An
alternative has been found by the scientists, which has broken the way of
developing new drugs by using a paradigm. To test a single compound, it takes
years of research and huge amount has to be spent on it. In the course, lot
number of animals live is lost. The
process may sometime fail to predict human response, as the response by the
animals and the humans will not be same. All the above factors lead the
Pharmaceutical industries to find an alternative. So, once again it is proved
that
“Necessity is the mother of invention.”
The Wyss institute team has found
the new solution for this. They combined
micro fabrication with modern tissue engineering. Drug screening which follows vitro
approach mimics the complicated mechanical and biochemical behaviors’ of human
beings. The micro architecture and
functions of lung, heart, and intestine are recapitulated on microchips.
These
microchips are called as “Organs-on-chips.”
One day these chips will become the best alternative for animals. This
organ chip consists of clear flexible polymer and contains hollow micro fluid
channels linked by living human cells. This organ chip size will be equivalent
to computer memory chip. As these micro
chips are translucent, they may provide a window into the inner workings of
human organ. These micro chips are connected to a automated instrument to mimic
whole body-physiology.