Mammary gland organoids

Abstract

The study of the mechanisms that regulate development and tumorigenesis is a complex undertaking that requires a variety of model systems to test hypothesis that embrace all levels of organization: from single cells to organs. In the mammary gland field, the use of three-dimensional culture systems has provided a platform to study, in a physiologically relevant setting, cell biology in context. In the late 50’s methods to isolate primary mammary organoids were established and since then they have been increasingly used to understand cell behavior. In this chapter we embrace, in a historical perspective, the key findings carried out using primary mammary organoids considering that the broadening of our knowledge will, in the future, rely increasingly on this kind of tridimensional culture setting.