Skin-on-a-Chip Technology: Microengineering Physiologically Relevant In Vitro Skin Models.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Tissue Engineering
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Increasing demand for accurate in vitro human skin models for pharmaceutical drug testing.
• Limitations of conventional cell culture techniques in mimicking native skin microenvironments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the major challenges and key prerequisites for creating physiologically relevant skin-on-a-chip (SoC) devices for drug testing.
• To discuss technical and biological aspects of SoC device development.
• To highlight current challenges for clinical translation.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent advancements in skin-on-a-chip (SoC) device fabrication and sensor integration.
• Discussion of cell sourcing and scaffold materials for advanced skin models.
• Comparison and discussion of achievements and drawbacks of current SoC devices.

Main Results:

• Skin-on-a-chip (SoC) devices simulate key mechanical, functional, and structural features of human skin.
• SoC devices enable perfusion and real-time, non-destructive monitoring of skin function and drug effects.
• Significant progress has been made, but challenges remain for widespread clinical application.

Conclusions:

• Skin-on-a-chip (SoC) technology represents a promising advancement in in vitro drug testing models.
• Overcoming technical and biological hurdles is crucial for the clinical translation of SoC devices.
• Further research is needed to fully realize the potential of SoC for pharmaceutical development.