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Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Co-culture of Living Microbiome with Microengineered Human Intestinal Villi in a Gut-on-a-Chip Microfluidic Device
Published on: August 30, 2016
Microfluidic Organ-on-a-Chip Models of Human Intestine
Amir Bein1, Woojung Shin2, Sasan Jalili-Firoozinezhad1,3
1Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts.
Abstract:
Microfluidic organ-on-a-chip models of human intestine have been developed and used to study intestinal physiology and pathophysiology. In this article, we review this field and describe how microfluidic Intestine Chips offer new capabilities not possible with conventional culture systems or organoid cultures, including the ability to analyze contributions of individual cellular, chemical, and physical control parameters one-at-a-time; to coculture human intestinal cells with commensal microbiome for extended times; and to create human-relevant disease models. We also discuss potential future applications of human Intestine Chips, including how they might be used for drug development and personalized medicine.
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