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Numerical models for organ-on-a-chip: A systematic review and analyses
Weiguang Su, Yang Zhao, Siegfried Yeboah1
1School of Engineering and Design, College of Technology and Environment, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Organs-on-a-chip (OoCs) are considered key tools for life science, medicine, and pharmaceutical research and can provide great insights into pathophysiologies of human organs. However, experimental studies of OoCs are commonly limited by their reliable geometrical design, realistic experimental parameter settings, biosensor measurement positions, and the rarity of cells available for particular diseases. In this paper, a review of 124 research articles published between 2000 and 2024 on OoCs and various numerical models applicable to them have been carried out. This article systematically reviews the development and application of mathematical models for the simulation of various OoCs for organs such as the gut, liver, and heart. The review also covered the evaluation of the accuracies of the momentum transport, mass transfer, and energy transfer in the mathematical models applicable to various OoCs. Analysis of the theoretical and experimental results from the reviewed articles on optimization of the OoC structure and parameter settings have also been carried out. From the review, numerical simulations were found to show great potential for optimizing the OoC structure, help minimize experimental times, provide good prediction of the experimental results, as well as offer insights into the interaction between different OoC types. Overall, this review establishes a theoretical foundation for the future organ-on-a-chip design, beneficial for biological experiments, as well as drug performance analysis.
Insights
Numerical simulations show great potential for optimizing organ-on-a-chip (OoC) design, improving experimental efficiency, and predicting results for life science and pharmaceutical research.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Computational Biology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Organs-on-a-chip (OoCs) are vital for studying human organ pathophysiology but face limitations in geometrical design, experimental parameters, and cell availability.
- Mathematical and numerical models are increasingly used to simulate OoC behavior and overcome experimental challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the development and application of mathematical models for simulating various OoCs (gut, liver, heart).
- To evaluate the accuracy of momentum, mass, and energy transfer in these models.
- To analyze theoretical and experimental results for optimizing OoC structure and parameters.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of 124 research articles (2000-2024) on OoCs and numerical models.
- Systematic analysis of mathematical models for OoC simulation.
- Evaluation of transport phenomena (momentum, mass, energy) within OoC models.
- Review of optimization strategies for OoC design and experimental parameters.
Main Results:
- Numerical simulations offer significant potential for optimizing OoC structure and minimizing experimental times.
- Models accurately predict experimental results and provide insights into inter-OoC interactions.
- Mathematical models enhance the understanding of transport phenomena in OoCs.
Conclusions:
- Numerical simulations are crucial for advancing organ-on-a-chip technology.
- This review provides a theoretical foundation for future OoC design, benefiting biological experiments and drug performance analysis.
- Optimized OoC designs through simulation will accelerate life science and pharmaceutical research.
