What is organ-on-a-chip?
Organ-on-a-chip (OoC) is a technology that uses microfabrication techniques to create miniature models of biological organs, such as the lung, heart, or gut, on a chip-sized device. These microfabricated devices are made up of living cells that are grown on a microscale platform and mimic the structure and function of the organ they represent. The cells are typically arranged in a way that mimics the native three-dimensional structure of the organ and is perfused with fluids, such as blood or air, to represent the physiological environment of the organ.
OoC technology is used to create more accurate and reliable models of organs and tissues that can better replicate the complex microenvironment and interactions of cells within an organ. 3D cell models can be used to study disease, drug development, and toxicology in a more accurate and realistic way than traditional 2D cell cultures.

The OrganoPlate® 3-lane 64 culture chip and schematic representation along with the an Illustration of a tubule of cells grown against an ECM gel.
How does organ-on-a-chip technology work
Organ-on-a-chip technology typically consists of a polymer material that is molded into the shape that mimics some aspects of morphology of the organ of interest. Cells are then seeded onto the chip and allowed to grow and form functional 3D structures that would resemble cell composition and structure of tissues. In some cases, the chip may be designed to include microfluidic channels mimicking the microvasculature of an organ to provide blood flow or other physiological conditions including nutrients and oxygen to the cells.
In order to have a more realistic representation of the organ of interest, various cell types can be combined to form a 3D structure, this can be done by using different layer of cells, or by using hydrogel-based matrices to mimic the extracellular matrix of the organ. Various techniques can be applied to mimic the mechanical, electrical, and chemical microenvironment of the organ. For instance, the chip can be perfused with fluids to provide blood flow, or it can be mechanically stimulated to mimic heart contractions. Additionally, sensors can be integrated into the chip to measure things like oxygen, pH, and temperature, in order to monitor the health and function of the cells.
The chip is placed in an incubator where cell growth can be monitored using various techniques such as microscopy, imaging, or biochemical assays. Once the chip is fully functional, scientists can use it to study disease, drug development, and toxicology in a controlled and highly reproducible way. This is because the chip can be used to mimic the same conditions, in the same way, every time an experiment is run, allowing scientists to compare data consistently across different experiments and treatments.
Automation of the organ-on-a-chip assay for high-throughput screening
Here we describe a workflow for automation of OoC culture, as well as monitoring, and automated cell analysis. The automated method utilizes an integrated work-cell comprising several instruments that allow the automation and monitoring of cell culture. The high-content imaging system enables the characterization of 3D cell model development, as well as testing the effects of compounds. The integrated system includes the ImageXpress® Micro Confocal High-Content Imaging System, an automated CO2 incubator, a liquid handler (Biomek i7), and collaborative robot. We developed methods for automation of cell seeding, media exchange, and for monitoring the development and growth of 3D vasculature. In addition, the method facilitates automated compound testing and evaluation of toxicity effects.
Watch OoC poster presentation with Oksana Sirenko, Sr. Application Scientist on how our high-content imaging solutions can scale up and automate 3D imaging of organ-on-a-chip systems.
Figure 1. Layout of the individual instruments in the workcell is illustrated in (A). The instruments are controlled by an integrated software (Green Button Go) that allows for set up of processes. An example of the process to monitor cells in culture is shown in (B). Here, the plates are moved from the incubator to the ImageXpress Confocal HT.ai for imaging in brightfield and then back to the incubator. The process can also be scheduled, and plates that need to be imaged can be entered as a list to enable easier batch processing. More complex routines that include the liquid handler for media exchanges (feeding) can also be implemented.
Organ-on-a-Chip applications and assays
Combining this complex biology with advanced high-content imaging techniques and AI/machine learning 3D analysis capabilities opens up a whole new level of assays. Here we share our methods for automation of the cell culture, assays, and analysis can provide the tools necessary to facilitate and scale up the use of organ-on-a-chip systems.
