Organ-on-chip: How to study human diseases in the lab

Our body is characterised by a high complexity, both from a morphological and functional point of view. Cells are at the basis of this complexity, a multitude of different cell types organised to form tissues, organs, and apparatus.  As researchers, to understand certain cellular processes, as well as to study a disease and find a cure for it, we need to grow cells in vitro, which means in our laboratories. Clearly, if we can optimize a model that closely resemble the in vivo condition (cells in the living body), we can acquire more reliable data. 

Our laboratory, located at the Institute of Nanotechnology (CNR Nanotec), in Lecce, is involved in the development of three-dimensional in vitro models like hydrogels and organs-on-chip. Hydrogels, polymeric materials capable of retaining a large amount of water and characterised by a responsiveness to external stimuli like light and temperature, are employed to host cells within their structure mimicking the three-dimensional in vivo environment. Organs-on-chip, another cutting-edge technology in which we are engaged, are devices developed by the convergence of biology and engineering. They have a coin size feature, characterised by microscopic channels that connects chambers in which the cells are grown. Biochemical, electrical and mechanical stimuli can be applied to better recapitulate the in vivo model. Hence, hydrogel and organs-on-chip are valuable tools to study the molecular and cellular basis of a disease, as well as to evaluate the efficacy of a pharmacological treatment.