Organ-on-chip technology: Opportunities and challenges

Abstract

Organ-on-chip (OOC) technology is an innovative approach that reproduces human organ structures and functions on microfluidic platforms, offering detailed insights into intricate physiological processes. This technology provides unique advantages over conventional in vitro and in vivo models and thus has the potential to become the new standard for biomedical research and drug screening. In this mini-review, we compare OOCs with conventional models, highlighting their differences, and present several applications of OOCs in biomedical research. Additionally, we highlight advancements in OOC technology, particularly in developing multiorgan systems, and discuss the challenges and future directions of this field.

Keywords: 2D/3D culture models; Gut-on-Chip; Kidney-on-chip; Liver-on-chip; Lung-on-chip; Microfluidics; Organs-on-chips (OOCs).

Fig. 1

Illustration depicting preclinical models employed in biomedical research. Conventional 2D/3D cell cultures facilitate rapid and reliable drug response but their ability to fully replicate the physiology and pathology of living organs is limited. Animal models faithfully mimic physiological aspects but lack human compatibility. Microfluidic OOC platforms offer an experimentally controllable cell culture within an organotypic microarchitectural environment, providing a more physiologically significant platform.

Fig. 2

Illustration depicting various configurations of OOC technology: (a) A single OOC represents a standalone model, showcasing the isolation and study of an individual organ's microenvironment. (b) A schematic illustrating a modular MOC, demonstrating the interconnectedness of multiple OOC modules to study the interactions between different organs. (c) A diagram depicting an integrated MOC, exemplifying a unified platform where multiple organ systems are interconnected in a single chip, allowing for more comprehensive studies of physiological responses. (d) Visualization of an integrated body-on-chip, representing a holistic approach with multiple organs integrated into a chip to simulate the complexity of the human body. This provides a platform for advanced studies on drug response, personalized medicine, and disease mechanisms.

Fig. 3

Schematic diagram depicting the multifaceted opportunities offered by OOC technology in the realms of drug response, personalized medicine, elucidation of disease mechanisms, and drug screening. The figure showcases the potential versatility of OOC platform in mimicking human organ microenvironments, enabling drug screening, studying drug responses and doses tailored to individual patients, and providing insights into the intricate mechanisms underlying diseases. This integrated approach holds the potential for advancing precision medicine and accelerating the drug discovery process.