Korean Institute of Science and Technology in Europe (KIST Europe GmbH), Campus E71, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany.
Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2012 Aug;11(8):620-32. doi: 10.1038/nrd3799.
The field of microfluidics or lab-on-a-chip technology aims to improve and extend the possibilities of bioassays, cell biology and biomedical research based on the idea of miniaturization. Microfluidic systems allow more accurate modelling of physiological situations for both fundamental research and drug development, and enable systematic high-volume testing for various aspects of drug discovery. Microfluidic systems are in development that not only model biological environments but also physically mimic biological tissues and organs; such 'organs on a chip' could have an important role in expediting early stages of drug discovery and help reduce reliance on animal testing. This Review highlights the latest lab-on-a-chip technologies for drug discovery and discusses the potential for future developments in this field.
微流控或芯片实验室技术领域旨在基于微型化的理念改进和扩展生物测定、细胞生物学和生物医学研究的可能性。微流控系统允许更准确地模拟生理情况，无论是基础研究还是药物开发，并且能够系统地进行各种药物发现方面的大容量测试。正在开发的微流控系统不仅可以模拟生物环境，还可以物理模拟生物组织和器官；这种“芯片上的器官”在加速药物发现的早期阶段和帮助减少对动物试验的依赖方面可能发挥重要作用。本综述强调了用于药物发现的最新芯片实验室技术，并讨论了该领域未来发展的潜力。
