The behavior of 3D-cultured cells is more reflective of in vivo cellular responses. 3D cell culture systems represent more accurately the actual microenvironment found in tissues in the body. Research has shown that cells in a 3D culture environment differ morphologically and physiologically from cells in a 2D culture environment.

The additional dimensionality of 3D culture is the crucial feature leading to the difference in cellular responses because not only does it influence the spatial organization of the cell surface receptors engaged in interactions with surrounding cells, but it also induces physical constraints to cells. These spatial and physical aspects in 3D cultures affect the signal transduction from the outside to the inside of the cells, and ultimately influence gene expression and cellular behavior. The adjacent diagram provides a depiction of the effects of 3D verse 2D of cell culture systems.

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