6 Discussion & Future Perspectives

Discussion

1. 1. Analysis of the Polymer(s) in Context
      • The cornerstone and essential component in creating the biomimetic environment for the organ on a chip is the use of PDMS. We should take into account PDMS’s possible drawbacks in addition to its numerous advantageous qualities for the creation of microfluidic systems, such as its easy manufacture, high biocompatibility, optical transparency, and flexibility. Because PDMS may absorb small hydrophobic compounds, such as certain medicines, fluorescent dyes, or cell signaling molecules, its usage in drug discovery applications may provide challenges. Reduced effective drug concentrations, cross-contamination, decreased detection sensitivity, and increased background fluorescence could be the outcomes of this. Furthermore, residual uncrosslinked oligomers may leak from PDMS and interact with cells and culture medium, making it unsuitable for scaling up the production of microfluidic devices. Consequently, finding substitute materials with comparable qualities will be crucial in the future, especially for applications involving drug discovery.
      • There are more examples and information in the infographic to help understand the microfluidic system and the principles of organ-on-a-chip: Organ-on-a-chip infographic.

Future Perspectives 

1. 1. Clinical Impact
      • AstraZeneca is the first pharmaceutical company to use this “organs on chip” technology, which can less rely on animal testing. Since the chips can mimic human organ responses to drugs and diseases, this can offer an ethical alternative to animal testing, aligning with increasing regulatory and societal pressures for humane research methods​
   2. Scientific Impact
      • Organ-on-chip technology could significantly influence the development of polymeric biomaterials by providing advanced platforms for testing and optimizing new polymers. This could lead to the creation of more effective and biocompatible materials for medical devices, tissue engineering, and drug delivery systems.