Maximizing the potential of precious cells

In cell-based research, some samples are truly irreplaceable. Patient-derived biopsies, primary cells, and stem cells hold immense potential for studying human biology, disease progression, and therapeutic response. However, these cells are often scarce, costly, and challenging to maintain in culture. Every sample represents a unique opportunity to uncover insights—but traditional workflows can waste valuable material, limiting research outcomes.

RASTRUM™ Allegro is designed to help you unlock the full potential of your research with these precious cells. By maximizing efficiency, minimizing waste, and delivering reproducible results, it empowers researchers to push the boundaries of science while respecting the scarcity of their samples.

Challenges of Working with Patient-Derived Cells in Research

Consider the journey of patient-derived cells. Often obtained through invasive and painstaking procedures, these cells hold unparalleled potential for understanding diseases like cancer or testing how a patient may respond to specific therapies. However, working with these cells presents significant challenges:

• Scarcity – Limited availability makes every sample critically important
• Scarcity –Maintaining reproducibility is difficult when each patient’s cells behave differently
• Physiological relevance – Culturing cells in conditions that accurately mimic the human body remains a persistent challenge
• Traditional inefficiencies – Conventional methods often result in high material loss, reducing the number of experiments that can be conducted

Stem cells present similar hurdles. Their ability to differentiate into various cell types makes them invaluable for research, but they require careful handling and precise conditions to generate reliable results. Even minor inefficiencies can lead to wasted cells and lost opportunities.

How 3D Cell Models Improve Research with Patient-Derived Cells

Recent studies highlight the incredible potential of patient-derived cells. Research published in Pharmaceutics utilized RASTRUM technology to explore cancer therapeutics in 3D models derived from patients.¹ Similarly, a study in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences demonstrated how patient-derived organoids could model disease progression, enabling researchers to better understand disease states and therapeutic responses.²

With the introduction of RASTRUM Allegro, researchers can take these applications even further. RASTRUM Allegro’s direct-load fluidics technology allows scientists to generate up to 3.5x more 3D cell models from the same sample compared to the first generation RASTRUM instrument, significantly increasing the amount of research that can be performed with limited material. This means:

• Greater experimental throughput – More models from fewer cells with the ability to print across multiple plates, enabling broader downstream analysis and exploration
• Minimal sample waste – Maximized use of each sample ensures more reliable data
• Improved reproducibility – Precision engineering reduces variability in model formation
  
  

Maximizing Reproducibility in 3D Cell Culture with RASTRUM Allegro

RASTRUM Allegro’s impact extends across multiple areas of research, including:

• Patient-Derived Models – Researchers can create scalable 3D disease models that preserve key biological characteristics, enabling deeper investigation into disease mechanisms and therapeutic responses.
• Stem Cell Research – High efficiency and reproducibility ensure that even costly stem cells are used effectively, supporting research into differentiation, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine applications.
• Drug Discovery – Pharmaceutical and biotech labs rely on RASTRUM Allegro’s low coefficient of variation (CV) to ensure consistency in high-throughput screening workflows, making it easier to assess new drug candidates.

Why Precision and Reproducibility Matter in 3D Cell Models for Drug Discovery

Efficiency is only valuable when paired with consistency. Variability in 3D cell model formation can lead to unreliable results, slowing progress and diminishing confidence in experimental outcomes. RASTRUM Allegro eliminates this concern through precision robotics and drop-on-demand technology, ensuring that every 3D model is formed with exceptional uniformity.

• Post-print CVs of <10% and downstream assay CVs of <19% provide reproducible results at any scale.
• Scalability from single plates to 35+-plate high-throughput screens enables streamlined research, from pilot studies to large-scale investigations.

With RASTRUM Allegro, researchers can trust the integrity of their models and focus on extracting meaningful insights, rather than troubleshooting inconsistencies. Learn how researchers at BMS are leveraging the RASTRUM Allegro platform to develop a scalable 3D PDAC model in this poster: Development of a reproducible, high-throughput, and screenable 3D PDAC model using the RASTRUM™ platform.

Transforming Precious Cells into Scalable 3D Models for Research

When working with limited, high-value samples, the right tools make all the difference. RASTRUM Allegro provides researchers with an advanced platform to maximize the impact of patient-derived cells, stem cells, and other critical samples—ensuring that every cell contributes to meaningful discoveries.

RASTRUM Allegro isn’t just about increasing efficiency; it’s about empowering scientists to push the boundaries of discovery with confidence and precision.

Every cell matters. And with RASTRUM Allegro, every discovery can go further.

1. Bock N et al., GelMA, Click-Chemistry Gelatin and Bioprinted Polyethylene Glycol-Based Hydrogels as 3D Ex Vivo Drug Testing Platforms for Patient-Derived Breast Cancer Organoids. Pharmaceutics. 2023. doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15010261
2. Piper et al., EGFR and PI3K Signalling Pathways as Promising Targets on Circulating Tumour Cells from Patients with Metastatic Gastric Adenocarcinoma. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024. doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105565