Human Organs Research Articles

Introduction of Hybrid Additive Manufacturing for Producing Multi-Material Artificial Organs for Education and In Vitro Testing

The evolution of 3D printing has ushered in accessibility and cost-effectiveness, spanning various industries including biomedical engineering, education, and microfluidics. In biomedical engineering, it encompasses bioprinting tissues, producing prosthetics, porous metal orthopedic implants, and facilitating educational models. Hybrid Additive Manufacturing approaches and, more specifically, the integration of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) with bio-inkjet printing offers the advantages of improved accuracy, structural support, and controlled geometry, yet challenges persist in cell survival, interaction, and nutrient delivery within printed structures. The goal of this study was to develop and present a low-cost way to produce physical phantoms of human organs that could be used for research and training, bridging the gap between the use of highly detailed computational phantoms and real-life clinical applications. To this purpose, this study utilized anonymized clinical Computed Tomography (CT) data to create a liver physical model using the Creality Ender-3 printer. Polylactic Acid (PLA), Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), and light-bodied silicone (Polysiloxane) materials were employed for printing the liver including its veins and arteries. In brief, PLA was used to create a mold of a liver to be filled with biocompatible light-bodied silicone. Molds of the veins and arteries were printed using PVA and then inserted in the liver model to create empty channel. In addition, the PVA was then washed out by the final product using warm water. Despite minor imperfections due to the printer’s limitations, the final product imitates the computational model accurately enough. Precision adjustments in the design phase compensated for this variation. The proposed novel low-cost 3D printing methodology successfully produced an anatomically accurate liver physical model, presenting promising applications in medical education, research, and surgical planning. Notably, its implications extend to medical training, personalized medicine, and organ transplantation. The technology’s potential includes injection training for medical professionals, personalized anthropomorphic phantoms for radiation therapy, and the future prospect of creating functional living organs for organ transplantation, albeit requiring significant interdisciplinary collaboration and financial investment. This technique, while showcasing immense potential in biomedical applications, requires further advancements and interdisciplinary cooperation for its optimal utilization in revolutionizing medical science and benefiting patient healthcare.

Advancements in non-invasive hyperspectral imaging: Mapping blood oxygen levels and vascular health for clinical and research applications

Oxygen content is crucial for the functioning of human body organs, as it plays a vital role in cellular respiration, which generates energy necessary for life-sustaining functions. The absence of adequate oxygen leads to cellular dysfunction and eventual organismal death due to energy deprivation.In this study, we designed a rapid, non-invasive, and non-contact custom hyperspectral imaging system to assess blood perfusion in arteries, capillaries, and veins across various human organs, including the arm, eye, and leg. The system recorded cube images consisting of multispectral image ranges, capturing spectral information in both the visible and infrared spectra. Segmentation of the visible spectrum (400 to 700 nm) and the infrared spectrum (700 to 1000 nm) facilitated the mapping of blood oxygen levels in the investigated samples.The estimated oxygen levels were calculated using the custom hyperspectral imaging system and associated algorithm, with validation and calibration performed against the gold standard pulse oximeter. Our results demonstrate that the custom hyperspectral imaging system accurately mapped blood perfusion and oxygen levels in organs, showing strong agreement with pulse oximeter measurements.This study underscores the utility of custom hyperspectral imaging in non-invasively assessing blood oxygenation and perfusion in human organs, offering a promising avenue for clinical diagnostics and monitoring of vascular health.

Pengembangan Video Pembelajaran Berbasis Literasi Sains Materi Organ Pencernaan Manusia dan Fungsinya Siswa Kelas VB Sekolah Dasar Negeri 58 Sungai Raya

This study aims to analyze the level of validity and practicality of learning videos based on scientific literacy on the material of the human digestive organs and their functions for class V Elementary School. The research method used is research and development (RnD) by adopting the Borg and Gall model with potential and problem steps, data collection, product design, design validation, design revision, product testing, and product revision. Quantitative data were obtained from the results of product assessments by the validator, the results of filling out the practicality questionnaire on videos by teachers and students. Qualitative data were obtained from suggestions or comments by validators, teachers and students. The research instrument is a questionnaire. The validity level of the video is based on the results of assessments by media experts and material experts while the practicality level of the video is based on the results of responses by teachers and students. The results of the validation level of scientific literacy-based learning videos on the material of the human digestive organs and their functions for class V Elementary School by media experts obtained an average of 4.06 in the "valid" category and material experts obtained an average of 3.79 in the "valid" category. The results of the practicality level of scientific literacy-based learning videos on the human digestive organs and their functions for class V Elementary School by teachers obtained an average of 4.48 in the "very practical" category and students obtained an average of 4.31 in the "very practical" category.

