Reflections from an inspiring and high-standard conference on advanced 3D cell culture models and translational applications
We had the opportunity to attend BaCell 3D 2025, an exceptionally well-organized and deeply enriching conference focused on the latest advances in 3D cell culture, organoid technologies, and their applications in translational research. Bringing together scientists from academia and industry, the meeting created a space for genuine exchange, collaboration, and inspiration. The organizers made a noticeable effort to enhance engagement throughout the conference. Initiatives like Sponsor Bingo and visual session aids helped spark conversation and made the event more dynamic and enjoyable. A fun and memorable detail was the presence of a @visual.facilitators who live-sketched all the talks throughout the entire conference, capturing the essence of each session in real time with creativity and clarity.
Pushing the Boundaries of (in vitro) Model Complexity
A strong thread throughout the program was the evolution of organoid and 3D model complexity. We saw exciting efforts to vascularize tumor models and assemble regionalized organoids that better capture tissue physiology. At the same time, simpler 3D models continue to show their strength, particularly in high-throughput drug screening and patient stratification. The diversity of approaches underlines that both depth and scalability are needed. Many presentations reflected how decades of developmental biology are now being translated into more refined and accelerated protocols for generating mature organoids. These innovations are shortening timelines without compromising model fidelity, which is a crucial step forward for translational use.
As contributors to this year’s program, we were proud to share our work and engage in meaningful conversations throughout the event. Lisa-Marie Erlandsdotter gave a selected talk titled „Neuroinflammation-on-Chip: An iPSC-derived 3D-Neuro-immunocompetent platform for disease and therapeutic modelling“ as part of the organ-on-a-chip and microphysiological systems session. Meanwhile, André Rosa presented his poster titled „Microfluidic tumor-on-chip platforms for modelling tumor-immune interactions and patient-specific immunotherapy responses“, and Claudia Teufel shared her work titled „Lymphoid-tissue-on-chip to recapitulate human adaptive immune responses and to predict drug-immune-cell interactions in vitro“. These contributions sparked insightful discussions and opened doors for valuable collaborations.
Expanding the 3D Culture Toolbox
We also appreciated the attention given to underrepresented tissues in the 3D model landscape. New methods for developing models of prostate and placenta are helping to expand the field beyond its traditional focus areas like brain and gut, offering fresh insights into disease mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities.
Another key takeaway was the emphasis on biobanking as an enabler of personalized medicine. A particularly impactful initiative highlighted how coordinated, nationwide tumor biobanking can provide samples not only for molecular profiling but also for functional assays, including complex culture models. This approach is already contributing to real-world clinical decisions, with some studies achieving personalized treatment recommendations within just four weeks.
Workshops that Connected Science and Self
Beyond the talks, the pre-conference workshops were a valuable component of the meeting. The imaging session created space for timely discussions around AI-based image analysis, ethics, and data handling. Tools like OMERO were presented as user-friendly solutions for managing large and complex imaging datasets.
Equally appreciated was the career development workshop, which offered a rare and welcome pause to reflect on our personal goals, skill development, and professional identity. Through interactive exercises, we explored what it means to build a sustainable career and how to maintain the connections that support us along the way.
In Summary
BaCell 3D 2025 stood out not only for its scientific depth but also for its thoughtful structure and human touch. From the lab bench to the clinic, and from personal reflection to professional development, it reminded us of the many layers involved in shaping the future of 3D model systems. We return motivated, with new ideas, contacts, and perspectives to carry forward.
