Towards compact, multimodal spectroscopic devices for the read-out of microfluidic organs-on-chip

The attribution rate issue of new drugs is a 285M€ problem. Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is the leading reason for drug withdrawal. To improve the prediction of DILI an early hepatoxicity screening during the preclinical phase of drug development is needed. To overcome the limitations utilizing animal models, researchers are developing ‘organs-on-chips’. Recent improvements on the structural aspects of these chips pave the way towards a large-scale application. As such soon the number of read-out instruments that are in operation in parallel will need to drastically increase. Unfortunately, standard read-out equipment is bulky, complex and expensive. Therefore, our
research activities will concentrate on the introduction of a new paradigm topic to develop compact multimodal (spectroscopic) imaging units; namely polymer-based freeform optics. Although we apply a generic approach, the specific outputs within this proposal are units for DILI screening which record fluorescence as well as Raman signals. The simplified read-out devices can drastically reduce drug attribution costs since a 10% improved screening corresponds to a saving of 120M€. In addition, the concept can be transferred to other applications with a potential impact on improving diagnostic and therapy options in the framework of a personalized healthcare. Finally, it can strengthen Europe’ s position regarding the intention to be a role model for the replacement of animal models in toxicity studies.