Our understanding of how adipocytes influence metabolic signaling, immune function, and cancer progression remains limited as the culture of primary adipocytes is challenging. Here, we present a protocol to fabricate elastomer microwells for three-dimensional culture of collagen-embedded adipocytes. We describe steps to cure and functionalize elastomer microwells and to isolate and embed primary adipocytes. We then detail how to culture and analyze adipocyte-collagen gels. This protocol provides broad applications to improve our understanding of adipocyte biology in health and disease.
Keywords: Biotechnology and bioengineering; Cell Biology; Material sciences; Metabolism; Tissue Engineering.
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