Premium
Long‐Term Electrical and Mechanical Function Monitoring of a Human‐on‐a‐Chip System
Author(s) -
Oleaga Carlota,
Lavado Andrea,
Riu Anne,
Rothemund Sandra,
CarmonaMoran Carlos A.,
Persaud Keisha,
Yurko Andrew,
Lear Jennifer,
Narasimhan Narasimhan Sriram,
Long Christopher J.,
Sommerhage Frank,
Bridges Lee Richard,
Cai Yunqing,
Martin Candace,
Schnepper Mark T.,
Goswami Arindom,
Note Reine,
Langer Jessica,
Teissier Silvia,
Cotovio José,
Hickman James J.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201805792
Subject(s) - materials science , term (time) , nanotechnology , function (biology) , chip , systems engineering , electrical engineering , engineering , physics , quantum mechanics , evolutionary biology , biology
Abstract The goal of human‐on‐a‐chip systems is to capture multiorgan complexity and predict the human response to compounds within physiologically relevant platforms. The generation and characterization of such systems is currently a focal point of research given the long‐standing inadequacies of conventional techniques for predicting human outcome. Functional systems can measure and quantify key cellular mechanisms that correlate with the physiological status of a tissue, and can be used to evaluate therapeutic challenges utilizing many of the same endpoints used in animal experiments or clinical trials. Culturing multiple organ compartments in a platform creates a more physiologic environment (organ–organ communication). Here is reported a human 4‐organ system composed of heart, liver, skeletal muscle, and nervous system modules that maintains cellular viability and function over 28 days in serum‐free conditions using a pumpless system. The integration of noninvasive electrical evaluation of neurons and cardiac cells and mechanical determination of cardiac and skeletal muscle contraction allows the monitoring of cellular function, especially for chronic toxicity studies in vitro. The 28‐day period is the minimum timeframe for animal studies to evaluate repeat dose toxicity. This technology can be a relevant alternative to animal testing by monitoring multiorgan function upon long‐term chemical exposure.