Organ-o-a-Chip Flashcards
What are the advantages of 2D cell culture?
Simple, fast, cost-effective for drug discovery.
Supports the 3Rs (Refine, Replace, Reduce) by reducing animal testing.
What are the main limitations of 2D cell culture?
Does not replicate the natural 3D environment.
Provides misleading/non-predictive in vivo responses.
Fails in clinical trials due to the unnatural microenvironment.
How does 3D cell culture better mimic in vivo conditions?
Provides extracellular matrix (ECM) and 3D structure.
Better represents tissue microenvironments.
Influences gene expression, signal transduction, and cellular behavior.
How does cell morphology differ in 2D vs. 3D cultures?
3D systems better replicate in vivo structures.
What is the difference in drug response between 2D and 3D cultures?
3D cultures contain a mix of proliferative, quiescent, apoptotic, and necrotic cells.
2D cultures mostly consist of proliferative cells.
How does drug accessibility differ between 2D and 3D cultures?
2D cultures have uniform diffusion.
3D cultures have variable diffusion and local pH differences, affecting drug uptake.
What are spheroids in 3D culture?
The simplest 3D model with nutrient and oxygen gradients.
What are the main methods of spheroid generation?
Matrix-based: Seeding on/acellular matrix or dispersing in a liquid matrix.
Matrix-free: Suspension cultures (hanging drop, agitation methods).
What are the structural zones of a spheroid?
Outer proliferative layer.
Middle quiescent zone.
Necrotic core.
What is the key difference between scaffold-based and scaffold-free systems?
Scaffold-based: Uses natural/synthetic materials for structure.
Scaffold-free: Relies on cell self-aggregation.
What are organoids, and how are they derived?
Organoids are 3D structures derived from primary tissue or stem cells, exhibiting organ-like functionality.
List three applications of organoids.
Developmental biology: Study embryonic development and tissue homeostasis.
Disease pathology: Model infectious diseases.
Personalized medicine: Ex vivo drug testing using patient-derived organoids.
How do organoids differ from spheroids in formation and maintenance?
Formation: Spheroids form via cell-to-cell adhesion; organoids form via internal developmental processes.
Maintenance: Organoids retain genetic features and have long-term viability, while spheroids have limited longevity.
Why is 3D cell culture important in drug discovery?
Identifies drug targets missed in 2D cultures.
Supports the development of targeted cancer therapies.
What is Organ-on-a-Chip (OoC) technology?
A technology that mimics organ functions using 3D cell culture, materials science, and engineering.
What are three examples of Organ-on-a-Chip systems?
Lung-on-a-Chip: Mimics breathing motion and air-liquid interface.
Heart-on-a-Chip: Simulates heart tissue mechanics and electrical activity.
Pancreas-on-a-Chip: Investigates insulin secretion and glucose metabolism.
What are some challenges in Organ-on-a-Chip technology?
Lack of vascular systems for oxygen, nutrients, and waste removal.
Complexities in mimicking multi-organ interactions.
What are the key properties of biomaterials used in bioprinting?
Porosity: Allows nutrient exchange.
Biocompatibility: Avoids cell damage.
Biodegradability: Degrades safely over time.
Mechanical properties: Includes elasticity and solubility.
What is the difference between FDM and SLA 3D printing?
FDM: Uses thermoplastics (PLA, PET, ABS), cheap and accessible but limited for biological applications.
SLA: Uses photosensitive resin, high precision but expensive and material-limited.
How do 3D printed microphysiological chambers contribute to biomedical research?
Simulate human organ functions.
Improve in vivo mimicry, reducing reliance on animal testing.
Enhance pharmacokinetic studies for drug testing.
What is a key difference in the structural complexity of spheroids vs. organoids?
Spheroids: Simple, homogeneous cell clusters formed via adhesion.
Organoids: More complex, self-organizing structures with distinct tissue-like regions.
Which has a closer resemblance to in vivo tissues: spheroids or organoids? Why?
Organoids resemble in vivo tissues more closely because they maintain genetic, structural, and functional properties of the original organ, while spheroids primarily model basic cellular interactions.
How does 3D printing contribute to Organ-on-a-Chip technology?
Enables precise microfabrication of chips with controlled architecture.
Facilitates integration of biocompatible materials for enhanced cell interactions.
What are the advantages of Organ-on-a-Chip models over traditional in vitro models?
Better mimicry of organ physiology and function.
Enables dynamic fluid flow for more accurate cellular responses.
Reduces reliance on animal models for testing.
