Building Biomaterials to Mimic 3D Cell–Cell Junctions

Cell–cell interactions typically occur in a 3D context that is distinct from conventional 2D cell-substrate interactions in a Petri dish. Here, we describe a benchtop method to combine a 2D extracellular matrix surface with a 3D, vertical boundary functionalized with the extracellular domain of E-cadherin. The methodology is suitable for any biology laboratory without requiring advanced microfabrication equipment or training. Overall, this cell-mimetic interface uniquely recapitulates key aspects of cell–cell adhesion and can serve as a versatile, reductionist technique to study general cell–cell interactions in a 3D context.