells in the inner G1 arrested and outer proliferating regions of 3D spheroids.
05:39
Extracellular Flux Assay in 3D Spheroids: A Method for Measuring the Metabolic Activity of Pancreatic Tumor Spheroids
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2023
This protocol describes the technique for performing extracellular flux assay on 3D spheroids generated from the co-culture of pancreatic cancer cells (Patu8902) and activated pancreatic fibroblasts (PS1) to measure the two major energy-producing pathways, glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration.
03:20
Splitting Spheroids for Sub-culturing and Shipping: A Procedure for Propagating and Transferring Spheroids from Small Bowel Neuroendocrine Tumor
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2023
This video demonstrates a strategy to split and propagate spheroids developed from small bowel neuroendocrine tumor cells. These spheroids have small bowel neuroendocrine tumor markers and can be propagated and further used to test anti-cancer drugs.
FAQs
Cell-cell interactions help organize the aggregate, while nutrient and oxygen gradients create spatial differences in cellular function. These gradients can influence viability, growth, biochemical behavior, and how experimental treatments affect distinct regions. Consequently, measurements should be interpreted in relation to spatial organization rather than treated as uniform values across the entire spheroid.
Size, shape, density, and spatial organization provide structural measures, whereas growth, viability, and biochemical behavior indicate functional responses. Examining these measurements together can distinguish different outcomes, such as a change in overall expansion versus a change in cellular condition. This combined view supports more complete evaluation of experimental treatments and culture conditions.
Three-dimensional aggregates reproduce aspects of a tissue-like environment that are less evident in many two-dimensional assays. Cells experience organized cell-cell interactions, spatial nutrient and oxygen differences, and variable compound penetration. Spheroid analysis therefore offers a way to examine how these factors shape cellular behavior, producing data that can be more physiologically relevant.
Microscopy supplies images from which researchers can quantify spheroid structure and spatial features. Measurements may include size, shape, density, and organization, followed by assessment of growth, viability, or biochemical changes under defined experimental conditions. Comparing these measurements across conditions allows investigators to evaluate how treatments or other variables alter the aggregate.
Researchers can compare spheroid growth, viability, structure, and biochemical behavior before and after compound exposure. Because penetration and response may vary within the aggregate, the resulting measurements can show effects associated with the three-dimensional environment. This supports evaluation of both whether a treatment is effective and whether it produces harmful cellular changes.
In biochemistry, spheroid analysis helps investigate tumor biology, cell differentiation, and tissue engineering strategies alongside drug efficacy and toxicity. It can reveal how cellular organization, nutrient and oxygen gradients, and compound penetration influence function. These observations provide experimental context for studying tissue-like behavior and for assessing approaches intended to support tissue development or repair.