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Author Spotlight: Developing a Unique Modular Microphysiological System to Mimic Human Barrier Tissue
Published on: February 16, 2024
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Modular Microphysiological System for Modeling of Biologic Barrier Function
Matthew Ishahak1, Jordan Hill1, Quratulain Amin1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States.
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
|December 11, 2020
Summary
A new PDMS-free organ-on-chip system uses a modular design and programmable pumps to model human physiology. This plastic microphysiological system overcomes limitations of PDMS for drug discovery and high-throughput manufacturing.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Biomaterials
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Microphysiological systems (organs-on-chips) model human physiology in vitro.
- Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is common but has limitations like molecule absorption and leaching.
- These issues hinder PDMS use in drug discovery assays.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer a modular, PDMS-free microphysiological system.
- To recapitulate biological barrier functions seen in PDMS devices.
- To enable high-throughput manufacturing of organs-on-chips.
Main Methods:
- Developed a microfluidic chip with pneumatic microfluidic pumps for programmable flow.
- Engineered cyclic strain for an alveolar air-liquid interface model.
- Used 3D finite element analysis for glomerular filtration barrier modeling.
- Demonstrated sphingolipid-induced kidney injury modeling.
Main Results:
- Successfully created a PDMS-free microphysiological system.
- Recapitulated alveolar air-liquid interface and glomerular filtration barrier functions.
- Modeled sphingolipid-induced kidney injury.
- Demonstrated compatibility with high-throughput manufacturing techniques like injection molding.
Conclusions:
- A multifunctional, modular microphysiological system can be developed without PDMS.
- The bio-inert plastic material is suitable for scalable manufacturing.
- This plastic organ-on-chip technology can meet growing demand.
