Innovative Cancer-on-a-Chip Technology Aims to Transform Personalized Medicine
Eindhoven, Thursday, 13 March 2025.
Dutch researcher Mohammad Jouybar at Eindhoven University has advanced cancer-on-a-chip technology, enhancing cancer biology understanding and paving the way for personalized treatment breakthroughs.
Revolutionary Microfluidic Design
Mohammad Jouybar’s research at Eindhoven University of Technology focuses on developing specialized organ-on-a-chip and cancer-on-a-chip devices that allow researchers to precisely control cell types and biomechanical factors [1]. The technology, which has been evolving over the past 15 years, represents a significant advancement in disease modeling and therapeutic testing, offering a more ethical and cost-effective alternative to traditional animal testing methods [1].
Advanced Cell Trapping Technology
Recent innovations in the field include improved microfluidic designs that enhance cancer cell capture efficiency. Studies have shown that U-shaped traps with 9 μm apertures demonstrate superior performance in capturing cancer cells, with each trap capable of holding 27-28 cells uniformly [3]. This precise control over cell placement and growth enables researchers to better study tumor formation and drug responses in a controlled environment.
Benefits for Personalized Medicine
The technology represents a significant advancement in personalized medicine approaches by providing more accurate models of patient-specific tumor environments [5]. These systems integrate with microengineering and biomaterials to create sophisticated in vitro models that can simulate drug responses in real-time [5]. This capability is particularly valuable for developing tailored treatment plans for cancer patients, potentially reducing the reliance on traditional animal testing methods [1][5].
Future Developments
The field continues to evolve, with an upcoming international conference scheduled for June 12-13, 2025, in Berlin, Germany, where researchers will discuss further developments in cancer cell chip technology [2]. The conference will focus on various aspects including design and fabrication of tumor-on-a-chip systems, advanced 3D in vitro tumor models, and applications in drug discovery and screening [2].