3D culture of cancer cells in alginate hydrogel beads as an effective technique for emergency cell storage and transportation in the pandemic era

Abstract

Due to the restrictions in access to research lab during the pandemic time and due to existence of challenges in providing proper storage and transportation of cells in developing countries, having an effective and feasible mean to solve these challenges would be with immense help. Therefore, we developed alginate beads of cell culture as a 3D culture settings of cancer cells and tested its effectiveness in different storage and transportation conditions. The cell viability and proliferation were assessed using trypan blue staining and quantitative CCK-8 kit respectively. The developed beads allowed cancer cells survival up to 4 weeks with less frequent maintenance measures such as change of the culture media or subculture of cells. In addition, the recovery of cancer cells and proliferation pattern were significantly faster with better outcomes in the developed3D alginate beads compared to the standard cryopreservation of cells or the 2D culture conditions. The 3D alginate beads also supported the viability of cells while shipment at room temperature for a duration of up to 5 days with no humidity or CO2 support. Therefore, 3D culture in alginate beads can be used to store or ship biologicals cells with ease at room temperature with minimal preparations.