Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Vardhman Kumar, Sajeesh Kumar Madhurakkat Perikamana, Aleksandra Tata, Jiaul Hoque, Anna Gilpin, Purushothama Rao Tata, Shyni Varghese
Summary: The gas exchange units of the lung, called alveoli, are mechanically active during breathing and undergo deformations. The epithelial cells lining the alveoli reduce surface tension through surfactant secretion, which is influenced by mechanical cues associated with breathing. These heterogeneous mechanical cues have been linked to various physiological and pathological states. In this study, a microfluidically assisted lung cell culture model was developed to mimic the respiratory motions of the alveoli. The effects of respiratory biomechanics and strain heterogeneity on alveolar epithelial cell functions were examined. Additionally, the potential application of this platform to model lung pathogenesis and ventilator-induced lung injury was assessed.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Giridharan Muniraj, Rachel Hui Shuen Tan, Yichen Dai, Ruige Wu, Massimo Alberti, Gopu Sriram
Summary: Researchers have developed an in vitro microphysiological platform to mimic the complex microenvironment of gingiva. The platform allows for the biofabrication of stable gingival equivalents under long-term and air-liquid interface culture with flow conditions. The platform also models a diseased state with disrupted barrier function and assesses the transmucosal permeation of oral-care formulations. The platform provides a miniaturized and integrated platform for host-material and host-microbiome applications in gingival and oral mucosa research.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Argus M. Sun, Tyler Hoffman, Bao Q. Luu, Nureddin Ashammakhi, Song Li
Summary: Efforts are focused on refining and adapting in vitro human microphysiological systems for mechanistic studies and drug screening during the COVID-19 pandemic, with emphasis on modeling pathological processes and addressing practical design and fabrication issues in MPS. The role of lung MPS in multi-organ models is discussed, along with the integration of high-throughput screening and artificial intelligence to accelerate drug development for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
BIO-DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Jennifer H. Hammel, Sophie R. Cook, Maura C. Belanger, Jennifer M. Munson, Rebecca R. Pompano
Summary: Modeling immunity in vitro is a powerful tool for investigating biological questions, guiding therapy and vaccine development, and gaining new insights into disease progression. More primary immune tissue models are needed to advance the field. The expansion of patient-specific models may help understand immune system variances and address emerging diseases more effectively.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING, VOL 23, 2021
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jingyu Fu, Hailong Qiu, Cherie S. Tan
Summary: Drug discovery is a costly and complex process, and efficient methods are needed to screen potential compounds and remove toxic substances. The liver plays a crucial role in determining drug efficacy and potential side effects. The liver-on-a-chip platform based on microfluidic technology has gained attention for its ability to predict drug metabolism and hepatotoxicity, as well as study pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics when combined with other organ-on-chip systems.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Perizat Kanabekova, Adina Kadyrova, Gulsim Kulsharova
Summary: Mortality from liver disease is high and prompt measures are crucial. Microfluidic organs-on-chip platforms offer potential for studying the pathophysiology of liver diseases in vitro and evaluating drug efficacy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of liver disease modeling using microphysiological platforms, including cell signaling pathways, cell culture techniques, disease types, and design challenges with existing solutions.
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Daniel Vera, Maria Garcia-Diaz, Nuria Torras, Mar Alvarez, Rosa Villa, Elena Martinez
Summary: Researchers have integrated hydrogels into microfluidic setups to develop tissue barrier-on-chips that accurately account for different cellular and acellular compartments, including the cellular components and functionality of in vivo tissues. These platforms have the potential to greatly improve the predictive capacities of in vitro systems in applications such as drug development or disease modeling, but face challenges in microfabrication.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zhun Lin, Zhengyu Zou, Zhe Pu, Minhao Wu, Yuanqing Zhang
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated antiviral research, with microfluidic technologies playing a crucial role in SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis and drug development. This review highlights the structure of SARS-CoV-2 and the basics of microfluidic design. It discusses the application of microfluidic devices in SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, emphasizing their contribution to the manufacturing of accurate, sensitive, low-cost, and user-friendly virus-detection devices. Additionally, it explores the use of organ-on-a-chip and lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) synthesizing chips in antiviral drug screening and mRNA vaccine preparation, showcasing the potential of microfluidic technologies in ongoing research efforts and future viral outbreaks.
ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA B
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Amin Mansoorifar, Ryan Gordon, Raymond C. Bergan, Luiz E. Bertassoni
Summary: Bone is a dynamic organ capable of adapting to changes in the body and repairing damaged tissue, but diseases like osteoporosis and metastatic cancers can compromise its function. Microfluidic technologies and organ-on-a-chip models provide more realistic tissue culture conditions, allowing for a better understanding of bone biology, diseases, and treatments. These advanced models offer potential for improved research in bone-related fields.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Anagha Rama Varma, Parinaz Fathi
Summary: Organ-on-a-chip devices are powerful modeling systems that can mimic the structures and physiological conditions of human organs. The latest development is the production of vascularized organ-on-a-chip devices, which can more accurately reproduce conditions in the human body.
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Sung-Min Kang
Summary: Microphysiological systems are in vitro models of tissues and organs that help in understanding human physiology and pathophysiology by replicating specific organ structures and functions. Recent advances in these systems using microfluidic technologies allow for deeper insights into complex in vivo physiological phenomena and mechanisms.
Review
Neurosciences
Paul M. Holloway, Sandrine Willaime-Morawek, Richard Siow, Melissa Barber, Roisin M. Owens, Anup D. Sharma, Wendy Rowan, Eric Hill, Michele Zagnoni
Summary: Neurological disorders are a significant cause of disability and death globally, with drug development in neurology facing challenges. Advances in microfluidic technologies have allowed for detailed study of human cells, leading to insights into neuronal biology and disease mechanisms. These technologies hold great potential for future investigation into neurological diseases.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Ian T. Whelan, E. Moeendarbary, David A. Hoey, Daniel J. Kelly
Summary: The emerging microphysiological systems (MPS) technology allows for the engineering of more physiologically relevant vasculature in vitro, potentially impacting the development of bone research. Engineering vasculature within the specific design constraints of the bone niche is challenging. Researchers are working towards providing technical guidance for the biofabrication of vascularised bone tissue within MPS devices.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Katherine S. Elvira
Summary: Introducing the advantages and disadvantages, showcasing applications in drug discovery and development, discussing the transfer from academia to industry, and exploring the potential for a paradigm shift in drug discovery and development with microfluidic technologies.
TRENDS IN PHARMACOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
Hojjatollah Nazari, Jesus Shrestha, Vahid Yaghoubi Naei, Sajad Razavi Bazaz, Milad Sabbagh, Jean Paul Thiery, Majid Ebrahimi Warkiani
Summary: Biological barriers are multicellular structures that regulate the transport of various substances. Transendothelial/epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) is a label-free method used to predict barrier properties. Integrating TEER measurement with organ-on-a-chip technology provides valuable insight into barrier behavior and enhances TEER measurement accuracy. This review discusses the applications, advantages, and future perspectives of integrating organ-on-a-chip technology with TEER measurement methods.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2023)