Integrated brain on a chip and automated organ‐on‐chips systems

Abstract

The nervous system plays an irreplaceable role in maintaining homeostasis and coordinating with the external environment. However, the incidence of neurological diseases is high and increasing year by year. Long drug development cycles, low efficacy, improper models and other bottlenecks restrict the prevention and treatment of diseases. Organ‐on‐chips (OOCs), as in vitro constructed organ microsystems, have made remarkable progress in recent years. The blood–brain barrier chip, neurovascular unit chip, nerve signal transduction chip, and other chips related to brain function have been widely studied. However, in vitro modeling of complex biological systems remains a major challenge for OOCs. The future development goal of OOC is to realize automatic culture, organ function simulation, and real‐time monitoring of physiological and biochemical indicators. In this paper, a strategy for optimizing the structure and functional interface of cell‐derived modules is presented, and a specific model of the automated integration system is proposed. It aims to build standardized and commercial chips related to brain functions and systems by integrating multidisciplinary strengths. In addition, it will drive the progress of life science research, disease modeling, and drug research and promote the development of related industries.

Revolutionizing neurotherapeutics: blood-brain barrier-on-a-chip technologies for precise drug delivery

“…Emerging technologies, such as advanced nanoparticle formulations and biomimetic nanoparticles, are revolutionizing drug transport across the BBB 80 , 81 . Noninvasive modulation through focused ultrasound techniques 82 and cutting-edge imaging methods for real-time monitoring 83 and assessing novel delivery methods 84 further enhance BBB-on-a-chip capabilities. Interdisciplinary collaborations among pharmacology, biology, engineering, and materials science experts are pivotal in designing and optimizing these microfluidic systems 85 .…”

A new perspective on HIV: effects of HIV on brain-heart axis

“…Some biochemical substances(including glucose, ATP, lactate, Glu, GABA, NA, and catecholamine, et al) and biomarkers(t-tau, p-tau, β-amiloid42, neopterin, and S100β, et al) of CSF are utilized to assess metabolic dysfunction and Structural damage of CNS (104, 106-108, 136, 137, 143, 144, 252-255). In addition, integrated brain on a chip and automated organ-on-chips systems,as well as extracellular vesicles, may be employed to evaluate various neurological damage caused by HIV (256)(257)(258).…”

Neuroinflammatory response on a newly combinatorial cell–cell interaction chip

“…Thus, by flexibly designing microfluidic chips that combine multiple cell types and specific biological structures, on-chip co-culture of multiple cells can not only achieve the functions of traditional methods but also has the potential to construct microphysiological systems (MPS) with key functionalities of more complex target organs, 9,10 such as critical tissue interfaces, spatiotemporal cell–cell/extracellular matrix interactions, concentration gradients of nutrients, metabolic waste, and cytokines, as well as immune microenvironments. 11,12 Additionally, on-chip observation of cells cultured in different regions allows for obtaining specific and clear information about the concentration distribution of biomolecules or cytokines, providing more precise and detailed means for biological research.…”