Hello everyone,

I am attempting to culture HUVECs in a collagen and laminin hydrogel. The cells are mixed with the polymer solution, which is then allowed to gel. However, I have noticed that the cells tend to form organoid-like aggregates rather than tubes.

Clearly, I have tried to optimize the culture conditions, considering the number of cells to embed and the concentration of each gel component. However, in every case, during the first few days of culture, rudimental capillary-like structures form within the first 3 days but then transform into aggregates in the following days. I have extended the culture period to 21 days, but the result remains the same.

Do you have any advice on how to promote tube formation instead of spheroids?

Thank you very much.

Mattia