Organs-on-a-chip

Year

2026

The idea

The automated production of organs-on-a-chip will accelerate the development of medications.

The objective

A bioprinter prints human cell material onto a microfluidic chip, which grows into an organ-like piece of tissue. Organs-on-a-chip systems enable medications to be tested at an early stage.

Technical data

• Diffusion-bonded manifold
• SupraMotion
• Control unit
• Pressure-vacuum generator
• Media-separated solenoid valve
• Electric axis
• Servo drive regulator
• Drop-on-demand technology

Background

The development of new medications is a laborious, expensive process: new medication candidates first undergo preclinical studies using cell cultures and animals. Only a few are finally tested in humans, and around four out of five of these currently fail due to the often poor transferability of the results to the human organism. Organs-on-a-chip systems enable efficacy and side effects to be tested at a much earlier stage, so that animal experiments can be reduced to a minimum and unsuitable candidate medications rejected more quickly.

Operating principle

In this microfabrication process, cells are precisely positioned and cultured on substrates of polymer or plastic. They are supplied via fine channels, with flow behaviour and concentration gradients replicating those in the human body. In this way, mechanical influences and interactions between different cell types can be simulated. The result is individualised organs-on-a-chip structures that provide valuable research data.

Technology

With intelligent control technology, the bioprinting process is automated, contact-free and environment-conscious. The microfluidic chip, which levitates above a magnet, is printed with a hydrogel containing the living cells. After the material is cross-linked with UV light, the system is securely sealed with a silicone-coated glass coverslip. Inside these channels, the cells are bathed in nutrient fluid and grow together to form a piece of organic tissue.

Bonded manifold

The organ-on-a-chip technology combines SupraMotion with bonded-manifold technology: the multi-layer distribution plates with microchannels enable precise dosing and sterile handling of the fluids. The cells, which are supplied with a nutrient solution, can be safely and reliably transported in the bonded manifold. This adaptable system stands for learning, personalized medicine, biotransformation and the circular economy.

Material

Organs-on-a-Chip