Organoids and 3D Culture: Bridging Tissue Complexity in Biomedical Research

Recent advances in disease modeling have highlighted the urgent need for culture systems that closely mimic the complexity and physiology of human tissues and organs. Significant efforts are being directed toward developing organoids, spheroids, and 3D cell culture models, as traditional cell monolayers fall short of replicating native tissue organization.
Notably, 3D culture systems derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), embryonic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and cancer stem cells have paved the way for a large subset of tissue-like and organoid structures. These range from the brain and gut/intestine to the kidney, cardiac, and sensory organs.

3D culture is transforming disease modeling, advancing basic biological research, and enhancing drug discovery platforms. Nevertheless, this rapidly evolving field, and specifically organoid generation, represents one of the most challenging techniques in cell biology, due to the complexity of recreating a bona-fide tissue spatial organization, with diverse operative cell types.

By aggregating advanced protocols for generating 3D cellular cultures and differentiating them into functional organoids, we will facilitate the sharing of knowledge, creating a consistent hub for scientists working in tissue and disease modeling. This will also serve as a reliable starting point for researchers interested in exploring this new technique, highlighting both organoids’ advantages and their actual limitations from a critical and forward-looking point of view.

This Research Topic aims to provide a platform for publishing innovative research articles, reviews, and viewpoints that highlight the role of organoids as vital and cutting-edge tools for creating reliable in vitro models. These models aim to replicate the complexity of in vivo cellular and tissue structures, recreating a functional tissue-specific microenvironment in vitro.
Manuscripts responsive to this call for paper include studies describing:

• 3D cell culture models used in a multi-cell or multi-organ integrative physiology perspective
• Spheroids and organoids culture models used to mimic pathophysiological conditions
• New technological advancements to improve 3D cultures, such as microfluidic systems or chips
• Physiological and bioengineering approaches designed to identify mechanisms of inter-organ or inter-cellular communication
• Studies aimed to develop multi-lineage differentiation protocols on 3D cell cultures
• Literature review on the topics mentioned above with critical and proactive comments.

There are no restrictions regarding cellular types of origin (either human or other animal cells will be accepted) or on the final tissues/organs modeled. Investigations of physiological and pathological conditions are both welcomed.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Disease on Chip, Disease Modelling, Organoids, 3D culture Spheroids

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.