Microphysiological System (Organ-On-Chip) In Drug Discovery

Abstract

Microphysiology Systems (MPS), or Organ-on-a-Chip (OoC), are advanced in vitro models that mimic key functions of human organs using microfluidics, biomaterials, tissue engineering, and human cells. They are increasingly used in drug development to evaluate drug absorption, metabolism, efficacy, toxicity, and the performance of delivery systems such as nanoparticles and liposomes. Patient-derived cells can support personalized medicine by enabling assessment of individual drug responses, while multi-organ systems help study interactions between organs and complex drug effects. MPS can provide real-time insights into cellular and tissue responses under controlled physiological conditions. They may also help reduce the time and cost associated with conventional drug screening and animal experimentation. With continued technological development and standardization, MPS are expected to become increasingly valuable in pharmaceutical and biomedical research. Despite challenges including cost, technical complexity, and standardization, MPS offer a promising human-relevant approach for safer drug development, toxicity testing, precision medicine, and innovative drug delivery research.