Polymer-Cast Inserts for Cell Histology and Microscopy

Technology Bundle IDNCI-E-196-2018 Polymer-Cast Inserts for Cell Histology and MicroscopyApplicationsResearch MaterialsCo-InventorsRalph Parchment (NCI)Thu Nguyen ()Development StatusPrototypeICsNCIThree-dimensional (3D) cell cultures systems are important for studying cell biology because they providein vivo-like microenvironments more physiologically relevant than two-dimensional (2D) culture systems. In 3D culture systems, cells are grown in culture matrixes and turn into spheroids and organoids later processed for downstream analysis by microscopy and histology techniques. The processing of 3D cultures for analysis by microscopy or histology is laborious and time-consuming due to incompatibility of the 3D culture vessels and the microscopy and pathology blocks. Therefore, it is not amenable to high-throughput analysis.NCI scientists developed polymer-cast inserts for cell histology and microscopy (PICHAM), made of soft biocompatible polymer compatible with immunofluorescence microscopy. The technology encompasses fixation for paraffin embedding and sectioning, into which an array of vertical wells were bored to harbor cells in culture in the form of spheroids, organoids or other tissue replicas. A PICHAM is cast as a rectangular cuboid designed and fabricated with dimensions to precisely fit into standard histology cassettes. It is envisioned to provide a one-piece system that allows a seamless transition from 3D culture to high-throughput histopathology and microscopy a...
Source: NIH OTT Licensing Opportunities - Category: Research Authors: Source Type: research