Mimicking the Human Physiology with Microphysiological Systems (MPS)

Microphysiological systems (MPS), also known as organ-on-a-chip technology, combine cell culture models and microtechnology to mimic tissue microenvironment and provide improved physiological relevance of in vitro model systems. The unique advantage of MPS technology is manifested where multiple organs interact through complex mechanisms. Multi-organ MPS, or body-on-a-chip systems, aim to recapitulate organ interactions and provide a model of the whole body. Combination of the state-of-the-art microtechnology and mathematical modeling platforms to design and interpret multi-organ systems has contributed to the development of novel MPS for testing drugs and modeling diseases. Here, we summarize recent progress in the development of MPS, with emphasis on multi-organ MPS combined with mathematical models.