OrganonaChipModelle

OrganonaChipModelle are organ-on-a-chip models, a class of microphysiological systems designed to reproduce organ-level structure and function outside the body. These devices integrate microfluidic channels, porous membranes, and three-dimensional cell cultures so that multiple cell types interact under physiologic flows and mechanical cues. The term is frequently used in German-language and European literature to describe organ-on-a-chip platforms that correspond to their English-language counterparts.

Design and operation: OrganonaChipModelle typically feature epithelial or endothelial compartments separated by porous membranes, with integrated sensors and actuators to apply shear, stretch, or compression. Construction materials include PDMS and thermoplastics, sometimes combined with hydrogels or decellularized matrices. Readouts come from microscopy, electrical impedance, optical sensors, or integrated biosensors, enabling real-time assessment of barrier function, metabolism, and tissue-wide responses.

Applications: They are used in drug screening, toxicology, and disease modeling, spanning liver, lung, gut, heart, and brain platforms. The use of patient-derived cells supports personalized medicine and mechanistic studies of disease progression, while multiplexed or interconnected chips enable multi-organ physiology investigations.

Development and challenges: Early examples appeared in the 2010s, notably lung and gut chips. Since then, advances in fabrication, 3D printing, and stem-cell technology have broadened organ coverage. Challenges include standardization, reproducibility, scalability, cost, and the need for regulatory validation and robust benchmarking.