Phage research in ‘organ-on-chip’ devices

Abstract

The use of ‘organ-on-chip' devices in microbiology research presents enormous opportunities for fundamental and translational research1–4. Yet these approaches have not been widely embraced by the microbiology field. This is particularly evident with bacteriophage (phage) research applications. Traditionally phage research has been an early adopter of experimental techniques and approaches5, having catalysed research in biotechnology, environmental biology, sequencing, and synthetic biology. Here we discuss some of the opportunities that organ-on-chip devices present to both phage and microbiology research, and provide a ‘how to' guide for researchers interested in utilising this approach.