Bypassing the Petri Dish: How 3D Bioprinting and Organ-on-a-Chip Models Are Redefining Drug Testing
The scientific pursuit of human health has long relied on animal models, a standard that, while foundational, is increasingly proving inadequate. Charu Chandrasekera, through her work with the Canadian Centre...
The scientific pursuit of human health has long relied on animal models, a standard that, while foundational, is increasingly proving inadequate. Charu Chandrasekera, through her work with the Canadian Centre for Alternatives to Animal Methods, has spearheaded the transition toward sophisticated *in vitro* systems. Her vision is not merely to replace animal tests one-for-one, but to advance biomedical research using the most physiologically accurate tools available. This approach centers on creating complex, living systems—such as bioprinted human liver tissue or heart models—that mimic human function with high fidelity.
The engineering ingenuity lies in the synergy between three platforms: 3D bioprinting, microphysiological systems (MPS), and advanced organ-on-a-chip technology. Unlike simple cell cultures, these methods are engineered to incorporate key biological complexities, such as vascularization, electrical stimulation, and perfusion. For instance, cardiac models, exemplified by Professor Milica Radisic's research, demonstrate rhythmic function by lowering oxygen levels, allowing researchers to observe localized failure and subsequent molecular rescue. The bioprinting capability further elevates this by allowing researchers to construct multiple, integrated human tissue types (like a 'disease-in-a-dish') that can interact in a manner that cannot be replicated by isolated organs or simple animal models. This shift allows for multi-scale modeling and simulation, enabling the study of complex processes like heart attack progression or drug toxicity in a hyper-human context.
Chandrasekera’s scientific credentials, including her work utilizing 3D bioprinting and *in silico* modeling, underline a deep grasp of both biochemistry and molecular biology. Her position as an internationally recognized voice in regulatory science—representing Canada on the ICATM consortium and advising US/EU bodies—is critical. She is establishing a global framework, advocating for the acceptance of these complex methods by regulatory bodies like Health Canada. The core argument is compelling: these alternative models offer a pathway to better predictive accuracy, bypassing the notorious rate at which animal-tested drugs fail in human clinical trials.
The industry is shifting towards microphysiological systems (MPS) that build human biology in a dish, offering superior translational accuracy to animal models, but sustained government funding and regulatory adoption are essential for Canada to maintain global leadership in this field.
While Canada is structurally prepared with key legislation (like Bill S-5 for toxicology), the lack of sustained funding for biomedical alternative testing, as highlighted by the temporary closure of her lab, represents a critical national gap. This stalls the development of a necessary $30 billion industry and jeopardizes Canada’s standing as a leader in translational science.