Transforming Toxicity Assessment through Microphysiology, Bioprinting, and Computational Modeling

Abstract

Background: Traditional toxicity testing emphasizes animal models with growing concerns regarding predictive capacity, throughput and ethics. Rapid innovation surrounding human cell platforms, bioengineered tissues, omics techniques and computational tools offers more modern alternatives aligned with expanding knowledge of chemical biological pathways. These disruptive approaches promise immense potential to transform next-generation chemical safety assessment and drug development pipelines. Purpose: This review provides clinical researchers an updated, comprehensive perspective across evolving areas of focus in new toxicity testing methods with analysis of latest advances and translational context. Main Body: We survey progress in two- and three-dimensional human cell cultures recapitulating tissue/organ complexity impossible in conventional assays. Complementing this, computational modeling integrates structure-activity relationships, physicochemical properties and physiological interactions to predict pharmacokinetics and toxicity in silico. Expanding model organisms add further dimensionality and demographic relevance. High-throughput omics and imaging technologies unravel mechanisms and illuminate biomarkers undetectable by standard measures. Specialized techniques show high promise addressing toxicodynamic intricacies within disease contexts like diabetes and NAFLD. Evaluating traditional medicines and expanding phytochemicals likewise represents an area of growth well-suited for contemporary platforms. Future outlook weighs remarkable potential advantages in reducing animal testing demands, enabling precision toxicology links to clinical medicine and overhauling core chemical risk assessment frameworks. Conclusion: This review intends to catalyze discourse on strategic optimization priorities and roadmaps towards fully unlocking the immense yet still emerging public health potential of these disruptive techniques poising transformation in toxicity sciences centered on human-focused models.