Methods | Cost | Time of operation | Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|---|---|---|
Agar-based non-adherent 3D culture | Very low | <2Â h | Simple procedure; reusable | Freshly prepared required |
3D culture in commercial ultra-low attachment dishes | High | None | Ready to use; long-time storage | Not reusable |
Poly-HEMA–based non-adherent 3D culture | Low | >8 h | Long-time storage | Complicated preparation procedure, not reusable |
Antibody-based FACS and MACS | High | >3 h | High-quality cancer stem-like cells | Markers are cell type–dependent, complicated procedure |
Scaffold-supported 3D culture (for example, Matrigel) | High | >2Â h | Microenvironment mimicking | Potential differentiation-induced, temperature-sensitive solidification |
Side population sorting | Medium | >3Â h | Functional relevant | Inconsistent results |