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Organ chips, organoids and the animal testing conundrum.
Literature Information
| DOI | 10.1038/s41578-021-00313-z |
|---|---|
| PMID | 33936776 |
| Journal | Nature reviews. Materials |
| Impact Factor | 86.2 |
| JCR Quartile | Q1 |
| Publication Year | 2021 |
| Times Cited | 22 |
| Keywords | Biomaterials, Medical research |
| Literature Type | Journal Article |
| ISSN | 2058-8437 |
| Pages | 372-373 |
| Issue | 6(5) |
| Authors | Christine Horejs |
TL;DR
In an interview with Nature Reviews Materials, Donald Ingber discusses the ethical and scientific challenges of animal testing in biomedical research, emphasizing the need for human-relevant models to improve the reliability and applicability of research outcomes. His insights highlight the potential for innovative alternatives that could enhance understanding of human biology while addressing ethical concerns.
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Biomaterials · Medical research
Abstract
Nature Reviews Materials speaks to Donald Ingber, Founding Director of the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, about the animal testing conundrum and the importance of human-relevant models in biomedical research.
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Primary Questions Addressed
- How do organ chips and organoids compare in terms of their effectiveness for drug testing versus traditional animal models?
- What are the ethical implications of replacing animal testing with human-relevant models like organ chips and organoids?
- In what ways can organ chips and organoids contribute to personalized medicine and patient-specific treatments?
- What challenges do researchers face when developing organ chips and organoids that accurately mimic human physiology?
- How might advancements in organ chip technology influence regulatory frameworks for biomedical research and testing?
Key Findings
Research Background and Objectives
The article discusses the limitations of animal models in biomedical research, emphasizing the need for human-relevant models. The main objective is to explore the potential of advanced in vitro systems, such as organ chips and organoids, as alternatives to traditional animal testing.
Main Methods/Materials/Experimental Design
The article highlights various in vitro models, including organoids and organs-on-chips, which can mimic human physiology more accurately than animal models. The following is a flowchart summarizing the research approach:
Key Results and Findings
- Animal Model Limitations: Despite their historical use, animal models often fail to accurately predict human responses due to genetic and physiological differences.
- In Vitro Alternatives: Advanced models like organs-on-chips can replicate complex human physiological responses and are capable of real-time monitoring.
- Immune Response Integration: Researchers can incorporate immune cells into these models to study specific immune responses, enhancing their relevance to human health.
- Microbiome Studies: Organs-on-chips allow for the investigation of human microbiomes, which cannot be effectively studied in animal models.
Main Conclusions/Significance/Innovation
The article concludes that while animal models have been a staple in biomedical research, the emergence of sophisticated in vitro models presents a significant opportunity to improve the relevance and efficiency of research. These models can reduce reliance on animal testing, address ethical concerns, and potentially lead to better clinical outcomes by providing more accurate human-relevant data.
Research Limitations and Future Directions
- Barriers to Adoption: The transition to in vitro models faces challenges, including a lack of familiarity among researchers and the inertia of traditional practices.
- Need for Development: Future research should focus on improving the complexity of in vitro systems, enhancing materials used in chip fabrication, and integrating real-time readouts for better data collection.
- Institutional Support: Establishing dedicated research institutes and increasing funding for in vitro model development could facilitate broader acceptance and utilization of these technologies in the scientific community.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Animal Models | In Vitro Models |
|---|---|---|
| Predictive Capability | Limited for human conditions | High fidelity to human physiology |
| Ethical Concerns | Significant | Reduced ethical issues |
| Complexity | High (but not always relevant) | Can be tailored for specific studies |
| Real-time Monitoring | Difficult | Feasible with advanced designs |
| Integration of Immune System | Often not representative | Can be incorporated easily |
This structured summary captures the essential points from the article, emphasizing the critical transition towards more relevant human-based models in biomedical research.
Literatures Citing This Work
- Generation of Skin Organoids: Potential Opportunities and Challenges. - Hui Sun;Yi-Xuan Zhang;Yu-Mei Li - Frontiers in cell and developmental biology (2021)
- Deep Learning-Enabled Technologies for Bioimage Analysis. - Fazle Rabbi;Sajjad Rahmani Dabbagh;Pelin Angin;Ali Kemal Yetisen;Savas Tasoglu - Micromachines (2022)
- Progress in Vocal Fold Regenerative Biomaterials: An Immunological Perspective. - Patrick T Coburn;Xuan Li;Jianyu Y Li;Yo Kishimoto;Nicole Y K Li-Jessen - Advanced nanobiomed research (2022)
- Small tissue chips with big opportunities for space medicine. - Xuan Mu;Weishen He;Victoria Abril Manjarrez Rivera;Raul Armando Duran De Alba;Dava J Newman;Yu Shrike Zhang - Life sciences in space research (2022)
- Liver-on-a-chip: Considerations, advances, and beyond. - Zhenxu Yang;Xiaochen Liu;Elise M Cribbin;Alice M Kim;Jiao Jiao Li;Ken-Tye Yong - Biomicrofluidics (2022)
- Organoid-based 3D in vitro microphysiological systems as alternatives to animal experimentation for preclinical and clinical research. - Chrianjay Mukhopadhyay;Manash K Paul - Archives of toxicology (2023)
- Gelatin methacryloyl and Laponite bioink for 3D bioprinted organotypic tumor modeling. - Natan Roberto de Barros;Alejandro Gomez;Menekse Ermis;Natashya Falcone;Reihaneh Haghniaz;Patric Young;Yaqi Gao;Albert-Fred Aquino;Siyuan Li;Siyi Niu;RunRun Chen;Shuyi Huang;Yangzhi Zhu;Payam Eliahoo;Arthur Sun;Danial Khorsandi;Jinjoo Kim;Jonathan Kelber;Ali Khademhosseini;Han-Jun Kim;Bingbing Li - Biofabrication (2023)
- Ethanol Causes Cell Death and Neuronal Differentiation Defect During Initial Neurogenesis of the Neural Retina by Disrupting Calcium Signaling in Human Retinal Organoids. - Yu Gong;Lingling Ge;Qiyou Li;Jing Gong;Min Chen;Hui Gao;Jiahui Kang;Ting Yu;Jiawen Li;Haiwei Xu - Stem cell reviews and reports (2023)
- Organ chip research in Europe: players, initiatives, and policies. - Renan Gonçalves Leonel da Silva;Alessandro Blasimme - Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology (2023)
- A Rapid Prototyping Approach for Multi-Material, Reversibly Sealed Microfluidics. - Michael Halwes;Melanie Stamp;David J Collins - Micromachines (2023)
... (12 more literatures)
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