Violeta Carvalho, Raquel O. Rodrigues, Su Ryon Shin, Rui Lima, Senhorinha F. C. F. Teixeira
{"title":"Advancing Blood–Brain Barrier-on-a-Chip Models Through Numerical Simulations","authors":"Violeta Carvalho, Raquel O. Rodrigues, Su Ryon Shin, Rui Lima, Senhorinha F. C. F. Teixeira","doi":"10.1007/s13206-024-00168-w","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>Researchers have placed engineered or natural tissues within microfluidic chips originating the so-called organ-on-a-chip (OoC) devices. With this technology, organ models can be subjected to phenomena that replicate the complex in vivo biological environment. Furthermore, the OoC devices constitute a more valuable, cost-effective and ethical option when compared to assays performed in animal models for disease research and drug discovery. However, there are still many challenges in replicating some organs/diseases in vitro such as the Blood–Brain Barrier (BBB), given its complexity and structure. Despite the difficulties, many efforts have been made to develop improved in vitro BBB-on-a-chip models to investigate several neurological disorders. In the present review, a summary of the progress made in the development of BBB-on-a-chip is provided focusing on the importance of using numerical simulations for obtaining improved models and better planning the experimental assays. In addition, the future perspectives and current challenges are provided.</p>","PeriodicalId":8768,"journal":{"name":"BioChip Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":5.5000,"publicationDate":"2024-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"BioChip Journal","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13206-024-00168-w","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"BIOCHEMICAL RESEARCH METHODS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Researchers have placed engineered or natural tissues within microfluidic chips originating the so-called organ-on-a-chip (OoC) devices. With this technology, organ models can be subjected to phenomena that replicate the complex in vivo biological environment. Furthermore, the OoC devices constitute a more valuable, cost-effective and ethical option when compared to assays performed in animal models for disease research and drug discovery. However, there are still many challenges in replicating some organs/diseases in vitro such as the Blood–Brain Barrier (BBB), given its complexity and structure. Despite the difficulties, many efforts have been made to develop improved in vitro BBB-on-a-chip models to investigate several neurological disorders. In the present review, a summary of the progress made in the development of BBB-on-a-chip is provided focusing on the importance of using numerical simulations for obtaining improved models and better planning the experimental assays. In addition, the future perspectives and current challenges are provided.
期刊介绍:
BioChip Journal publishes original research and reviews in all areas of the biochip technology in the following disciplines, including protein chip, DNA chip, cell chip, lab-on-a-chip, bio-MEMS, biosensor, micro/nano mechanics, microfluidics, high-throughput screening technology, medical science, genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring and micro/nanotechnology. The Journal is committed to rapid peer review to ensure the publication of highest quality original research and timely news and review articles.