Researchers have made a significant advancement with a new cell culture platform that allows for the development of two separate but linked vascular networks. This innovation is expected to greatly enhance biomedical research. Organ-on-chips are microfluidic cell cultures that mimic human physiology, leading to lower drug development costs, a decrease in animal testing requirements, and the potential for personalized therapy.
A team of researchers at Tampere University has pioneered an innovative cell culture platform that supports the creation of two unique yet connected vascular networks. This advancement is poised to make a substantial impact on biomedical research. Organ-on-chips (OoC) utilize microfluidic technology to imitate human bodily functions, significantly lowering the costs associated with drug development, reducing the necessity for animal experiments, and paving the way for personalized medical treatments.
Researchers from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology (MET) at Tampere University have successfully designed a cell culture system that enables the interconnection of two cultivated vascular networks. These networks feature blood vessels that resemble human capillaries in both size and structure, allowing for the examination of human capillary systems in a lab environment.
“The creation of two unique, interconnected 3D microvascular networks is a remarkable advancement in our research. We can now integrate cells from various tissue types around these vascular networks—like liver cells (hepatocytes) and fat cells (adipocytes)—to investigate how cells interact within vascularized tissues,” explains Alma Yrjänäinen, a PhD student at the Centre of Excellence in Body-on-Chip Research at Tampere University.
Organ-on-chip (OoC) technology merges microfabrication techniques with cell biology to enable the exploration of tissue functionalities. These chips replicate the intricate microenvironment of human tissue by establishing either gravity-driven or pump-assisted fluid flow, which mimics the natural action of blood circulation. In addition, neurons and blood vessels can also be integrated into these models.
Experts believe that OoCs could significantly lower drug discovery costs, potentially by as much as 25%.
Furthermore, embracing OoC technology could greatly benefit national healthcare systems. However, more advancements are necessary before these ideas can be fully realized.
“Imagine a future where a single blood sample could lead to tailored treatment for conditions like hypertension. Stem cells from your blood could be utilized to create a vascular network in the lab. This network could then be used to determine which hypertension medications would be most effective for your specific cells, helping to avoid treatments that could be ineffective or harmful,” mentions Yrjänäinen.
What is organ-on-chip (OoC) technology?
- OoC technology is an interdisciplinary research area that emerged in the 2010s, aiming to construct models that replicate various human tissues.
- Thanks to advancements in stem cell technology, it is no longer necessary to isolate cells directly from a patient’s heart to develop a personalized heart model. These models can now be created from easily obtainable blood cells, which are first transformed into stem cells and then into heart cells.
- OoC models are employed to investigate diseases specific to tissues, enhance treatment options, assess drug reactions, and uncover new therapies.
- Additionally, OoC technology contributes to reducing or replacing the reliance on animal testing.
