Microphysiological Systems

Microphysiological systems (MPS), such as organ-on-chip technology, are a collection of engineering breakthroughs aimed at recreating the structure and function of human organs in a controlled in vitro setting.¹ These innovative platforms integrate living human cells and tissue models into microscale bioengineered technology, allowing researchers to study and understand the physiological processes of different organs at a microscopic level.² MPS are a new alternative method to conventional cell culture that could be used to assess drug efficacy³ and support personalized medicine. ⁴

MPS technology offers several advantages over traditional cell culture or animal testing methods. It provides a more accurate and physiologically relevant representation of human organs and tissues. MPS platforms also offer a realistic and dynamic setting for studying cellular responses and behaviors by recreating the organ-specific microenvironment, cellular interactions, and mechanical forces.⁵

Because of these advantages, MPS have the benefit of better predicting and evaluating drug responses in various human organs, which is a limitation of the traditional toxicity testing methods that rely on animal models.⁶ MPS can detect subtle toxic effects that may not be observed in animals, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of drug safety profiles.⁷ MPS models allow researchers to screen potential drug candidates and assess their safety and efficacy in a more rapid and cost-effective manner than traditional approaches.⁸ By simulating the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs, MPS platforms can help identify promising lead compounds and reduce the reliance on animal models. It also helps mitigate risks associated with drug-induced side effects and adverse reactions in the early stages of drug development.⁹

MPS also offer unique opportunities for disease modeling. By recreating the structure and function of organs affected by diseases, researchers can study disease progression, evaluate potential therapeutic interventions, and gain insights into disease mechanisms.¹⁰ MPS platforms have been successfully utilized to model various conditions, including cancer,¹¹ neurodegenerative diseases,¹² cardiovascular disorders,¹³ and infectious diseases.¹⁴

Additionally, these systems enable the testing of combinations of drugs or personalizing medicine. Personalized medicine is an emerging field that aims to tailor medical treatments to individual patients based on their genetic makeup. MPS technology plays a crucial role in this area by incorporating patient-specific cells or induced pluripotent stem cells. By using cells originating from the patient, MPS platforms provide a personalized approach to drug testing and treatment. This allows for the evaluation of individual responses to various drugs, enhancing the effectiveness and safety of treatments.¹⁵

In conclusion, MPS are transforming the field of biomedical research. These innovative platforms offer more accurate and physiologically relevant models of human organs and tissues, allowing for accelerated drug discovery, improved toxicity testing, and enhanced disease modeling. With further advancements in technology and research, MPS have the potential to revolutionize personalized medicine and improve patient outcomes.

ATCC has established an MPS program with the mission of supporting the scientific community in this field by providing characterized and validated biologicals and aiding the standardization of protocols in various MPS technologies. Further, we are collaborating with technology developers to accelerate product development.

Did you know?

ATCC has over 200 organoids representing 15 different tissue types.

Meet the author

Carolina Lucchesi, PhD

Principal Scientist, BioNexus, ATCC

Carolina Lucchesi is BioNexus Foundation Principal Scientist leading the Microphysiological Systems program at ATCC. Dr. Lucchesi received her PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Campinas in Brazil and has over 20 years of experience in Tissue Engineering and Organ-on-Chip technology. In her current role, Dr. Lucchesi leads the MPS program bringing new capabilities in the use of advanced 3D models and developing existing and new content to be applied in state-of-art technologies.

Explore our related resources

Blue, pink and green IPS organoid cells.

Organoids

Patient-derived organoids are authenticated cell models paired with genomic and phenotypic data. Organoids are available from the Human Cancer Models Initiative (HCMI) and contribute to valuable and reproducible research.

Blue and pink hTER renal proximal tubular epithelial cells.

Toxicology

ATCC provides the tools you need to explore lung, skin, cardiovascular, gastro-enteric, liver, kidney, and neural toxicity. Our cells, media, and reagents help in toxicology research to identify responses to environmental toxins or to screen pharmaceutical compounds.

Cancer Research

Fighting cancer requires painstaking research and development. Scientists need materials and standards for drug screening, tumor mechanisms, cancer immunology, and cancer diagnostics. ATCC has research models such as organoids, conditionally reprogrammed cells, luciferase expressing reporter cell lines, isogenic CRISPR/Cas9 genome-edited cell lines, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition reporter cell lines.

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