Microsensor systems for cell metabolism - from 2D culture to organ-on-chip (2019-2024).

Cell cultures, organs-on-chip and microphysiological systems become increasingly relevant as models, , in drug development, disease modelling, toxicology or cancer research. It has been underlined repeatedly that culture conditions and metabolic cues have a strong or even essential influence on the reproducibility and validity of such experiments but are often not appropriately measured or controlled. Here we review microsensor systems for cell metabolism for the continuous measurement of culture conditions in microfluidic and lab-on-chip platforms.

Bioprinting-based automated deposition of single cancer cell spheroids into oxygen sensor microelectrode wells.

Three-dimensional (3D) cell agglomerates, such as microtissues, organoids, and spheroids, become increasingly relevant in biomedicine. They can provide models that recapitulate functions of the original tissue in the body and have applications in cancer research. For example, they are widely used in organ-on-chip systems.

Microfluidic organ-on-chip system for multi-analyte monitoring of metabolites in 3D cell cultures.

Three-dimensional cell cultures using patient-derived stem cells are essential models for a more efficient and individualized cancer therapy. Currently, culture conditions and metabolite concentrations, especially hypoxia, are often not accessible continuously and within microphysiological systems. However, understanding and standardizing the cellular microenvironment are the key to successful models.