Organ on a chip
- Organ-on-a-chip is a microfluidic device that aims to mimic the structure and function of specific human organs or tissues in vitro.
- It is a small, transparent chip made of biocompatible materials such as silicon, glass, or polymers, and contains tiny channels lined with living cells.
- The living cells are derived from human tissues and can be cultured to replicate the microenvironment of the specific organ being modelled.
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· Most of the materials used to create organ-on-a-chip devices need to be optically clear for viewing and imaging purposes, although whether they are stiff or flexible depends on the use of the device. The materials must also have the right chemistry and reactivity so as to not improperly affect the system. Glass and silicone have been used as materials for microfluidic devices. A commonly used soft, synthetic polymer is polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). It is optically clear, easy to stretch and easy to fabricate and has high oxygen permeability. Organ-on-a-chip systems that need to be mechanically stable can use thermoplastics such as polystyrene. They are stiff materials with stable surface chemistries. Other synthetic polymers used in making organ-on-a-chip systems are PMMA and polycarbonate. Natural materials, such as collagen, in the form of hydrogels have been used in organ-on-a-chip systems to assist cell organization. In some cases, biodegradable materials are desired as scaffolds in the system. Materials such as PLGA and polydioxanone (PDO) are thus used.
· A major requirement for the materials used in organ-on-a-chip systems is that they need to be able to be manufactured with small details. A major technique for manufacture is soft lithography, which normally uses PDMS as the material for chips. Hot embossing and injection molding are also used to make devices from thermoplastics. 2D printing now appears promising for constructing organ-on-a-chip systems.
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How does it work?
- Microfluidic channels simulation: Each organ-on-a-chip contains a complex network of microfluidic channels and chambers that can simulate the mechanical and chemical environment of a specific organ.
- Mimics the blood flow: The microfluidic channels can mimic the flow of blood and air, while the living cells provide a realistic environment for drug testing and disease modelling.
Potential applications of organ-on-a-chip
- Organ-on-a-chip technology has numerous potential applications, including drug development, disease modelling, and toxicity testing.
- By replicating the structure and function of human organs, researchers can study how organs interact with drugs and other compounds.
- This could lead to the development of more effective and personalized treatments for a variety of diseases.
- Additionally, organ-on-a-chip technology provides a more ethical and effective approach to testing drugs and other compounds, reducing the reliance on animal testing.
Examples
Several examples of organ-on-a-chip technology have been developed, including-
- Lung-on-a-chip mimics the air-blood interface in the lungs
- Heart-on-a-chip mimics the mechanical and electrical properties of the heart
- Liver-on-a-chip replicates the metabolic activity of the liver
- Brain-on-a-chip models the blood-brain barrier and neural activity in the brain
Future prospects
- Organ-on-a-chip technology is a promising and rapidly evolving field that offers numerous advantages over traditional drug development and testing methods.
- It provides a more ethical and effective approach to testing drugs and other compounds, reducing the reliance on animal testing.
- Furthermore, it has the potential to revolutionize the field of drug development by enabling more personalized and effective treatments for a variety of diseases.
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