Development of Augmented Reality Media on PjBL Learning Model of Human Motion Organ Material to Improve Learning Outcomes

Development of Augmented Reality Media on PjBL Learning Model of Human Motion Organ Material to Improve Learning Outcomes

Application and challenge of pancreatic organoids in therapeutic research

The in-vivo non-human primate animal and in-vitro cell disease models play a crucial part in the study of the mechanisms underlying the occurrence and development of pancreatic diseases, but with increasingly prominent limitations with in-depth research. Organoids derived from human pluripotent and adult stem cells resemble human in-vivo organs in their cellular composition, spatial tissue structure and physiological function, making them as an advantageous research tool. Up until now, numerous human organoids, including pancreas, have been effectively developed, demonstrating significant potential for research in organ development, disease modeling, drug screening, and regenerative medicine. However, different from intestine, liver and other organs, the pancreas is the only special organ in the human body, consisting of an exocrine gland and an endocrine gland. Thus, the development of pancreatic organoid technology faces greater challenges, and how to construct a composite pancreatic organoid with exocrine and endocrine gland is still difficult in current research. By reviewing the fundamental architecture and physiological role of the human pancreas, along with the swiftly developing domain of pancreatic organoids, we summarize the method and characteristics of human pancreatic organoids, and its application in modeling pancreatic diseases, as a platform for individualized drug screening and in regenerative medicine study. As the first comprehensive review that focus on the pharmacological study of human pancreatic organoid, the review hopes to help scholars to have a deeper understanding in the study of pancreatic organoid.

New materials and complications of prostheses in humans: situation in Spain.

Prostheses or implantable medical devices (IMDs) are parts made of natural or artificial materials intended to replace a body structure and therefore must be well tolerated by living tissues. The types of IMDs currently available and usable are very varied and capable of replacing almost any human organ. A high but imprecise percentage of Spaniards are carriers of one or more IMDs to which they often owe their quality of life or survival. IMDs are constructed with different types of materials that are often combined in the same prosthesis. These materials must combine harmlessness to human tissues with high wear resistance. Their durability depends on many factors both on the host and the type of prosthesis, but the vast majority last for more than 10-15 years or remain in function for the lifetime of the patient. The most frequently implanted IMDs are placed in the heart or great vessels, joints, dental arches or breast and their most frequent complications are classified as non-infectious, particularly loosening or intolerance, and infectious. Complications, when they occur, lead to a significant increase in morbidity, their repair or replacement multiplies the health care cost and, on occasions, can cause the death of the patient. The fight against IMD complications is currently focused on the design of new materials that are more resistant to wear and infection and the use of antimicrobial substances that are released from these materials. Their production requires multidisciplinary technical teams, but also a willingness on the part of industry and health authorities that is not often found in Spain or in most European nations. Scientific production on prostheses and IMD in Spain is estimated to be less than 2% of the world total, and probably below what corresponds to our level of socio-economic development. The future of IMDs involves, among other factors, examining the potential role of Artificial Intelligence in their design, knowledge of tissue regeneration, greater efficiency in preventing infections and taking alternative treatments beyond antimicrobials, such as phage therapy. For these and other reasons, the Ramón Areces Foundation convened a series of experts in different fields related to prostheses and IMDs who answered and discussed a series of questions previously formulated by the Scientific Council. The following lines are the written testimony of these questions and the answers to them.

