Abstract: The invention relates to self-assembled peptide hydrogel spheroids, with a diameter of between 500 and 2500 ?m, comprising cells encapsulated within said hydrogel. The invention further relates to in vitro methods of producing a hydrogel spheroid comprising cells, the method comprising: a) mixing a suspension of cells with a self-assembling peptide, and b) transferring an aliquot of the mixture obtained in step a) into an aqueous salt solution by applying a droplet of the mixture to the surface of the solution thereby forming a hydrogel spheroid comprising encapsulated cells, wherein the droplet has a volume of between 0.1 and 20 ?l. and wherein the droplet comprises cells at a concentration of between 1×105 to 5×107 cells per ml solution.