Organ-on-a-Chip technology developer Emulate has released the Chip-R1 Rigid Chip to improve biological modelling for ADME and toxicology applications.
Made from low-drug-absorbing plastics, the new Organ-Chip model is designed to minimise drug absorption.
The Chip-R1 builds upon the core microfluidic design of Organ-Chips. Researchers can achieve greater precision in predicting human drug responses. This new offering also enhances the accuracy of Organ-Chip experiments and boosts research across many other avenues.
US-based Emulate’s Organ-on-a-Chip technology aids researchers in academia, pharma, and government. Its predictive capabilities help recreate true-to-life human biology.
The Chip-R1’s modified vascular channel design allows for physiologically relevant levels of shear stress. According to Emulate, this feature is important for vascular biology, including immune cell recruitment.
The model also has a thinner membrane with smaller pores. This allows enhanced cellular crosstalk and better approximations of the in vivo milieu.
The Chip-R1 features minimally drug-absorbing materials for precise compound testing.
It also has a pre-activated tissue culture membrane that simplifies the user workflow. Furthermore, the design reduces imaging distance, enhancing compatibility with microscopy.
Emulate chief technology officer Danny Levner said: “This represents a step change in Emulate’s Organ-on-a-Chip technology, enabling customers to test compounds that were previously not addressable.
“With its low-drug-absorbing properties, Chip-R1 is well suited for drug development applications like pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, where consistent and predictable drug exposure is critical.”
The Chip-R1 retains the microfluidic architecture of the Chip-S1 Stretchable Chip. It features co-culture to model tissue-tissue interfaces.
In addition, the chip allows independent perfusion of the apical and basal channels. It is also compatible with Emulate’s instrumentation hardware.
According to Emulate, the new polycarbonate tissue culture membrane makes Chip-R1 suitable for organ models that do not need mechanical stretch to mimic physiological functions.
Emulate chief scientific officer Lorna Ewart said: “With improved detection of hepatotoxicity compared to Chip-S1, it broadens the use of Organ-Chips to scientists who were previously concerned about how potential drug absorption impacts the accuracy of detecting drug-induced toxicity of small molecule lipophilic drugs.”
Last year, the Organ-Chip models and technology company unveiled its Emulate Chip-A1 Accessible Chip.
