An enzyme-free alcohol-based organoid harvesting solution

Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture is a more physiologically relevant model for drug development than two-dimensional (2D) cell culture. A common method to culture cells in 3D consists in embedding cells in synthetic or animal-based matrices that provide structural support for cell growth. They partially mimic <i>in vivo</i> conditions and enable scalable culture. Here, we introduce an alcohol-based <b>S</b>olution for <b>H</b>arvesting <b>O</b>rganoids <b>E</b>fficiently, denoted <b>SHOE</b>. We tested its harvesting potential on 2 cell lines grown as spheroids and 2 patient-derived organoids. It enables rapid, high-yield cell recovery, at room temperature (RT), and bypasses prolonged cold incubation of standard protocols. It preserves 3D structure and growth in subsequent passages.