Scientists Design Chips to Act Like Human Organs

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İngilizce Öğren LingoVivo News

The complex and costly process of testing new drugs in the United States has prompted innovative solutions from scientists. A notable development is the creation of silicon computer chips that emulate human organs, a project under the Tissue Chip for Drug Screening Program initiated by the US National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). This endeavor seeks to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of drug development.

These compact chips, each smaller than a child's hand, incorporate living cells that replicate the functions and reactions of diverse human organs. For instance, a three-dimensional chip can simulate the behavior of a human lung, while others model the intricacies of the digestive system. Introducing drugs to these artificial organs is facilitated through micro-tubes.

What sets this approach apart is the depth of information it provides, surpassing traditional methods involving animal or cell models. Researchers can meticulously examine a drug's impact on various organ systems, allowing a comprehensive understanding of its effects before progressing to human trials. The ultimate goal is to simplify the drug development process and identify the safest and most efficacious drugs before embarking on human testing.

Questions

1- What motivated scientists to develop silicon computer chips for drug testing?

2- How do the silicon chips in the Tissue Chip for Drug Screening Program differ from traditional testing methods?

3- What is the ultimate goal of the Tissue Chip for Drug Screening Program?

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Parts of this lesson are based on: An article Voice of America.