Models from: Non-destructive in situ monitoring of structural changes of 3D tumor spheroids during the formation, migration, and fusion process

For traditional laboratory microscopy observation, the multi-dimensional, real-time, in situ observation of three-dimensional (3D) cell spheroids has always been the pain point in cell spheroid observation. In this study, we designed a side-view observation petri dish/device that reflects light, enabling in situ observation of the 3D morphology of cell spheroids using conventional inverted laboratory microscopes. We used a 3D-printed handle and frame to support a first surface mirror, positioning the device within a cell culture petri dish to image cell spheroid samples. The imaging conditions, such as the distance between the mirror and the 3D spheroids, the light source, and the impact of the culture medium, were systematically studied to validate the in-situ side-view observation. The results proved that placing the surface mirror adjacent to the spheroids enables non-destructive in situ real-time tracking of tumor spheroid formation, migration, and fusion dynamics. The correlation b..., , , # Non-destructive in situ monitoring of structural changes of 3D tumor spheroids during the formation, migration, and fusion process - Models

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.9p8cz8wt7](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.9p8cz8wt7)

## Description of the data and file structure

The overall size of the device, as shown in **Fig. A**, is approximately 17 mm in height, with a petri dish diameter of 35 mm. Inside the 3D-printed handle and the frame, two cylindrical magnets with a diameter of 3 mm and height of 3 mm were embedded **(Fig. B**). To compare with the 35 mm petri dish, the height, width, and thickness of the first surface mirror are 20 mm, 4.5 mm, and 2 mm (Fig. C). A 3D printer (Bambu Lab P1P,China) was used to fabricate all the 3D-printed parts with a speed of 50 mm/s, the height of each slice is 200 μm, and infill density is 50%. Before coming into contact with cell samples, the device is first cleaned overall using 75% alcohol and then sterilized by UV light irradiation for 30 min...