Two-dimensional (2D) cell culture is a valuable method for cell-based research, However, it may provide unpredictable, misleading data on in vivo responses. Over the last two decades, awareness of the importance of the cellular microenvironment (e.g. extracellular matrix and interstitial fluid) has increased. This new cell culture paradigm, called as 3D cell culture, is rapidly gaining popularity. With the transition from 2D cultures to 3D culture techniques, it is provided the reveal of models that are more similar to living tissues physiologically. 3D cell cultures offer different techniques for different purposes, and users need to choose the most available model according to the requirement. 3D cell culture systems have been used to clarify the complex physiological mechanisms in the fields of stem cell studies, drug discoveries, cancer research, gene and protein expression studies. The aim of this review was to discuss the application areas of existing 3D cultures in comparison with 2D cultures and 3D cultures.

Keywords: Three-dimensional cell culture, two-dimentional cell culture, spheroid, scaffold, techniques