APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING AND ANALYZING THREE-DIMENSIONAL CELLULAR MATERIALS

An apparatus for containing a three-dimensional cellular material surrounded by a medium that facilitates and maintains the centering of the three-dimensional cellular material throughout an assay is provided. The apparatus includes a well having an open proximal end and a closed distal end. Further, the well defines a compartment having an interior surface and a sample nesting site for containing the three-dimensional cellular material surrounded by the medium. A central indentation is located at the closed distal end of the well, a first concentric lip is located above the central indentation in a y-direction towards the open proximal end of the well, and a second concentric lip is located above the first concentric lip in the y-direction towards the open proximal end of the well. Additionally, the first concentric lip and the second concentric lip define a groove therebetween. A method of forming a three-dimensional cellular material is also provided.