organ-Chip model

Lung-Chip

Study lung physiology, disease, and the effect of drug candidates

Lung‑Chip Overview

A more human-relevant model for studying pulmonary physiology, with primary human cells in a lung-specific microenvironment

We are currently developing two distinct models of the human lung—the Alveolus Lung-Chip and the Airway Lung-Chip—to capture the specific tissue architecture and function of different lung tissues. Both models will enable researchers to investigate pathophysiology and evaluate drug effect during preclinical discovery and development.

A short video showing human lung airway cilia performing mucociliary clearance in the Lung-Chip.

Characterization

Human-based co-culture models with relevant physical forces

Unlike commonly used cell line models, the Lung-Chip incorporates a co-culture of primary human lung epithelial and endothelial cells in a dynamic microenvironment. Cell-cell interactions, flow, and stretch when relevant improve functionality, resulting in in vivo-like cell differentiation, cilia behavior, mucociliary clearance, and a tight epithelial barrier.

Benefits

Human-relevant models of the alveolus and small airway

Both models include epithelial and lung-specific endothelial cells on either side of a porous, ECM-coated membrane. Researchers can incorporate mechanical cues and soluble factors critical to cell function and differentiation in vivo.

Primary human cell model

A co-culture of primary human epithelial and endothelial lung cells allows for cell-cell interactions and reduces translational challenges caused by species differences in animal models.

Tissue-relevant mechanical forces

A dynamic microenvironment—
including media flow and stretch to emulate peristalsis—is modeled on-chip to improve functionality and morphology as well as promote ciliation and formation of confluent epithelial and endothelial layers.

Air-liquid interface
(ALI)

The Lung-Chip supports human-relevant exposure of the epithelium to air as seen in vivo, promoting epithelial cell differentiation.

Part of the Human Emulation System®

The Human Emulation System is comprised of instruments, consumables, and software in a flexible, open format. The user-friendly platform gives researchers a window into the inner workings of human biology.

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Get Started Today

Experience the predictive power of Organ-on-a-Chip technology.

Basic Kit

Includes chips and reagents for use with customer cell sourcing.

FEATURED RESOURCE

User Publication: Nature Biomedical Engineering

A human-Airway-on-a-Chip for the Rapid Identification of Candidate Antiviral Therapeutics and Prophylactics