Cell culture insert for generation and hydrogel-encapsulation of 3D biological samples

A hanging drop cell culture insert 100 is described comprising an upper retaining piece 102 and a lower culture piece 104. The upper retaining piece is designed so as to retain the insert in a culture well. The lower culture piece comprises a plate portion having a plurality of holes 108 extending therethrough, each of the holes being configured to accommodate a hanging drop of liquid formed by application of liquid to the hole. The upper retaining piece and the lower culture piece comprise cooperating portions 112 configured so as to retain the upper piece and lower piece together, and to allow relative movement of the upper piece and lower piece along a longitudinal axis so as to alter the separation between the upper piece and the plate portion of the lower piece.