Authors: Jong Hwan Sung Michael L Shuler
Publish Date: 2012/01/04
Volume: 40, Issue: 6, Pages: 1289-1300
Abstract
Microtechnology provides a new approach for reproducing the in vivo environment in vitro Mimicking the microenvironment of the natural tissues allows cultured cells to behave in a more authentic manner and gives researchers more realistic platforms to study biological systems In this review article we discuss the physiochemical aspects of in vivo cellular microenvironment and relevant technologies that can be used to mimic those aspects Secondly we identify the core methods used in microtechnology for biomedical applications Finally we examine the recent application areas of microtechnology with a focus on reproducing the functions of specific organs or wholebody response such as homeostasis or metabolismdependent toxicity of drugs These new technologies enable researchers to ask and answer questions in a manner that has not been possible with conventional macroscale technologiesThis work was supported by Army Corp of Engineers CERL W9132T07 Nanobiotechnology center NBTC National Research Foundation of Korea NRF Grant no 20110013862 Hongik University new faculty research support fund and 2011 Hongik University Research Fund
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