Microfluidics in High-Throughput Drug Screening: Organ-on-a-Chip and <i>C. elegans</i>-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, rap...

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Main Authors: Sunhee Yoon, Dilara Kilicarslan You, Uiechan Jeong, Mina Lee, Eunhye Kim, Tae-Joon Jeon, Sun Min Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-01-01
Series:Biosensors
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/14/1/55
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author Sunhee Yoon
Dilara Kilicarslan You
Uiechan Jeong
Mina Lee
Eunhye Kim
Tae-Joon Jeon
Sun Min Kim
author_facet Sunhee Yoon
Dilara Kilicarslan You
Uiechan Jeong
Mina Lee
Eunhye Kim
Tae-Joon Jeon
Sun Min Kim
author_sort Sunhee Yoon
collection DOAJ
description 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 <i>C. elegans</i>-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, <i>C. elegans</i>-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.
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spelling doaj.art-47f61c282c2642d08337dec175c835f02024-01-26T15:23:25ZengMDPI AGBiosensors2079-63742024-01-011415510.3390/bios14010055Microfluidics in High-Throughput Drug Screening: Organ-on-a-Chip and <i>C. elegans</i>-Based InnovationsSunhee Yoon0Dilara Kilicarslan You1Uiechan Jeong2Mina Lee3Eunhye Kim4Tae-Joon Jeon5Sun Min Kim6Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of KoreaThe 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 <i>C. elegans</i>-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, <i>C. elegans</i>-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.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/14/1/55biochips<i>C. elegans</i>drug screeningmicrofluidicscell chiporgan-on-a-chip
spellingShingle Sunhee Yoon
Dilara Kilicarslan You
Uiechan Jeong
Mina Lee
Eunhye Kim
Tae-Joon Jeon
Sun Min Kim
Microfluidics in High-Throughput Drug Screening: Organ-on-a-Chip and <i>C. elegans</i>-Based Innovations
Biosensors
biochips
<i>C. elegans</i>
drug screening
microfluidics
cell chip
organ-on-a-chip
title Microfluidics in High-Throughput Drug Screening: Organ-on-a-Chip and <i>C. elegans</i>-Based Innovations
title_full Microfluidics in High-Throughput Drug Screening: Organ-on-a-Chip and <i>C. elegans</i>-Based Innovations
title_fullStr Microfluidics in High-Throughput Drug Screening: Organ-on-a-Chip and <i>C. elegans</i>-Based Innovations
title_full_unstemmed Microfluidics in High-Throughput Drug Screening: Organ-on-a-Chip and <i>C. elegans</i>-Based Innovations
title_short Microfluidics in High-Throughput Drug Screening: Organ-on-a-Chip and <i>C. elegans</i>-Based Innovations
title_sort microfluidics in high throughput drug screening organ on a chip and i c elegans i based innovations
topic biochips
<i>C. elegans</i>
drug screening
microfluidics
cell chip
organ-on-a-chip
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/14/1/55
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