Simulation and modeling of physiological processes of vital organs in organ-on-a-chip biosystem

Abstract

The limited adequacy of animal cell cultures and models to mimic the complexity of human bodies in laboratory conditions has emphasized researchers to find its quintessential bioelectronic alternative with improved competence. In this regard, tissue engineering has emerged as one of the most precise biomaterial technologies in terms of creating new tissues to model vital organs. An organ-on-a-chip biosystem has shown a plethora of applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery. Organ-on-a-chip is a microfluidic device that provides a completely controlled microenvironment, similar to the natural tissues for the cultured cells of an organ, by amalgamating cell biology and biomaterial science. The device contains several microchambers and microchannels embedded in a layer of a biocompatible polymer, such as polydimethylsiloxane. Microchambers house the cells, while microchannels provide nutrients and growth factors. Over the past few years, organ-on-a-chip technology has displayed ample applications in the field of biomedicine, not only by simulating the normal functions of disparate organs, but also by understanding the inter-relation between diversified systems. In this review, we have spotlighted recent advancements and applications of organ-on-a-chip biosystems to construct physiological models for the heart, lung, kidney, liver, and brain. Part of this review is also concentrated on abridging the desperate essentiality as well as future perspectives of organ-on-a-chip technology in biomedicine, disease modeling, and drug development process.