Scientists build human lung-on-a-chip for disease research

News Desk 

London: Scientists in the United Kingdom have developed a “human lung-on-a-chip” built entirely from the stem cells of a single individual, a breakthrough that could transform how respiratory diseases are studied and treated.

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute say the technology allows them to observe, in real time, how a specific person’s lung tissue responds to infections such as tuberculosis, opening the door to more personalized and precise medical treatments.

Led by Dr Max Gutierrez, the project uses organ-on-a-chip technology in which lung cells are grown on a thin membrane inside a micro-engineered device that simulates natural breathing motions. This environment enables scientists to closely examine the earliest interactions between immune cells and invading bacteria.

Unlike earlier lung models that combined cells from multiple donors, the new system uses genetically identical cells derived from one person. Researchers say this removes biological variability and makes it possible to study how an individual’s genetic makeup influences disease progression and treatment response.

In laboratory experiments, scientists observed the lung’s protective cellular barrier breaking down within five days of exposure to tuberculosis bacteria — a process that mirrors the early stages of infection seen in humans.

The researchers say the ability to test drugs and therapies on a miniature version of a patient’s own lung could help doctors select treatments that are more effective and less risky, while also reducing dependence on animal experiments.

The development comes as scientists worldwide push for alternatives to animal testing and seek to advance personalized medicine, an approach that tailors healthcare based on individual biological differences.

Researchers believe the lung-on-a-chip platform could eventually be adapted to study a range of respiratory conditions, including viral infections and chronic lung diseases, potentially accelerating drug development and improving patient outcomes.