Organ-Chips: A Game-Changing Technology for Disease Research and Drug Discovery

In recent years, scientists have been increasingly aware of the limitations of conventional 2D cell culture when it comes to studying human biology and predicting human reactions to drug candidates. Since its inception in the early 1900s, 2D cell culture has been widely used to study the behavior of cells grown on a flat surface. However, this approach does not accurately model the complex microenvironments and interactions that occur within the human body.

To address these challenges, researchers have developed Organ-Chips as an innovative cell culture technology that provides a more human-relevant platform for disease research and drug discovery and development. These advanced in vitro models replicate the microenvironment that cells experience within the human body, providing a more authentic representation of human responses compared to traditional 2D cell culture.

In a recent webinar led by Luke Dimasi, Senior Director of Product Management at Emulate, an overview of the Emulate Organ-on-a-Chip technology was provided. The webinar explored the advantages of Organ-Chips over 2D cell culture and offered data-driven examples demonstrating their enhanced physiological relevance. According to Dimasi, “Organ-Chips offer a unique opportunity to study disease progression and drug response in a way that is closer to what happens in humans.” By replicating the complexity of human tissues and organs, Organ-Chips provide researchers with a more accurate model for disease research and drug discovery.