Go with the flow: modeling unique biological flows in engineered in vitro platforms

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Physiology
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Organ-on-a-chip technology is increasingly used to model in vivo biological phenomena.
• Understanding and replicating physiological fluid flow is crucial for in vitro model accuracy.
• Biophysical forces from fluid perfusion significantly impact tissue and organ function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review complex fluid flow regimes in key organ systems.
• To assess current organ-on-a-chip platforms for replicating physiological flows.
• To identify limitations in existing engineered tissue models.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of organ-on-a-chip technologies.
• Analysis of fluid dynamics in blood vasculature, lymphatic vasculature, and the intestinal system.
• Evaluation of state-of-the-art engineered tissue platforms.

Main Results:

• Detailed descriptions of unique flow profiles in the vasculature and intestines.
• Identification of current organ-on-a-chip platforms attempting to mimic these flows.
• Highlighting of discrepancies between engineered flows and physiological conditions.

Conclusions:

• Accurate replication of physiological fluid flow is essential for in vitro models.
• Current organ-on-a-chip platforms show promise but have limitations in capturing complex flow dynamics.
• Further advancements are needed to fully recapitulate in vivo biomechanical cues for enhanced human relevance.