Setting up and loading 3D cell cultures. (a) Cell suspension is added dropwise on to scaffolds and incubated for 1–3 h for cell attachment, medium topped up and scaffolds incubated for cell growth. Scaffolds can be loaded from as early as 24 h after seeding. Loading may be applied by (b) vibration,55,56 (c) fluid flow,57,58,59,60,61,62 (d) compression64,65 or (e) strain.67,68