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For decades, scientists relied on "2D" cell cultures—cells grown flat on a plastic dish. However, the human body isn't flat. 3D Cell Culture has emerged as a game-changer by allowing cells to grow in three-dimensional environments, such as spheroids or organoids (mini-organs). These models better mimic the natural architecture, cell-to-cell signaling, and nutrient gradients found in living tissue. Because they react more like real human organs, 3D cultures are becoming essential in testing how new drugs penetrate tumors or affect liver function.

To understand the impact of a drug on these 3D models, researchers often use Next Generation Sequencing. By sequencing the RNA of these 3D-grown cells, scientists can see exactly which genes are "turned on" or "off" in response to a treatment. This provides a high-resolution map of a drug’s efficacy and toxicity before it ever reaches a human trial. While we haven't completely replaced animal testing yet, the synergy between 3D modeling and NGS data is drastically reducing our reliance on animal models, making drug development faster, more ethical, and significantly more accurate.