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Who we are

The 3D Culture Facility is a centralised, multi-user facility dedicated to advancing therapeutics through innovative 3D culture techniques. Our mission is to empower researchers and accelerate progress by providing the essential infrastructure, materials, and expert support needed to create, develop, and maintain high-quality 3D culture models.

Our specialised team supports the research of UNSW scientists, as well as external academic, hospital and industry partners in stem-cell differentiation, patient-derived cultures and bio-engineering tools. As the newest ‘arm’ of KGLMF, our experienced team can also provide guidance in biospecimen preparation and imaging techniques and analysis.

Funding partners:

Capabilities

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Pluripotent stem cells (PSC)
We can provide assistance with expansion, maintenance and cryopreservation as well as vials and cells upon request.
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Adult stem cells
We can provide assistance with culturing of primary patient –derived material for organoid generation and 3D Culture.
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Organoids & 3D Cultures
Generation, expansion, and characterisation/validation of 3D cultures from primary tissue samples using standardised protocols, or optimised researcher-led approaches .
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Differentiation techniques 
Use of standard protocols and assistance in developing novel protocols, medias and techniques to facilitate your next 3D culture project.
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Biobanking
Biobanking of iPSC-derived cell lines and organoids alongside patient-derived tissues, in collaboration with Biospecimen Services.
User training & workshops
Available for stem cell maintenance, 3D culturing and organoid technologies .
Project Development & Support
Project design support, including protocol development, grant writing and GM and/or ethics applications.We also provide support for downstream processing and pipelines to other MWAC facilities.

Instruments

  • The Baker Ruskinn SCI-tive Workstation mimics in vivo conditions with precise, user-defined controls that allow researchers to study cells and tissues under mimicked physiological oxygen conditions.

    The workstation has HEPA filtration, direct hand access via the glove ports and a spacious interior, accommodating a large quantity of culture dishes and plates as well as specialist equipment.

  • The RASTRUM is a compact benchtop 3D bioprinter that suits high-throughput applications and creates organoids, tissue-like structurers and complex 3D models supported by research-led bespoke matrices.

    Inventia have developed in-house bioink formulations that gel instantly on the combination of two separate droplets. These bioinks, combined with the ability to create multiple matrix- building blocks, with or without cells allow researchers to create 3D cell models, layer-by-layer. 

  • The Cloud Alpha Max is capable of exposing mammalian cell cultures in cell culture inserts and is suitable for the nebulisation of solutions and suspensions for screening inhaled drugs and/or toxicity testing of inhaled substances such as chemicals or nanoparticles and virus research.

    Its functionality, and ability to fit within a cytotoxic cabinet enables a fully automated process with all-in-one control unit, making it super easy to expose cultures at the air/liquid interface. 

  • The Orbi-Shaker CO2 is designed for mixing and aerating cultures within a CO2 incubator.

    By using an orbital shaker, cultures can experience improvements in nutrient and gas exhchange as well as sheer stress, leading to improved culture of organoids and spheroids without the need for additional extracellular matrix. 

  • The LabGard NU-543 is a Class II, Type A2 Biosafety Cabinet (BSC) is an essential tool in cell culture laboratories, designed to provide personnel, product, and environmental protection while working with low to moderate risk biologicals. It features a single ultra-high efficiency motor with a precision-engineered forward curve fan to increase filter load capability and extend filter life. This BSC is constructed of welded 16/18 Ga stainless steel and features a UV sterilisation cycle which makes it ideal for providing a clean working environment for biologicals but is not suitable for volatile chemicals, nanoparticles, or cytotoxic chemicals.

  • The Eppendorf CellXpertâ C170i cell culture incubator is essential for maintaining optimal environmental conditions for the growth and preservation of cell cultures in research and clinical laboratories.

Our people

Dr Alison Ferguson staff headshot for KGLMF and 3D Culture Facility
Research Manager

Phone: 02 9348 8212
Email: alison.ferguson@unsw.edu.au

 

Johana Tello Velasquez staff headshot for KGLMF
Research Officer

Phone: 02 9348 8212
Email: j.tello_velasquez@unsw.edu.au

Robyn Yeh staff headshot for KFLMF
Technical Officer

Phone: 02 9348 8212
Email: r.yeh@unsw.edu.au

Contact us

3D Culture Facility

Room 2061, Level 2
BioSciences Building (E26)
UNSW Sydney, NSW 2033

Phone: 02 9348 8212
Email: 3DCulture@unsw.edu.au

We like to hear from you. If you have questions, requests or ideas for collaboration, please complete the contact form and we will be in touch within five business days.

Get in touch about your project

We offer a range of services that can be tailored to your needs. Please send us an enquiry to get started.