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Generation of a Simplified Three-Dimensional Skin-on-a-chip Model in a Micromachined Microfluidic Platform
Published on: May 17, 2021
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Current advances in skin-on-a-chip models for drug testing
Qiang Zhang1, Linda Sito1, Mao Mao1,2
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China.
Microphysiological Systems
|February 1, 2021
Summary
Skin-on-a-chip models offer a cost-effective, physiologically relevant alternative to traditional methods for drug testing. These advanced systems mimic human skin
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Tissue Engineering
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Conventional 2D cell cultures and animal models have limitations in replicating human skin's 3D structure and physiological functions for drug testing.
- Skin-on-a-chip systems integrate human skin structures onto microfluidic platforms to create more accurate in vitro models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review critical technologies for developing in vitro skin-on-a-chip models.
- To explore the applications of advanced skin-on-a-chip models in drug testing.
- To discuss challenges and future directions in creating complex, in vivo-like skin models.
Main Methods:
- Mini-review of existing literature on skin-on-a-chip technologies.
- Focus on models including full-thickness skin equivalents (FTSEs), vasculature, immune cells, hair follicles, and multi-organ systems.
Main Results:
- Skin-on-a-chip models provide a more physiologically relevant and cost-effective approach to drug testing compared to conventional methods.
- State-of-the-art models incorporate complex features like vasculature and immune cells to enhance predictive accuracy.
Conclusions:
- Skin-on-a-chip technology is advancing rapidly, offering significant potential for improving drug testing efficacy.
- Future developments aim to create even more complex and in vivo-like models to overcome current limitations.
