Three-dimensional cell culture: from evolution to revolution

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Recent advances in the isolation of tissue-resident adult stem cells and the identification of inductive factors that efficiently direct differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells along specific lineages have facilitated the development of high-fidelity modelling of several tissues in vitro . Many of the novel approaches have employed self-organizing three-dimensional (3D) culturing of organoids, which offer several advantages over conventional two-dimensional platforms. Organoid technologies hold great promise for modelling diseases and predicting the outcome of drug responses in vitro . Here, we outline the historical background and some of the recent advances in the field of three-dimensional organoids. We also highlight some of the current limitations of these systems and discuss potential avenues to further benefit biological research using three-dimensional modelling technologies. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Designer human tissue: coming to a lab near you’.