Variation in cancer risk between organs can not be explained by the degree of somatic clonal expansion

Somatic clonal expansion refers to the proliferation and expansion of a cell clone within a multicellular organism. Since cancer also results from the uncontrolled proliferation of few cell clones, it is generally believed that aging-associated somatic clonal expansion observed in normal tissues represents a precancerous condition. For instance, hematological malignancy is often preceded by clonal hematopoiesis. However, the precise connection between cancer and somatic clonal expansion remains elusive in solid organs. In this study, we utilized a straightforward method to assess the relative quantitative degrees of clonal expansion in nine human organs. Our findings reveal that the degree of clonal expansion varies across different organs while remaining consistent among different individuals. Contrary to the general belief, we did not identify any significant correlation between lifetime cancer risk and the degree of lifetime somatic clonal expansion. For example, the lifetime risk of colorectal cancer is approximately 20 times higher than that of esophageal cancer, yet the former exhibited the lower degree of clonal expansion than the latter. Our results suggest that somatic clonal expansion represents an evolutionary process distinct from carcinogenesis in normal tissues, providing novel perspectives on precancerous conditions.

CRISPR-Cas Genome Editing in Ex Vivo Human Lungs to Rewire the Translational Path of Genome-Targeting Therapeutics.

The ongoing advancements in CRISPR-Cas technologies can significantly accelerate the preclinical development of both invivo and ex vivo organ genome-editing therapeutics. One of the promising applications is to genetically modify donor organs prior to implantation. The implantation of optimized donor organs with long-lasting immunomodulatory capacity holds promise for reducing the need for lifelong potent whole-body immunosuppression in recipients. However, assessing genome-targeting interventions in a clinically relevant manner prior to clinical trials remains a major challenge owing to the limited modalities available. This study introduces a novel platform for testing genome editing in human lungs ex vivo, effectively simulating preimplantation genetic engineering of donor organs. We identified gene regulatory elements whose disruption via Cas nucleases led to the upregulation of the immunomodulatory gene interleukin 10 (IL-10). We combined this approach with adenoviral vector-mediated IL-10 delivery to create favorable kinetics for early (immediate postimplantation) graft immunomodulation. Using ex vivo organ machine perfusion and precision-cut tissue slice technology, we demonstrated the feasibility of evaluating CRISPR genome editing in human lungs. To overcome the assessment limitations in ex vivo perfused human organs, we conducted an invivo rodent study and demonstrated both early gene induction and sustained editing of the lung. Collectively, our findings lay the groundwork for a first-in-human-organ study to overcome the current translational barriers of genome-targeting therapeutics.

Vitamin D and Risk of Incident Type 2 Diabetes in Older Adults: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Vitamin D deficiency is very common worldwide, particularly in old age, when people are at the highest risk of the negative adverse consequences of hypovitaminosis D. Additionally to the recognized functions in the regulation of calcium absorption, bone remodeling, and bone growth, vitamin D plays a key role as a hormone, which is supported by various enzymatic, physiological, metabolic, and pathophysiological processes related to various human organs and systems. Accruing evidence supports that vitamin D plays a key role in pancreatic islet dysfunction and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. From an epidemiological viewpoint, numerous studies suggest that the growing incidence of type 2 diabetes in humans may be linked to the global trend of prevalent vitamin D insufficiency. In the past, this association has raised discussions due to the equivocal results, which lately have been more convincing of the true role of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention of incident type 2 diabetes. Most meta-analyses evaluating this role have been conducted in adults or young older persons (50-60 years old), with only one focusing on older populations, even if this is the population at greater risk of both hypovitaminosis D and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, we conducted an update of the previous systematic review and meta-analysis examining whether hypovitaminosis D (low serum 25OHD levels) can predict incident diabetes in prospective longitudinal studies among older adults. We found that low 25OHD was associated with incident diabetes in older adults even after adjusting for several relevant potential confounders, confirming and updating the results of the only previous meta-analysis conducted in 2017.

Acquisition of epithelial plasticity in human chronic liver disease

For many adult human organs, tissue regeneration during chronic disease remains a controversial subject. Regenerative processes are easily observed in animal models, and their underlying mechanisms are becoming well characterized1–4, but technical challenges and ethical aspects are limiting the validation of these results in humans. We decided to address this difficulty with respect to the liver. This organ displays the remarkable ability to regenerate after acute injury, although liver regeneration in the context of recurring injury remains to be fully demonstrated. Here we performed single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) on 47 liver biopsies from patients with different stages of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease to establish a cellular map of the liver during disease progression. We then combined these single-cell-level data with advanced 3D imaging to reveal profound changes in the liver architecture. Hepatocytes lose their zonation and considerable reorganization of the biliary tree takes place. More importantly, our study uncovers transdifferentiation events that occur between hepatocytes and cholangiocytes without the presence of adult stem cells or developmental progenitor activation. Detailed analyses and functional validations using cholangiocyte organoids confirm the importance of the PI3K–AKT–mTOR pathway in this process, thereby connecting this acquisition of plasticity to insulin signalling. Together, our data indicate that chronic injury creates an environment that induces cellular plasticity in human organs, and understanding the underlying mechanisms of this process could open new therapeutic avenues in the management of chronic diseases.

