Developer's Guide to an Organ-on-Chip Model

ACS Biomater Sci Eng. 2022 Nov 14;8(11):4643-4647. doi: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c01536. Epub 2022 Jun 27.

Abstract

Over the past decade, organ-on-chip research has been one of the most prolific areas of the entire field of tissue engineering. The development of organ-on-chip models requires an integrated interdisciplinary approach merging technologies and concepts from several different disciplines, including microfabrication, microfluidics, biomaterials, stem cell science, pharma-/toxicology, and medicine. In this perspective, we follow the journey of an organ-on-chip through its many different stages, from (i) the initial idea/specific scientific question to (ii) the design/concept phase, (iii) the engineering (fabrication and materials, sensor/actuator integration) and (iv) biology considerations (cell sources, biomaterials/scaffold), (v) the cell injection and tissue assembly process, (vi) the assay development, and (vii) the functional validation, all the way to (viii) the final applications. By summarizing some of the key learnings and findings from a developer's perspective and identifying suitable introductory reviews, this perspective strives to provide a conceptual, stepwise guide for the holistic development of an organ-on-chip model.

Keywords: in vitro models; microfluidics; microphysiological systems; organ-on-chip; tissue chips; tissue engineering.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Lab-On-A-Chip Devices*
  • Microfluidics*
  • Stem Cells
  • Tissue Engineering

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials