Bioinspired tuning of glycol chitosan for 3D cell culture

Researchers developed glycol chitosan-based thermo-reversible hydrogels to facilitate the formation of 3D cell spheroids, offering a simpler alternative to traditional methods. These hydrogels, particularly N-hexanoyl glycol chitosan, demonstrated high thermo-sensitivity and effectiveness in forming multicellular spheroids on culture dish surfaces. The system allowed for spontaneous spheroid formation within 24 hours and maintained cellular functions over time. It also supported co-cultures, enhancing the biomimicry of biological microenvironments. This method showed potential for applications in tissue regeneration, organ-on-chips, and drug screening, with cytotoxicity tests confirming its safety for large-scale processes.