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Cho SW, Malick H, Kim SJ, Grattoni A. Advances in Skin-on-a-Chip Technologies for Dermatological Disease Modeling. J Invest Dermatol 2024; 144:1707-1715. [PMID: 38493383 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2024.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Skin-on-a-chip (SoC) technologies are emerging as a paradigm shift in dermatology research by replicating human physiology in a dynamic manner not achievable by current animal models. Although animal models have contributed to successful clinical trials, their ability to predict human outcomes remains questionable, owing to inherent differences in skin anatomy and immune response. Covering areas including infectious diseases, autoimmune skin conditions, wound healing, drug toxicity, aging, and antiaging, SoC aims to circumvent the inherent disparities created by traditional models. In this paper, we review current SoC technologies, highlighting their potential as an alternative to animal models for a deeper understanding of complex skin conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seo Won Cho
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA; Texas A&M University School of Medicine, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Hamza Malick
- Texas A&M University School of Medicine, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Soo Jung Kim
- Department of Dermatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Alessandro Grattoni
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA; Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.
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Ray R, Rakesh A, Singh S, Madhyastha H, Mani NK. Hair and Nail-On-Chip for Bioinspired Microfluidic Device Fabrication and Biomarker Detection. Crit Rev Anal Chem 2023:1-27. [PMID: 38133962 DOI: 10.1080/10408347.2023.2291825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The advent of biosensors has tremendously increased our potential of identifying and solving important problems in various domains, ranging from food safety and environmental analysis, to healthcare and medicine. However, one of the most prominent drawbacks of these technologies, especially in the biomedical field, is to employ conventional samples, such as blood, urine, tissue extracts and other body fluids for analysis, which suffer from the drawbacks of invasiveness, discomfort, and high costs encountered in transportation and storage, thereby hindering these products to be applied for point-of-care testing that has garnered substantial attention in recent years. Therefore, through this review, we emphasize for the first time, the applications of switching over to noninvasive sampling techniques involving hair and nails that not only circumvent most of the aforementioned limitations, but also serve as interesting alternatives in understanding the human physiology involving minimal costs, equipment and human interference when combined with rapidly advancing technologies, such as microfluidics and organ-on-a-chip to achieve miniaturization on an unprecedented scale. The coalescence between these two fields has not only led to the fabrication of novel microdevices involving hair and nails, but also function as robust biosensors for the detection of biomarkers, chemicals, metabolites and nucleic acids through noninvasive sampling. Finally, we have also elucidated a plethora of futuristic innovations that could be incorporated in such devices, such as expanding their applications in nail and hair-based drug delivery, their potential in serving as next-generation wearable sensors and integrating these devices with machine-learning for enhanced automation and decentralization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohitraj Ray
- Department of Bioengineering (BE), Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Amith Rakesh
- Microfluidics, Sensors and Diagnostics (μSenD) Laboratory, Centre for Microfluidics, Biomarkers, Photoceutics and Sensors (μBioPS), Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576 104, India
| | - Sheetal Singh
- Microfluidics, Sensors and Diagnostics (μSenD) Laboratory, Centre for Microfluidics, Biomarkers, Photoceutics and Sensors (μBioPS), Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576 104, India
| | - Harishkumar Madhyastha
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Naresh Kumar Mani
- Microfluidics, Sensors and Diagnostics (μSenD) Laboratory, Centre for Microfluidics, Biomarkers, Photoceutics and Sensors (μBioPS), Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576 104, India
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Zhao H, Chen Z, Kang X, Yang B, Luo P, Li H, He Q. The frontline of alternatives to animal testing: novel in vitro skin model application in drug development and evaluation. Toxicol Sci 2023; 196:152-169. [PMID: 37702017 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfad093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The FDA Modernization Act 2.0 has brought nonclinical drug evaluation into a new era. In vitro models are widely used and play an important role in modern drug development and evaluation, including early candidate drug screening and preclinical drug efficacy and toxicity assessment. Driven by regulatory steering and facilitated by well-defined physiology, novel in vitro skin models are emerging rapidly, becoming the most advanced area in alternative testing research. The revolutionary technologies bring us many in vitro skin models, either laboratory-developed or commercially available, which were all built to emulate the structure of the natural skin to recapitulate the skin's physiological function and particular skin pathology. During the model development, how to achieve balance among complexity, accessibility, capability, and cost-effectiveness remains the core challenge for researchers. This review attempts to introduce the existing in vitro skin models, align them on different dimensions, such as structural complexity, functional maturity, and screening throughput, and provide an update on their current application in various scenarios within the scope of chemical testing and drug development, including testing in genotoxicity, phototoxicity, skin sensitization, corrosion/irritation. Overall, the review will summarize a general strategy for in vitro skin model to enhance future model invention, application, and translation in drug development and evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Zhao
- Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhaozeng Chen
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Xingchen Kang
- Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Peihua Luo
- Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Hui Li
- Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Qiaojun He
- Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
