Conventional 2D cell-based assays have limitations in mimicking in vivo-like environments, since multi-organ interactions, for example, side or secondary effects of metabolites produces by another organ in the body especially the liver remain obscure, are not available. Currently, such metabolic effects are only visible in vivo. Further, the identity, behavior, and survival of cells do not only depend on neighboring cells, but on many molecular pathways and biological processes occurring within the entire organism. In this talk, the “Body-on-a Chip” concept device is introduced, which realizes in-vitro multiple micro-organ network on a single device and micro-physiological fluidic condition using 3D microtissue spheroids and microfluidics. It has the potential of identifying synergistic drug interactions as well as simulating multi-organ metabolic interactions. Two-tissue configurations, here, are described with two major benefits over typical testing methods:
1. Studying not only the direct effect of compounds on an isolated target tissue alone, but also after having been metabolized by liver tissue on chip.
2. Evaluation of the efficacy of a compound on the target tissue model combined with safety and toxicity assessments on liver tissue.