Biological Barrier Models-on-Chips: A Novel Tool for Disease Research and Drug Discovery
The development of alternatives to animal models and traditional cell cultures has led to the emergence of organ-on-chip (OoC) systems, which replicate organ functions under both physiological and pathological conditions. These microfluidic platforms simulate key tissue interfaces—such as tissue–air...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Biosensors |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/15/6/338 |
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| author | Giusi Caragnano Anna Grazia Monteduro Silvia Rizzato Gianluigi Giannelli Giuseppe Maruccio |
| author_facet | Giusi Caragnano Anna Grazia Monteduro Silvia Rizzato Gianluigi Giannelli Giuseppe Maruccio |
| author_sort | Giusi Caragnano |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The development of alternatives to animal models and traditional cell cultures has led to the emergence of organ-on-chip (OoC) systems, which replicate organ functions under both physiological and pathological conditions. These microfluidic platforms simulate key tissue interfaces—such as tissue–air, tissue–liquid, and tissue–tissue interactions—while incorporating biomechanical stimuli to closely resemble in vivo environments. This makes OoC systems particularly suitable for modeling biological barriers such as the skin, the placenta, and the blood–brain barrier, which play essential roles in maintaining homeostasis. This review explores various biological barrier models that can be replicated using the OoC technology, discussing the integration of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to advance personalized medicine. Additionally, we examine the methods for assessing barrier formation, including real-time monitoring through integrated sensors, and discuss the advantages and challenges associated with these technologies. The potential of OoC systems in disease modeling, drug discovery, and personalized therapeutic strategies is also highlighted. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b19e46c4c6174a2f8a9d031e614a6f98 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2079-6374 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biosensors |
| spelling | doaj-art-b19e46c4c6174a2f8a9d031e614a6f982025-08-20T03:27:21ZengMDPI AGBiosensors2079-63742025-05-0115633810.3390/bios15060338Biological Barrier Models-on-Chips: A Novel Tool for Disease Research and Drug DiscoveryGiusi Caragnano0Anna Grazia Monteduro1Silvia Rizzato2Gianluigi Giannelli3Giuseppe Maruccio4Omnics Research Group, Department of Mathematics and Physics “Ennio De Giorgi”, Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR—Nanotec and INFN Sezione di Lecce, University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, ItalyOmnics Research Group, Department of Mathematics and Physics “Ennio De Giorgi”, Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR—Nanotec and INFN Sezione di Lecce, University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, ItalyOmnics Research Group, Department of Mathematics and Physics “Ennio De Giorgi”, Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR—Nanotec and INFN Sezione di Lecce, University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, ItalyNational Institute of Gastroenterology “Saverio de Bellis”, IRCCS Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, ItalyOmnics Research Group, Department of Mathematics and Physics “Ennio De Giorgi”, Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR—Nanotec and INFN Sezione di Lecce, University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, ItalyThe development of alternatives to animal models and traditional cell cultures has led to the emergence of organ-on-chip (OoC) systems, which replicate organ functions under both physiological and pathological conditions. These microfluidic platforms simulate key tissue interfaces—such as tissue–air, tissue–liquid, and tissue–tissue interactions—while incorporating biomechanical stimuli to closely resemble in vivo environments. This makes OoC systems particularly suitable for modeling biological barriers such as the skin, the placenta, and the blood–brain barrier, which play essential roles in maintaining homeostasis. This review explores various biological barrier models that can be replicated using the OoC technology, discussing the integration of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to advance personalized medicine. Additionally, we examine the methods for assessing barrier formation, including real-time monitoring through integrated sensors, and discuss the advantages and challenges associated with these technologies. The potential of OoC systems in disease modeling, drug discovery, and personalized therapeutic strategies is also highlighted.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/15/6/338organ-on-chipbiological barriermicrofluidic platformspersonalized medicinebiosensors |
| spellingShingle | Giusi Caragnano Anna Grazia Monteduro Silvia Rizzato Gianluigi Giannelli Giuseppe Maruccio Biological Barrier Models-on-Chips: A Novel Tool for Disease Research and Drug Discovery Biosensors organ-on-chip biological barrier microfluidic platforms personalized medicine biosensors |
| title | Biological Barrier Models-on-Chips: A Novel Tool for Disease Research and Drug Discovery |
| title_full | Biological Barrier Models-on-Chips: A Novel Tool for Disease Research and Drug Discovery |
| title_fullStr | Biological Barrier Models-on-Chips: A Novel Tool for Disease Research and Drug Discovery |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biological Barrier Models-on-Chips: A Novel Tool for Disease Research and Drug Discovery |
| title_short | Biological Barrier Models-on-Chips: A Novel Tool for Disease Research and Drug Discovery |
| title_sort | biological barrier models on chips a novel tool for disease research and drug discovery |
| topic | organ-on-chip biological barrier microfluidic platforms personalized medicine biosensors |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/15/6/338 |
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