Gelatin-based cell culture device for construction and X-ray irradiation of a three-dimensional oral cancer model.

Bioassays using three-dimensional (3D) tissue models offer several advantages over 2D culture assays because they can reproduce the structure and function of native tissues. In this study, we used our newly designed gelatin device to generate a miniature 3D model of human oral squamous cell carcinoma with stroma and blood vessels. To enable air-liquid interface culture, we conceived a new device structure in which three wells were lined up and separated by a dividing thread; the wells could be connected by removing the dividing thread.