Resources for Organ-on-a-chip
Blog
How 3D Cell Models Will Shape the Future of Drug Discovery
How 3D Cell Models Will Shape the Future of Drug Discovery
Target discovery and drug development rely heavily on 2D cell and animal models to decipher efficacy and toxic effect of drug candidates. Yet, 90% of candidates fail to make it past…
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3D organoids and automation of complex cell assays [Podcast]
3D organoids and automation of complex cell assays [Podcast]
As we enter the era of sophisticated drug discovery with gene therapy and personalized medicine, we need to be prepared to study complex diseases, assess the therapeutic effect of…
eBook
Building complexity in organoid models
Building complexity in organoid models
Complex biological systems such as spheroids, organoids, and organ-on-a-chip are becoming more popular for disease modeling and drug screening as they better simulate organs and tissues comp…
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Advanced technology for automated 3D biology workflows #SLASEurope2022
Advanced technology for automated 3D biology workflows #SLASEurope2022
SLAS Europe 2022, hosted numerous sessions packed with the latest research on emerging topics as well as sessions and panel discussions focused on how to build, and succeed, in a…
eBook
Capture True 3D Cell Culture Insights
Capture True 3D Cell Culture Insights
Development of more complex, biologically relevant, and predictive cell-based assays for compound screening is a primary challenge in drug discovery. The integration of three-dimensional (3D…
Blog
How automated organoid cell cultures are developed, imaged, and analyzed
How automated organoid cell cultures are developed, imaged, and analyzed
3D cell models are becoming increasingly popular for studying complex biological effects, tissue functionality, and diseases. Their ability to self-organize and mimic…
Application Note
Automation of an organ-on-a-chip assay: automated culture, imaging, and analysis of angiogenesis
Automation of an organ-on-a-chip assay: automated culture, imaging, and analysis of angiogenesis
3D cellular models are increasingly popular in many areas of research because they recapitulate the cellular 3D microenvironment better than cells grown in 2D monolayer.
Scientific Poster
Automation of the organ-on a chip assay: automated culture, imaging and analysis of angiogenesis
Automation of the organ-on a chip assay: automated culture, imaging and analysis of angiogenesis
There is a critical need for biological model systems that better resemble human biology. Three-dimensional (3D) cell models and organ-on-a-chip (OoC) structures representing various tissues…
Blog
Engineering Next-gen Organoids with Automated Lab Workflows at #SLAS2022
Engineering Next-gen Organoids with Automated Lab Workflows at #SLAS2022
SLAS2022, the Society for Lab Automation and Screening conference offered another exciting year for learning about innovative laboratory technologies. Whether you attended in-person…
Blog
Enabling 3D High-Content Imaging and Analysis on the Organ-on-a-Chip Platform
Enabling 3D High-Content Imaging and Analysis on the Organ-on-a-Chip Platform
Imagine having the ability to mimic the human biological environment for disease modeling and drug screening and doing so in a micro-scale system. With the development of organ-on-a-…
Blog
Innovation at Molecular Devices: Updates in Automated, High-Content Imaging
Innovation at Molecular Devices: Updates in Automated, High-Content Imaging
From customer feedback to workflow improvements The path to understanding complex biological processes and diseases is paved with a lot of challenges. As the desired level of…
Publications
Talking Techniques | Organoids: advancing drug discovery and cancer research
Talking Techniques | Organoids: advancing drug discovery and cancer research
"As the transition from 2D to 3D cell cultures, or organoids, as the gold standard for modeling basic biology and disease continues, these models are being utilized in ever more intricate an…
Publications
How two industry leaders are advancing ‘organ-on-a-chip’ models to accelerate novel approaches in medicine
How two industry leaders are advancing ‘organ-on-a-chip’ models to accelerate novel approaches in medicine
The ability to accurately predict how a drug candidate will affect the human body, both in its therapeutic efficacy and potential toxicity, is a central aim in drug development. Strategies t…
eBook
Transform your cell imaging
Transform your cell imaging
From endpoint and live-cell imaging applications to imaging and analyzing 2D monolayers, 3D cell models, and organ-on-a-chip platforms, the world of cellular imaging is very diverse. The fle…
Blog
