Special Joint Webinar on Three-dimensional Models and Retinal Organoids

Three-dimensional Models: Organoid Study and Co-culture for Oncology Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture environments provide structural and biochemical clues for cellular differentiation and functionality. For specialized cell types such as primary cells and stem cells, a two-dimensional (2D) growth substrate may not be sufficient to support complex cellular behaviors such as cell polarity, morphology, spheroid formation, signal transduction, and tissue-specific gene expression. This seminar will introduce the newest tools developed to help researchers: Corning® Matrigel® matrix for organoid culture and Corning Elplasia® plates for bulk production of spheroids. We will also present advanced case studies using spheroids and organoids. Presenter: Franziska Wienholz is a Scientific Support Specialist at Corning Life Sciences. Retinal Organoids: Developing Disease Models to Better Understand Glaucoma Pathogenesis Glaucoma refers to a group of complex genetic diseases that affect the retinal ganglion cells that relay visual input along the optic nerve to the visual cortex. In glaucoma, these cells are damaged and degenerate, resulting in permanent progressive visual field loss and ultimately, blindness. Retinal organoids are routinely used to model glaucoma in vitro; however, a drawback is the lengthy culture times to generate retinal ganglion cells, which can be 2 months or longer. This can be reduced by using a 3D Corning Matrigel matrix culture, which has been used to generate retinal ganglion cells in just 28 days. With advances in gene editing, retinal organoids can be used to model genetic mutations that lead to the development of glaucoma and provide clues to future therapies to halt the loss of vision. Presenter: Philip Wagstaff is currently a Ph.D. researcher studying the genetics of glaucoma at University of Amsterdam, Netherlands.