Use of microcarrier beads to facilitate epithelial outgrowth inside collagen gel

Summary Multicellular aggregates of some epithelial cell types rapidly produce ductlike protuberances when cultured inside a matrix of hydrated collagen gel. However, some epithelioid cells aggregate poorly. These cell types will produce outgrowths rapidly if they are attached to microcarrier beads before embedding them in the collagen matrix. Methods are described for preparing such cultures.