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Footner E, Firipis K, Liu E, Baker C, Foley P, Kapsa RMI, Pirogova E, O'Connell C, Quigley A. Layer-by-Layer Analysis of In Vitro Skin Models. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:5933-5952. [PMID: 37791888 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c00283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
In vitro human skin models are evolving into versatile platforms for the study of skin biology and disorders. These models have many potential applications in the fields of drug testing and safety assessment, as well as cosmetic and new treatment development. The development of in vitro skin models that accurately mimic native human skin can reduce reliance on animal models and also allow for more precise, clinically relevant testing. Recent advances in biofabrication techniques and biomaterials have led to the creation of increasingly complex, multilayered skin models that incorporate important functional components of skin, such as the skin barrier, mechanical properties, pigmentation, vasculature, hair follicles, glands, and subcutaneous layer. This improved ability to recapitulate the functional aspects of native skin enhances the ability to model the behavior and response of native human skin, as the complex interplay of cell-to-cell and cell-to-material interactions are incorporated. In this review, we summarize the recent developments in in vitro skin models, with a focus on their applications, limitations, and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Footner
- Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | - Kate Firipis
- Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | - Emily Liu
- Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | - Chris Baker
- Department of Dermatology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
- Skin Health Institute, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | - Peter Foley
- Department of Dermatology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
- Skin Health Institute, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | - Robert M I Kapsa
- Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
- Centre for Clinical Neurosciences and Neurological Research, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | - Elena Pirogova
- Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | - Cathal O'Connell
- Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | - Anita Quigley
- Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
- Centre for Clinical Neurosciences and Neurological Research, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
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Kutluk H, Bastounis EE, Constantinou I. Integration of Extracellular Matrices into Organ-on-Chip Systems. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2203256. [PMID: 37018430 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202203256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex, dynamic network present within all tissues and organs that not only acts as a mechanical support and anchorage point but can also direct fundamental cell behavior, function, and characteristics. Although the importance of the ECM is well established, the integration of well-controlled ECMs into Organ-on-Chip (OoC) platforms remains challenging and the methods to modulate and assess ECM properties on OoCs remain underdeveloped. In this review, current state-of-the-art design and assessment of in vitro ECM environments is discussed with a focus on their integration into OoCs. Among other things, synthetic and natural hydrogels, as well as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) used as substrates, coatings, or cell culture membranes are reviewed in terms of their ability to mimic the native ECM and their accessibility for characterization. The intricate interplay among materials, OoC architecture, and ECM characterization is critically discussed as it significantly complicates the design of ECM-related studies, comparability between works, and reproducibility that can be achieved across research laboratories. Improving the biomimetic nature of OoCs by integrating properly considered ECMs would contribute to their further adoption as replacements for animal models, and precisely tailored ECM properties would promote the use of OoCs in mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazal Kutluk
- Institute of Microtechnology (IMT), Technical University of Braunschweig, Alte Salzdahlumer Str. 203, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technical University of Braunschweig, Franz-Liszt-Str. 35a, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Effie E Bastounis
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine (IMIT), Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, E8, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections" EXC 2124, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Iordania Constantinou
- Institute of Microtechnology (IMT), Technical University of Braunschweig, Alte Salzdahlumer Str. 203, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technical University of Braunschweig, Franz-Liszt-Str. 35a, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
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Sung JH, Kim JJ. Recent advances in in vitro skin-on-a-chip models for drug testing. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2023. [PMID: 37379024 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2023.2227379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The skin is an organ that has the largest surface area and provides a barrier against external environment. While providing protection, it also interacts with other organs in the body and has implications in various diseases. Development of physiologically realistic in vitro models of the skin in the context of the whole body is important for studying these diseases, and will be a valuable tool for pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food industry. AREA COVERED This article covers the basic background in skin structure, physiology, as well as drug metabolism in the skin, and dermatological diseases. We summarize various in vitro skin models currently available, and novel in vitro models based on organ-on-a-chip technology. We also explain the concept of multi-organ-on-a-chip and describe recent developments in this field aimed at recapitulating the interaction of the skin with other organs in the body. EXPERT OPINION Recent development in the organ-on-a-chip field has enabled the development of in vitro model systems that resemble human skin more closely than conventional models. In near future, we will be seeing various model systems that allow researchers to study complex diseases in a more mechanistic manner, which will help the development of new pharmaceuticals for such diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong Hwan Sung
