Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include methods to form STC and STMC for use in determining presence of cancer, and methods to detect presence of cancer. In one embodiment, A portion of a STC is stained. The STC includes normal cells and cancer cells of a type of cancer co-cultured based on at least one cell culturing factors. The at least one co-culture factors includes a type of the cancer cells being cultured, a ratio of the cancer cells to the normal cells being co-cultured, seeding density of the normal cells and the cancer cells being co-cultured, a type of cell growth supplement used to facilitate culturing the cells, and a concentration of the cell growth supplement used to facilitate co-culturing the cells. The stained portion is observed to determine presence of one or more biomarker types that indicate presence of cancer.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include methods to improve yield of cultured cells of STC and STMC for use in determining presence of cancer, and methods to detect presence of cancer. In one embodiment, the method includes solidifying a fluidly gel to form a solid cell holder. The method also includes forming a cavity in the cell holder to hold co-cultured cells, the cell holder operable to hold a plurality of cell culture bags of co-cultured cells, the co-cultured cells comprising normal cells and cancer cells of a type of cancer. The method further includes depositing co-cultured cells from at least two of the plurality of cell culture bags of co-cultured cells in the cavity of the cell holder and processing the co-cultured cells to form the synthetic tissue control.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include methods to form STC and STMC for use in determining presence of cancer, and methods to detect presence of cancer. In one embodiment, A portion of a STC is stained. The STC includes normal cells and cancer cells of a type of cancer co-cultured based on at least one cell culturing factors. The at least one co-culture factors includes a type of the cancer cells being cultured, a ratio of the cancer cells to the normal cells being co-cultured, seeding density of the normal cells and the cancer cells being co-cultured, a type of cell growth supplement used to facilitate culturing the cells, and a concentration of the cell growth supplement used to facilitate co-culturing the cells. The stained portion is observed to determine presence of one or more biomarker types that indicate presence of cancer.