Training the next generation of researchers in the Organ-on-Chip field

Abstract

Organ-on-chip (OoC) technology bridges the principles of biology and engineering to create a new generation of in vitro models and involves highly interdisciplinary collaboration across STEM disciplines. Training the next generation of scientists, technicians and policy makers is a challenge that requires a tailored effort. To promote the qualification, usability, uptake and long-term development of OoC technology, we designed a questionnaire to evaluate the key aspects for training, identify the major stakeholders to be trained, their professional level and specific skillset. The 151 respondents unanimously agreed on the need to train the next generation of OoC researchers and that the training should be provided early, in interdisciplinary subjects and throughout the researchers' career. We identified two key training priorities: (i) training scientists with a biology background in microfabrication and microfluidics principles and (ii) training OoC developers in pharmacology/toxicology. This makes training in OoC a transdisciplinary challenge rather than an interdisciplinary one. The data acquired and analyzed here serves to guide training initiatives for preparing competent and transdisciplinary researchers, capable of assuring the successful development and application of OoC technologies in academic research, pharmaceutical/chemical/cosmetic industries, personalized medicine and clinical trials on chip.

An Insight on Microfluidic Organ-on-a-Chip Models for PM2.5-Induced Pulmonary Complications

“…The organ-on-a-chip devices are extremely accurate in predicting the relationship between the tissue of the organ and in vivo effects, which cannot be accurately performed by 2D or even 3D cell culture techniques. Therefore, these devices have been recognized as game-changers in the context of biomedical engineering as they bridge these fields together. , It is also expected that and organ-on-a-chip may be designed in such a way that it may be able to perform pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analyses for potential therapeutics . The process of adding amalgams onto the organs-on-chips is called amalgamation, and it has been hypothesized that this process can improve the sensitivity of the devices in the near future.…”