A Flexible Fibrin‐Based Platform for Driving One‐Day Self‐Assembly of Millimeter‐Sized Cell‐Rich Spheroids and Their Applications: An Old Material with New Tricks

AbstractCell‐rich spheroids have gained increasing applications due to their ability to mimic the 3D microenvironment of real tissues. Given human organ dimensions, millimeter‐sized (>1 mm) spheroids are more clinically valuable than micro‐sized ones (<500 µm). However, constructing millimeter‐sized spheroids faces the primary challenge of core necrosis due to insufficient nutrient diffusion during long‐term in vitro cultivation (>3 days). Developing rapid spheroid fabrication strategies can address the issue but remains challenging. Here, a flexible fibrin‐based platform for rapid fabrication of the spheroids is developed using a one‐step manufacturing technology. Cell‐laden fibrin hydrogels are polymerized from cell‐containing fibrinogen by thrombin‐catalyzed reactions within minutes and cultured in an agarose‐coated plate. Benefiting from the unique viscoelasticity, softness, and cell adhesion natures of fibrin, the expression levels of several cellular junction proteins are significantly upregulated compared to the scaffold‐free spheroids. As a result, cells rapidly self‐assemble into 1–15 mm‐sized spheroids within 6–24 h, accommodating high cell density (6 × 104 cells µL−1) without leakage. The spheroid formation platform is also flexible for various cell densities and cell types. Moreover, the spheroids effectively mimic the 3D tissue niches, showing promising potential in tumor drug screening with MCF‐7 spheroids and liver regeneration with HepG2 spheroids.

Clinical Trial Protocol for Porcine Islet Xenotransplantation in South Korea.

Islet transplantation holds promise for treating selected type 1 diabetes mellitus patients, yet the scarcity of human donor organs impedes widespread adoption. Porcine islets, deemed a viable alternative, recently demonstrated successful longterm survival without zoonotic risks in a clinically relevant pig-to-non-human primate islet transplantation model. This success prompted the development of a clinical trial protocol for porcine islet xenotransplantation in humans. A single-center, open-label clinical trial initiated by the sponsor will assess the safety and efficacy of porcine islet transplantation for diabetes patients at Gachon Hospital. The protocol received approval from the Gachon Hospital Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) under the Investigational New Drug (IND) process. Two diabetic patients, experiencing inadequate glycemic control despite intensive insulin treatment and frequent hypoglycemic unawareness, will be enrolled. Participants and their family members will engage in deliberation before xenotransplantation during the screening period. Each patient will receive islets isolated from designated pathogen-free pigs. Immunosuppressants and systemic infection prophylaxis will follow the program schedule. The primary endpoint is to confirm the safety of porcine islets in patients, and the secondary endpoint is to assess whether porcine islets can reduce insulin dose and the frequency of hypoglycemic unawareness. A clinical trial protocol adhering to global consensus guidelines for porcine islet xenotransplantation is presented, facilitating streamlined implementation of comparable human trials worldwide.

Developing organs-on-chips for biomedical applications.

In recent years, organs-on-chips have been arousing great interest for their bionic and stable construction of crucial human organs in vitro. Compared with traditional animal models and two-dimensional cell models, organs-on-chips could not only overcome the limitations of species difference and poor predict ability but also be capable of reappearing the complex cell-cell interaction, tissue interface, biofluid and other physiological conditions of humans. Therefore, organs-on-chips have been regarded as promising and powerful tools in diverse fields such as biology, chemistry, medicine and so on. In this perspective, we present a review of organs-on-chips for biomedical applications. After introducing the key elements and manufacturing craft of organs-on-chips, we intend to review their cut-edging applications in biomedical fields, incorporating biological analysis, drug development, robotics and so on. Finally, the emphasis is focused on the perspectives of organs-on-chips.

In vitro immunity: an overview of immunocompetent organ-on-chip models.

