An Organ-on-a-Chip (OOC) is a microfluidic cell culture device that simulates the activities, mechanics, and physiological response of entire organs and organ systems. These chips, often the size of a USB drive, contain tiny hollow channels lined with living human cells. Fluid flowing through the channels mimics blood, and mechanical forces can simulate breathing or peristalsis. This technology provides a more accurate model of human physiology than 2D cell cultures or animal models, potentially revolutionizing drug development and toxicology testing.
Pioneered by Donald Ingber and researchers at the Wyss Institute at Harvard University around 2010, starting with the 'Lung-on-a-Chip'.
Now a rapidly growing industry with companies creating chips for the liver, heart, kidney, gut, and even 'Body-on-a-Chip' systems. It is seen as a key technology for reducing reliance on animal testing and improving the success rate of clinical trials.