The technology of organ-on-a-chip tries to mimic the complexity of native tissues in vitro. Important progress has been made recently in using this technology to study the gut with and without microbiota. These in vitro models can serve as an alternative to animal models for studying physiology, pathology, and pharmacology. While these models have greater physiological relevance compared to two-dimensional (2D) cell systems in vitro, endocrine and immunological functions in gut-on-a-chip models are still poorly represented. Furthermore, the construction of complex models, in which different cell types and structures interact, remains a challenge. Generally, gut-on-chip models have the potential to advance our understanding of the basic interactions found within the gut and lay the foundation for future applications in understanding pathophysiology, developing drugs, and personalizing medical treatments.

器官芯片技术试图在体外模拟天然组织的复杂性。最近在使用这项技术研究有或没有微生物群的肠道方面取得了重要进展。这些体外模型可以作为研究生理学、病理学和药理学的动物模型的替代品。虽然这些模型与体外二维 (2D) 细胞系统相比具有更大的生理相关性，但肠道芯片模型中的内分泌和免疫功能仍然表现不佳。此外，构建不同细胞类型和结构相互作用的复杂模型仍然是一个挑战。一般来说，肠道芯片模型有可能促进我们对肠道内基本相互作用的理解，并为未来在理解病理生理学、开发药物和个性化医疗方面的应用奠定基础。