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Hongik University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Jung Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Hongik University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Hernández-Rodríguez JF, López MÁ, Rojas D, Escarpa A. Digital manufacturing for accelerating organ-on-a-chip dissemination and electrochemical biosensing integration. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:4805-4821. [PMID: 36342332 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00499b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Organ on-a-chip (OoC) is a promising technology that aims to recapitulate human body pathophysiology in a more precise way to advance in drug development and complex disease understanding. However, the presence of OoC in biological laboratories is still limited and mainly restricted to laboratories with access to cleanroom facilities. Besides, the current analytical methods employed to extract information from the organ models are endpoint and post facto assays which makes it difficult to ensure that during the biological experiment the cell microenvironment, cellular functionality and behaviour are controlled. Hence, the integration of real-time biosensors is highly needed and requested by the OoC end-user community to provide insight into organ function and responses to stimuli. In this context, electrochemical sensors stand out due to their advantageous features like miniaturization capabilities, ease of use, automatization and high sensitivity and selectivity. Electrochemical sensors have been already successfully miniaturized and employed in other fields such as wearables and point-of-care devices. We have identified that the explanation for this issue may be, to a large extent, the accessibility to microfabrication technologies. These fields employ preferably digital manufacturing (DM), which is a more accessible microfabrication approach regardless of funding and facilities. Therefore, we envision that a paradigm shift in microfabrication that adopts DM instead of the dominating soft lithography for the in-lab microfabrication of OoC devices will contribute to the dissemination of the field and integration of the promising real-time sensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan F Hernández-Rodríguez
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Miguel Ángel López
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain.
- Chemical Engineering and Chemical Research Institute "Andres M. Del Río", University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Rojas
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Alberto Escarpa
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain.
- Chemical Engineering and Chemical Research Institute "Andres M. Del Río", University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
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Tan SH, Chua DAC, Tang JRJ, Bonnard C, Leavesley D, Liang K. Design of Hydrogel-based Scaffolds for in vitro Three-dimensional Human Skin Model Reconstruction. Acta Biomater 2022; 153:13-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.09.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Modeling an Optimal 3D Skin-on-Chip within Microfluidic Devices for Pharmacological Studies. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14071417. [PMID: 35890312 PMCID: PMC9316928 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14071417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Preclinical research remains hampered by an inadequate representation of human tissue environments which results in inaccurate predictions of a drug candidate’s effects and target’s suitability. While human 2D and 3D cell cultures and organoids have been extensively improved to mimic the precise structure and function of human tissues, major challenges persist since only few of these models adequately represent the complexity of human tissues. The development of skin-on-chip technology has allowed the transition from static 3D cultures to dynamic 3D cultures resembling human physiology. The integration of vasculature, immune system, or the resident microbiome in the next generation of SoC, with continuous detection of changes in metabolism, would potentially overcome the current limitations, providing reliable and robust results and mimicking the complex human skin. This review aims to provide an overview of the biological skin constituents and mechanical requirements that should be incorporated in a human skin-on-chip, permitting pharmacological, toxicological, and cosmetic tests closer to reality.
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Zoio P, Oliva A. Skin-on-a-Chip Technology: Microengineering Physiologically Relevant In Vitro Skin Models. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14030682. [PMID: 35336056 PMCID: PMC8955316 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14030682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The increased demand for physiologically relevant in vitro human skin models for testing pharmaceutical drugs has led to significant advancements in skin engineering. One of the most promising approaches is the use of in vitro microfluidic systems to generate advanced skin models, commonly known as skin-on-a-chip (SoC) devices. These devices allow the simulation of key mechanical, functional and structural features of the human skin, better mimicking the native microenvironment. Importantly, contrary to conventional cell culture techniques, SoC devices can perfuse the skin tissue, either by the inclusion of perfusable lumens or by the use of microfluidic channels acting as engineered vasculature. Moreover, integrating sensors on the SoC device allows real-time, non-destructive monitoring of skin function and the effect of topically and systemically applied drugs. In this Review, the major challenges and key prerequisites for the creation of physiologically relevant SoC devices for drug testing are considered. Technical (e.g., SoC fabrication and sensor integration) and biological (e.g., cell sourcing and scaffold materials) aspects are discussed. Recent advancements in SoC devices are here presented, and their main achievements and drawbacks are compared and discussed. Finally, this review highlights the current challenges that need to be overcome for the clinical translation of SoC devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Zoio
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica (ITQB), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da República, Estação Agronómica Nacional, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal;
| | - Abel Oliva
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica (ITQB), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da República, Estação Agronómica Nacional, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal;
- Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica (IBET), 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal
- Correspondence:
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