Organs-on-Chips: An Alternative to 3D Bioprinting?

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Organs-on-Chips: An Alternative to 3D Bioprinting?

August 13, 2015 by Irina Robu

Organs-on-Chips: An Alternative to 3D Bioprinting?

Reported by: Irina Robu, PhD

“Human “organs-on-chips” are composed of a clear, flexible polymer about the size of a computer memory stick, and contain hollow microfluidic channels lined by living human cells. These 3D organ and tissue models allow researchers to recreate the physiological and mechanical functions of the organ, and have the potential to eliminate the need to use animals for drug development and toxin testing. While saving animals has a certain feel good element to it, it is more likely the cost savings that will appeal to pharmaceuticals looking for alternatives to existing drug testing methods. Scientists test potential pharmaceuticals on animals because it is too dangerous to perform initial tests on humans. The problem with this method is that more often than not, the predictions gleaned from animal tests will fail when a compound is tested on humans.”

Source

http://www.nanalyze.com/2014/07/organs-on-chips-an-alternative-to-3d-bioprinting/

Posted in 3D Printing for Medical Application, Drug Development using MultiOrgan Chip, Organ-on-a-Chip, Tissue Engineering, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine | Tagged 3D organ, drug testing, microfluidics, organ on a chip, tissue models | 2 Comments

2 Responses

on August 14, 2015 at 11:20 AM | Reply sjwilliamspa

Important discussion will be which method provides the most effective method to produce an organtypical system. For research purposes most laboratories are opting for the current methods, finding them cost effective and good enough. The #D printing industry will have to show a higher reproducible, higher quality and more cost effective advantage to 3D systems currently in use. Therefore for research market cost effectiveness is probably the highest concern.
on August 17, 2015 at 3:20 AM | Reply 2012pharmaceutical

Thank you.
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