Is cell culture expensive?

Yes, studies on tissue or cell cultures are often less costly. However, it is important to remember that in vitro experiments using cell cultures may also use animal cells. The material for the cell cultures may come from a biopsy, from a slaughtered animal or from an animal killed for an in vitro experiment. If animals are used, the keeping, breeding and work with the animals must always be accounted for. The care of the animals and the training of the people who carry them out, as required by law, are reflected in the costs accordingly. Of course, this expense does not apply to research projects that do not involve any animal experiments. This is another reason why animal-free methods are used whenever possible.

Answer

Yes, 3D cell culture is more expensive than 2D culture.

The 3D cell culture environment is more advanced in that it allows cells to grow and interact with the surrounding extracellular framework in three dimensions. 3D cell culture plate manufacturing methods are highly complex and expensive. Moreover, the technique is also more labor-intensive and time-consuming.

By contrast, 2D cell cultures involve growing cells in a flat monolayer in a plate. This is quick and simple to set up and costs much less.