Impressive advances have been made to replicate human physiology in vitro over the last few years due to the growth of the organ-on-chip (OoC) field in both industrial and academic settings. OoCs are a type of microphysiological system (MPS) that imitates functional and dynamic aspects of native human organ biology on a microfluidic device. Organoids and organotypic models, ranging in their complexity from simple single-cell to complex multi-cell type constructs, are being incorporated into OoC microfluidic devices to better mimic human physiology. OoC technology has now progressed to the stage at which it has received official recognition by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as an alternative to standard procedures in drug development, such as animal studies and traditional in vitro assays. However, an area that is still lagging behind is the incorporation of the immune system, which is a critical element required to investigate human health and disease. In this review, we summarise the progress made to integrate human immunology into various OoC systems, specifically focusing on models related to organ barriers and lymphoid organs. These models utilise microfluidic devices that are either commercially available or custom-made. This review explores the difference between the use of innate and adaptive immune cells and their role for modelling organ-specific diseases in OoCs. Immunocompetent multi-OoC models are also highlighted and the extent to which they recapitulate systemic physiology is discussed. Together, the aim of this review is to describe the current state of immune-OoCs, the limitations and the future perspectives needed to improve the field.

Bone and Joint-on-Chip Platforms: Construction Strategies and Applications.

Organ-on-a-chip, also known as "tissue chip," is an advanced platform based on microfluidic systems for constructing miniature organ models in vitro. They can replicate the complex physiological and pathological responses of human organs. In recent years, the development of bone and joint-on-chip platforms aims to simulate the complex physiological and pathological processes occurring in human bones and joints, including cell-cell interactions, the interplay of various biochemical factors, the effects of mechanical stimuli, and the intricate connections between multiple organs. In the future, bone and joint-on-chip platforms will integrate the advantages of multiple disciplines, bringing more possibilities for exploring disease mechanisms, drug screening, and personalized medicine. This review explores the construction and application of Organ-on-a-chip technology in bone and joint disease research, proposes a modular construction concept, and discusses the new opportunities and future challenges in the construction and application of bone and joint-on-chip platforms.

The African Guiding Principles on the Rights of Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers (Afr. Comm'n H.P.R.)

In its 75th ordinary session, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR, or Commission), the human rights organ of the African Union, with a mandate to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights and interpret the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, unanimously adopted the African Guiding Principles on the Human Rights of Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers (Guiding Principles). They were publicly launched by the Commission at its 77th ordinary session on October 21, 2023. The drafting was led by the Commission's Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons, and Migrants in Africa. The thirty-eight Guiding Principles are based largely on African regional treaty law, case law, standards, and resolutions of the Commission and also draw from complementary international law. In addition, the Guiding Principles draw from the experience of other world regions, including adoption by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (the human rights organ of the Organization for American States) of the 2019 Inter-American Principles on the Human Rights of All Migrants, Refugees, Stateless Persons, and Victims of Human Trafficking.

P33 Skinvaders: gamification of the skin barrier to engage school-age children in the biology of the skin

Abstract Introduction and aims Public engagement is an essential part of research design. It provides opportunities for both scientists and the public to learn, and inspires the next generation of researchers. We are fortunate to have a public engagement centre within our institution, which contains digital games, an established and effective way to engage children. We developed a new game for school-age children to engage them in the Paediatric Human Cell Atlas, a collaborative project that aims to map single-cell profiles and spatial characterization of gene expression across human tissues and organs throughout development. Our aim was to develop a game that involved different skin cell types, variation in skin colour and common skin disorders. Methods Initial steps included brainstorming with our public engagement staff about content and then developing a lay summary and agreeing on the following key themes: the skin as a barrier, the cells of the skin, and eczema, a common skin disorder. The game was based on the arcade game Breakout. It features a customizable paddle representing the skin, demonstrating how changes in quantities of different skin components can change appearance/function (e.g. melanin production, adipocytes, hair follicles), which players must move across the screen to keep pathogens and allergens out and keep water and protein in. In the last level, barrier function is impaired by eczema and the children can catch cream to repair the barrier. Results The game was developed for our public engagement centre where it has undergone testing by target audiences. Conclusions We have created a game as an innovative way to engage and educate paediatric communities in our research. It was challenging to simplify scientific content for use in a game while staying true to the scientific concepts. We will increase reach by adapting the game for desktop and app-based formats.

