Body on a chip: Re-creation of a living system in vitro

The recent advancement of lab-on-a-chip (LOC) technology based on nano/microfabrication for applications in biology has led to the establishment of in vitro tissue systems that achieve a deeper understanding of tissue functions. Nowadays, this type of device is called ?organ on a chip.? As an advancement from this technology, a new research trend called body on a chip is emerging. This new technology enables the re-creation of physiological and pathological conditions of the human body in an in vitro system and, therefore, could be a powerful tool not only for studying fundamental biology but also for drug discovery. However, body on a chip is still in the proof-of-concept stage, and more research and technological advancements are clearly necessary to achieve its practical application. We provide an overview of the ongoing trends in developing individual building blocks and some trials on developing body on a chip, as well as its future prospects.