The role of microfluidic systems in disease modeling and tissue engineering

Zandi, Ghazaleh; Tahmasebi, Negin; Hoshyari, Horasa; Akbari, Kimia; Azar Bahram, Mitra; Abbaszadeh, Kosar; Dashtizad, Mojtaba

doi:10.22034/cmr.2026.8701.3338

The role of microfluidic systems in disease modeling and tissue engineering

Articles in Press

Document Type : Review Paper

Authors

Ghazaleh Zandi ¹

Negin Tahmasebi ¹

Horasa Hoshyari ²

Kimia Akbari ²

Mitra Azar Bahram ²

kosar abbaszadeh ³

Mojtaba Dashtizad ¹

¹ Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory (EmBio Lab), National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran

² Department of Cellular and Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

³ Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory, (EmBio Lab), National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran,Iran

10.22034/cmr.2026.8701.3338

Abstract

Accurate simulation of the complexities of diseases such as cancer, neurological disorders, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases remains highly challenging when using animal models and two-dimensional cell culture systems due to their inherent limitations in reproducing dynamic microenvironments and multicellular interactions. Microfluidic systems, particularly organ-on-a-chip (OoC) technology, provide advanced solutions for disease modeling and tissue engineering. By precisely reconstructing physiological microenvironments, establishing controlled chemical gradients, applying mechanical forces, and generating dynamic three-dimensional architectures, these platforms enable effective simulation of complex cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix interactions. Key advantages of these systems include reduced sample consumption, increased throughput, lower experimental costs, and enhanced predictive power of preclinical models. In addition, improved experimental reproducibility and the capability for multi-organ integration represent important features of these technologies. These platforms have opened new horizons in studying disease mechanisms, drug screening, and the advancement of personalized medicine. This review focuses on three main areas: disease modeling, tissue engineering, and their applications in cancer, neurological, cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic, bone, intestinal, brain, and kidney diseases.

Keywords

Microfluidic systems

Disease modeling

Tissue engineering

Organ-on-a-chip

Subjects