The Evolution of Organoids: From Discovery to Cutting-Edge Applications

The in vitro organoid concept is a significant technical advancement that has proven to be a valuable tool in a variety of fundamental biology and therapeutic applications. This physiologically relevant 3D model enables the study of key in vivo biochemical processes such as tissue regeneration, stem cell/niche activities, and tissue response to medicines, mutations and injury. Organoids bridge conventional 2D cultures, in vivo human and murine systems because they provide greater physiological relevance than monolayer models while remaining more experimentally accessible than animal models. This innovative platform and its multiorgan incorporation, which recapitulates organ-level function and structure, enables a wide range of applications such as human disease models, which may help reduce reliance on animal testing. This review explores the concepts of organoids and organ-on-a-chip as well as current advances that lead to the development of in vitro disease models and novel therapeutic options.