Despite the growing relevance of 3D cell culture as a research model, imaging techniques used to characterize these models are highly limited. Due to the thickness and opacity of 3D cellular structures, most current imaging technologies cannot penetrate to the center of the tissues, resulting in only the outer 2 to 3 layers of cells being detected. This causes the dark centers often seen in images of 3D cell culture models, which proves highly problematic for accurate analysis as these outer cells are most exposed to compounds, nutrients and oxygen and thus do not reflect the entire cell population.
Corning now offers 3D Clear Tissue Clearing reagent that can be used in a tissue clearing technique, designed specifically to support imaging for 3D cell culture models and plate-based high throughput processing. When paired with fluorescent labeling (e.g., fluorescent protein, immunofluorescence, chemical dyes) and high content confocal microscopy, Corning 3D Clear reagent allows for complete 3D cell culture model characterization and more accurate drug screening.
