2D and 3D cell microarrays in pharmacology

To analyze the phenotypic consequences of perturbing mammalian cells with drugs, there is an increasing need for systematic cell-based assays in an HTS format. Cell microarrays provide an attractive solution as they offer more than a simple miniaturization and mechanization of conventional microtiter plates. While standard monolayer two-dimensional culture conditions are poor mimics of the cellular environment in situ, microfabricated systems enable three-dimensional organotypic cell cultures and have the potential to provide biological insight not achievable before. This article compares different cell microarray formats and evaluates their potential use in the drug discovery process.