Application of an open-chamber multi-channel microfluidic device to test chemotherapy drugs

Microfluidics in High-Throughput Drug Screening: Organ-on-a-Chip and C. elegans-Based Innovations

The development of therapeutic interventions for diseases necessitates a crucial step known as drug screening, wherein potential substances with medicinal properties are rigorously evaluated. This process has undergone a transformative evolution, driven by the imperative need for more efficient, rapid, and high-throughput screening platforms. Among these, microfluidic systems have emerged as the epitome of efficiency, enabling the screening of drug candidates with unprecedented speed and minimal sample consumption. This review paper explores the cutting-edge landscape of microfluidic-based drug screening platforms, with a specific emphasis on two pioneering approaches: organ-on-a-chip and C. elegans-based chips. Organ-on-a-chip technology harnesses human-derived cells to recreate the physiological functions of human organs, offering an invaluable tool for assessing drug efficacy and toxicity. In parallel, C. elegans-based chips, boasting up to 60% genetic homology with humans and a remarkable affinity for microfluidic systems, have proven to be robust models for drug screening. Our comprehensive review endeavors to provide readers with a profound understanding of the fundamental principles, advantages, and challenges associated with these innovative drug screening platforms. We delve into the latest breakthroughs and practical applications in this burgeoning field, illuminating the pivotal role these platforms play in expediting drug discovery and development. Furthermore, we engage in a forward-looking discussion to delineate the future directions and untapped potential inherent in these transformative technologies. Through this review, we aim to contribute to the collective knowledge base in the realm of drug screening, providing valuable insights to researchers, clinicians, and stakeholders alike. We invite readers to embark on a journey into the realm of microfluidic-based drug screening platforms, fostering a deeper appreciation for their significance and promising avenues yet to be explored.

A perfused multi-well bioreactor platform to assess tumor organoid response to a chemotherapeutic gradient

There is an urgent need to develop new therapies for colorectal cancer that has metastasized to the liver and, more fundamentally, to develop improved preclinical platforms of colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) to screen therapies for efficacy. To this end, we developed a multi-well perfusable bioreactor capable of monitoring CRCLM patient-derived organoid response to a chemotherapeutic gradient. CRCLM patient-derived organoids were cultured in the multi-well bioreactor for 7 days and the subsequently established gradient in 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) concentration resulted in a lower IC₅₀ in the region near the perfusion channel versus the region far from the channel. We compared behaviour of organoids in this platform to two commonly used PDO culture models: organoids in media and organoids in a static (no perfusion) hydrogel. The bioreactor IC₅₀ values were significantly higher than IC₅₀ values for organoids cultured in media whereas only the IC₅₀ for organoids far from the channel were significantly different than organoids cultured in the static hydrogel condition. Using finite element simulations, we showed that the total dose delivered, calculated using area under the curve (AUC) was similar between platforms, however normalized viability was lower for the organoid in media condition than in the static gel and bioreactor. Our results highlight the utility of our multi-well bioreactor for studying organoid response to chemical gradients and demonstrate that comparing drug response across these different platforms is nontrivial.

Advances in microfluidics devices and its applications in personalized medicines

Microfluidics is an exponentially growing area and is being used for numerous applications from basic science to advanced biotechnology and medicines. Microfluidics provides a platform to the research community for studying and building new strategies for the diagnosis and therapeutics applications. In the last decade, microfluidic have enriched the field of diagnostics by providing new solutions which was not possible with conventional detection and treatment methods. Microfluidics has the ability to precisely control and perform high-throughput functions. It has been proven as an efficient and rapid method for biological sample preparation, analysis and controlled drug delivery system. Microfluidics plays significant role in personalized medicine. These personalized medicines are used for medical decisions, practices and other interventions as well as for individual patients based on their predicted response or risk of disease. This chapter highlights microfluidics in developing personalized medical applications for its applications in diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, pulmonary disease and several others.