Abstract
Microfluidic mixing techniques are versatile and facile tools for improving reproducible production of pharmaceutics on one side and mimicking a complex cellular microenvironment on the other. In the first part of this chapter a summary of nanoparticulate drug delivery systems synthesized by microfluidic mixing is given. Different nanocarrier systems such as polymers, lipids, or a combinatorial approach, known as hybrid systems, are discussed in terms of advantages and disadvantages. The second part focuses on microfluidic systems as 3D cell culture models. The synergy of microfluidics and 3D cell culture enables mimicking of in vivo microenvironments while avoiding animal experiments. Complex organ-on-a-chip devices are accordingly developed to imitate human organs. The organ-on-a-chip platform facilitates novel drug screening possibilities. The ultimate goal of combining multiple organ-on-a-chip platforms would result in a human-body-on-chip, imitating the whole body, including several types of tissues and organs. This overall aim of microfluidic platforms is to improve patient outcomes by detecting individual diseases and discovering tailor-made therapies.
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