Physiome on a chip

Microphysiological systems (MPSs) are in vitro models that capture facets of in vivo organ function through use of specialized culture microenvironments, including 3D matrices and microperfusion. Here, we report an approach to co-culture multiple different MPSs linked together physiologically on re-useable, open-system microfluidic platforms that are compatible with the quantitative study of a range of compounds, including lipophilic drugs. We describe three different platform designs - "4-way", "7-way", and "10-way" - each accommodating a mixing chamber and up to 4, 7, or 10 MPSs...

Scaling of a microphysiological system (MPS) or physiome-on-a-chip is arguably two interrelated, modeling-based activities: on-platform scaling and in vitro-in vivo translation. This dual approach reduces the need to perfectly rescale and mimic in vivo physiology, an aspiration that is both extremely challenging and not substantively meaningful because of uncertain relevance of any specific physiological condition. Accordingly, this perspective offers a tractable approach for designing interacting MPSs and relating in vitro results to analogous context in vivo...

This paper presents a review of microtechnologies relevant to applications in cellular physiology, including biochips, electrochemical sensors and optrodic sensing techniques. Microelectrodes have been the main tools for measuring cellular electrophysiology, oxygen, nitric oxide, neurotransmitters, pH and various ions. Optical fiber sensing methods, such as indicator-based optrodes, with fluorescence lifetime measurement, are now emerging as viable alternatives to electroanalytical chemistry. These new optrode techniques are possible because of recent advances in the optoelectronics industry and are comparably easier to miniaturize, have faster response times, do not consume the analyte and have lower operational costs...