Organ-on-a-Chip, Organoid-on-a-Chip, and Tumor-Immune-on-a-Chip technologies

중점연구분야 내용

1. 1. Importance of Organ-on-a-Chip Technology

Organ-on-a-Chip technologies create miniature models of human organs that simulate the function and structure of organs or tissues outside the body. Tumor-on-a-Chip systems are a subset, primarily focusing on cancer research due to the significance of the disease. Organoids, which are developed from stem cells, can be induced to form multi-cellular organ structures in a lab setting. In comparison, 3D spheroids are a combination of various differentiated cells from specific organs, creating 3D structures that help mature cellular functions. These organ-mimicking constructs can be further integrated to form artificial organs for biomedical research.

Research is ongoing to combine organoids with microfluidic chips, embedding organoid tissues within devices equipped with circuitry. Such advanced organoid techniques have the potential to replace animal testing, offering a more ethical and potentially more accurate alternative.

According to the KDB Future Strategy Institute report on alternative testing methods, the demand for alternatives to animal testing is rising globally, driven by major nations' efforts to reduce animal use in research. As a result, the organ-on-a-chip market is projected to grow from $87.87 million in 2022 to $621 million by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate of 32.21%. To support this growth, South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is investing 47.5 billion KRW over five years, starting in 2023, to standardize organoid and organ-on-a-chip-based testing.

1. 2. Scope of Research and Technology Development:

⊙ Developing multi-organ-on-a-chip systems

⊙ Combining organoids with organ-on-a-chip platforms

⊙ Creating alternative testing methods for drug efficacy and toxicity assessment using organ chips

1. 3. Need for Focusing on these Technologies by Sungkyunkwan University

In Gyeonggi Province’s southern region, where Suwon is located, there is a high concentration of pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Eighteen companies in this area specialize in drug efficacy testing, including major firms like Bioinfra Co. and Woojung Bio, both publicly listed. As part of a project led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, Suwon has applied to establish a Bio-IT biotechnology cluster focused on organoid culture. This cluster, which includes Sungkyunkwan University professors as project leaders, aims to support advanced drug evaluation methods and alternative testing. This initiative underscores the growing industrial significance of technologies like organoids and tumor organoids, particularly in the context of replacing animal testing.

In summary, this proposal emphasizes the necessity and potential of organoid and organ-on-a-chip technology to serve as an industrially valuable tool for advanced research, drug development, and the future of alternative testing.

2. 4. Other content

Our research team comprises distinguished professors across a range of research disciplines, including Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Material Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, etc. This interdisciplinary combination allows us to address the project’s research requirements comprehensively. Each team member brings specialized knowledge that collectively supports the development and application of advanced technologies such as organ-on-a-chip and organoid systems. With expertise spanning from biological systems and mechanical modeling to drug development, material innovation, and biomedical applications, our team is well-positioned to lead this project to success.

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