Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have developed a groundbreaking 3D-printed “body-on-chip” device that mimics the flow of medicine through a patient’s body.
The device, the first of its kind in the world, has five compartments replicating the human heart, lungs, kidney, liver, and brain. Using positron emission tomography (PET) scanning, the plastic device allows researchers to test drugs and observe how different organs react without the need for live animal testing.
The technology aims to speed up drug development, reduce the reliance on animal testing, and provide insights into the systemic effects of diseases. Researchers believe it has the potential to reduce costs, accelerate drug translation, and enhance understanding of human diseases.