Overcome the challenges of high-throughput 3D imaging
Overcome the challenges of high-throughput 3D imaging
Thanks to recent advances in imaging technologies, we are now able to observe and analyze complex cellular networks in three dimensions. Through 3D imaging, we can acquire and…
Publications
Disease Modeling with 3D Cell-Based Assays Using a Novel Flowchip System and High-Content Imaging
Disease Modeling with 3D Cell-Based Assays Using a Novel Flowchip System and High-Content Imaging
There is an increasing interest in using three-dimensional (3D) cell structures for modeling tumors, organs, and tissue to accelerate translational research. We describe here a novel automat…
Blog
Get to know our Field Applications Scientist: Dwayne Carter
Get to know our Field Applications Scientist: Dwayne Carter
Dwayne Carter gives us a taste of 3D bioprinting, clone screening, and Caribbean cuisine Dwayne Carter is a cell biologist and educator who joined Molecular Devices in November 2020…
Blog
Water immersion technology and high-content imaging: A closer look
Water immersion technology and high-content imaging: A closer look
Three-dimensional (3D) cellular assays have emerged as a valuable tool in drug discovery and biological research, as they closely mimic in vivo environments and are shown to…
Scientific Poster
3D imaging and analysis of angiogenesis in the organ-on-a-chip platform
3D imaging and analysis of angiogenesis in the organ-on-a-chip platform
Angiogenesis is the physiological process of formation and remodeling of new blood vessels and capillaries from pre-existing blood vessels.1 This can be achieved through endothelial sproutin…
eBook
High-content imaging for diverse 3D cell culture models
High-content imaging for diverse 3D cell culture models
Investigate diverse 3D models and resolve common challenges experienced in 3D cell culture assays.
Application Note
3D image analysis and characterization of angiogenesis in organ-on-a-chip model
3D image analysis and characterization of angiogenesis in organ-on-a-chip model
Angiogenesis is the physiological process of formation and remodeling of new blood vessels and capillaries from pre-existing blood vessels. This can be achieved through endothelial…
Scientific Poster
Water immersion objectives for automated high-content imaging to improve precision and quality of complex biological assays
Water immersion objectives for automated high-content imaging to improve precision and quality of complex biological assays
The purpose of these studies was to determine if water immersion objectives, used to improve image quality in complex biological assays, could be used in a high-throughput environment.
Publications
High-content screening of complex physiologically-relevant cell models
High-content screening of complex physiologically-relevant cell models
Recent years have seen an increasing demand for drug discovery and development processes to use more predictive, higher complexity, physiologically-relevant three-dimensional (3D) cell model…
Customer Breakthrough
MIMETAS uses the ImageXpress Pico and ImageXpress Micro Confocal systems to develop tissue models for their OrganoPlates®
MIMETAS uses the ImageXpress Pico and ImageXpress Micro Confocal systems to develop tissue models for their OrganoPlates®
MIMETAS offers the OrganoPlate®, a unique 3D organ-on-a-chip platform. The OrganoPlate® is a fully compatible microfluidic culture plate, enabling testing of compounds in any throughput on m…
eBook
Acquire and analyze 3D images like a pro
Acquire and analyze 3D images like a pro
There has been significant progress in the development of 3D models and techniques during the last few years. Methods include biodegradable scaffolds, organ-on-a chip structures, or self-ass…
Scientific Poster
High-Content Assay for Morphological Characterization of 3D Neuronal Networks in a Microfluidic Platform
High-Content Assay for Morphological Characterization of 3D Neuronal Networks in a Microfluidic Platform
The absence of physiologically relevant in vitro models of the nervous system is an important limitation in using 3D cultures for assay development applicable for neurodegenerative diseases…
Customer Breakthrough
University of Edinburgh uses QPix colony pickers to scale up DNA manufacturing
University of Edinburgh uses QPix colony pickers to scale up DNA manufacturing
The Edinburgh Genome Foundry (EGF) manufactures genetic material for their customers using a fully automated robotic platform, creating and modifying strands of DNA up to one mega base pairs…
Videos & Webinars

High-throughput, organoid-derived organ-on-a-chip systems for drug discovery and disease modelling

Physiologically-Relevant Tissue Models Using a High-Throughput Organ-on-a-Chip Platform