Organs-on-a-chip: a union of tissue engineering and microfabrication

Conceived to address challenges in modeling human biology, organ-on-a-chip (OOAC) engineering has grown enormously from tissue engineering to capture specific hallmarks of human tissues.The evolution of OOAC models is intertwined with progress in tissue engineering by applying cellular components, biomaterials, and tissue culture technologies.The manufacture of OOAC devices incorporates microfabrication techniques, material chemistry, and biosensing applications.Current OOAC platforms focus on constructing higher-order structures using tissue engineering principles. For example, liver- and heart-on-chips are used to study drug metabolism, toxicity, and pathology.Limitations in the OOAC field include achieving systematic biomimicry and stability. Synergistic incorporation of advanced cell culture and manufacturing techniques can expand the impact of OOAC platforms.