With the realization that cells interact extensively with their surrounding microenvironments during growth and development, the challenge for researchers has become designing three-dimensional culture systems that more closely mimic those relationships.
Enjoying our latest content?
Log in or create an account to continue
- Access the most recent journalism from Nature's award-winning team
- Explore the latest features & opinion covering groundbreaking research
or
References
Engler, J.A., Sen, S., Sweeney, H.L. & Discher, D.E. Matrix elasticity direct stem cell lineage specification. Cell 126, 677–689 (2006).
Adamo, L. et al. Biomechanical forces promote embryonic haematopoiesis. Nature 459, 1131–1134 (2009).
North, T.E. et al. Hematopoietic stem cell development is dependent on blood flow. Cell 137, 736–748 (2009).
Lutolf, M.P. & Hubbel, J.A. Synthetic biomaterials as instructive extracellular microenvironments for morphogenesis in tissue engineering. Nat. Biotechnol. 23, 47–55 (2005).
Kloxin, A.M., Kasko, A.M., Salinas, C.N., & Anseth, K.S. Photodegradable hydrogels for dynamic tuning of physical and chemical properties. Science 324, 59–63 (2009).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Blow, N. Cell culture: building a better matrix. Nat Methods 6, 619–622 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmeth0809-619
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nmeth0809-619
This article is cited by
-
Hydrogels with Dynamically Controllable Mechanics and Biochemistry for 3D Cell Culture Platforms
Chinese Journal of Polymer Science (2022)
-
Engineering mucus to study and influence the microbiome
Nature Reviews Materials (2019)
-
Effects of steroid hormones on differentiated glandular epithelial and stromal cells in a three dimensional cell culture model of the canine endometrium
BMC Veterinary Research (2013)
-
Culture and chemical-induced fusion of tobacco mesophyll protoplasts in a microfluidic device
Microfluidics and Nanofluidics (2011)