Humans vs. Fungi: An Overview of Fungal Pathogens against Humans.

Human fungal diseases are infections caused by any fungus that invades human tissues, causing superficial, subcutaneous, or systemic diseases. Fungal infections that enter various human tissues and organs pose a significant threat to millions of individuals with weakened immune systems globally. Over recent decades, the reported cases of invasive fungal infections have increased substantially and research progress in this field has also been rapidly boosted. This review provides a comprehensive list of human fungal pathogens extracted from over 850 recent case reports, and a summary of the relevant disease conditions and their origins. Details of 281 human fungal pathogens belonging to 12 classes and 104 genera in the divisions ascomycota, basidiomycota, entomophthoromycota, and mucoromycota are listed. Among these, Aspergillus stands out as the genus with the greatest potential of infecting humans, comprising 16 species known to infect humans. Additionally, three other genera, Curvularia, Exophiala, and Trichophyton, are recognized as significant genera, each comprising 10 or more known human pathogenic species. A phylogenetic analysis based on partial sequences of the 28S nrRNA gene (LSU) of human fungal pathogens was performed to show their phylogenetic relationships and clarify their taxonomies. In addition, this review summarizes the recent advancements in fungal disease diagnosis and therapeutics.

Preparation of biomolecular anthocyanin-immobilized plasma-cured nonwoven fibers from pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) and recycled cotton waste for detection of ammonia

Cotton fibers have been one of the major resources for various modern textile and non-textile industries. They are breathable, soft, and high absorbent natural fibers with a low production cost. Cotton fibers have found uses in a wide range of fields, such as medical field, automobile industry, and furniture design. However, there have been increasing demands to find out other resources for cotton production at high quality and low cost for high technological applications, such as colorimetric sensors. In this work, we provide a novel technique for plasma-induced coloring of nonwoven recycled cotton waste with an anthocyanin natural probe obtained from pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to study the anthocyanin extract. Mordant was employed to bind anthocyanin to nonwoven fibers, creating an anthocyanin-mordant coordinative complex. The diameters of the anthocyanin-mordant complex particles were between 5 and 15 nm. A small coating layer of anthocyanin probe was applied to plasma-activated nonwoven cotton. Coloration parameters, absorbance spectra, and colorimetric strength (K/S) data showed that anthocyanin-finished nonwoven cotton had a detection limit of 1–250 ppb of aqueous ammonia, with a corresponding colorimetric change from purple (549 nm) to white (393 nm) due to intramolecular charge transfer. The results demonstrated satisfactory colorfastness of the anthocyanin-dyed nonwoven cotton fibers, UV blocking, and antibacterial efficacy. Promising portable colorimetric technology of anthocyanin-dyed nonwoven cotton fibers was developed for onsite detection of ammonia that can cause severely harmful effects on human organs or even death. Signs of a high surface area in the sensor material include anthocyanin-mordant complex nanoparticles and cotton microfibers.

Multi-cellular engineered living systems to assess reproductive toxicology

Toxicants and some drugs can negatively impact reproductive health. Many toxicants haven’t been tested due to lack of available models. The impact of many drugs taken during pregnancy to address maternal health may adversely affect fetal development with life-long effects and clinical trials do not examine toxicity effects on the maternal-fetal interface, requiring indirect assessment of safety and efficacy. Due to current gaps in reproductive toxicological knowledge and limitations of animal models, multi-cellular engineered living systems may provide solutions for modeling reproductive physiology and pathology for chemical and xenobiotic toxicity studies. Multi-cellular engineered living systems, such as microphysiological systems (MPS) and organoids, model of functional units of tissues. In this review, we highlight the key functions and structures of human reproductive organs and well-known representative toxicants afflicting these systems. We then discuss current approaches and specific studies where scientists have used MPS or organoids to recreate in vivo markers and cellular responses of the female and male reproductive system, as well as pregnancy-associated placenta formation and embryo development. We provide specific examples of organoids and organ-on-chip that have been used for toxicological purposes with varied success. Finally, we address current issues related to usage of MPS, emerging techniques for improving upon these complications, and improvements needed to make MPS more capable in assessing reproductive toxicology. Overall, multi-cellular engineered living systems have considerable promise to serve as a suitable, alternative reproductive biological model compared to animal studies and 2D culture.