器官芯片，守护人类健康的新选项

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accelerating its policy to end all mammal testing by 2035, shifting toxicology assessments from animal models to human cell-based methods, organ-on-a-chip technology, artificial intelligence, and high-throughput in vitro testing [1] Group 1: Organ-on-a-Chip Technology - Organ-on-a-chip technology is gaining attention as a non-animal testing method, with a notable team led by Gu Zhongze at Southeast University successfully commercializing their research over a decade [1][2] - The organ-on-a-chip system mimics human organ functions using human stem cells, allowing for the cultivation of miniaturized organs like "mini hearts" that can beat autonomously for over 180 days [2][3] - The accuracy of organ-on-a-chip technology in detecting drug hepatotoxicity exceeds 90%, compared to 50-60% for traditional animal testing, revolutionizing drug development processes [3] Group 2: Collaboration and Applications - The collaboration between Gu Zhongze's team and companies like Hengrui Medicine has led to the successful screening of over 120 compounds in just eight months, a feat difficult to achieve with animal models [3][4] - The technology also enables the cultivation of "mini tumors," providing personalized drug testing platforms for cancer patients, thus facilitating tailored treatment strategies [4] Group 3: Innovation and Industrialization - Gu Zhongze's team has established a cross-disciplinary approach to overcome challenges in biocompatibility, 3D microstructure processing, and long-term cell culture, leading to the formation of a domestic organ-on-a-chip technology system [5][6] - The establishment of the Southeast University Suzhou Medical Device Research Institute in 2017 has laid the groundwork for the industrialization of organ-on-a-chip technology, resulting in the creation of Aiweide Biotechnology Co., Ltd. [6] - Aiweide has formed partnerships with leading domestic pharmaceutical companies, providing organ-on-a-chip products and services to over 200 enterprises and research institutions [6] Group 4: Challenges and Future Directions - Despite advancements, the organ-on-a-chip industry faces challenges such as the need for continuous technological breakthroughs and the establishment of industry standards [8][9] - The complexity of constructing organ-on-a-chip systems requires specialized skills, and the lack of standardized methods hinders data comparability across different laboratories [9] - The Chinese government has recognized organ-on-a-chip technology as a strategic research direction, encouraging more investment and research in this field [9]