3D culture in microgravity: a realistic alternative to experimental animal use

The acceptance of the new paradigm of three-dimensional (3D) cell culture will enhance in the next years the possibility to develop reliable and physiologically relevant in vitro alternatives to the use of in vivo animal-based models. The recent progress in tissue engineering approaches and the rapid advances in emerging technologies have greatly contributed to the design and set up of a large number of relevant bioreactor-based 3D tissue analogues with various characteristic properties. This article addresses the potential of the microgravity-based RCCS TM technology to provide the best culture conditions for the generation and long-term maintenance of functional 3D cell constructs and tissue explants for future applications in basic research, pharmaco-toxicology and clinical fields.