Organoid research: new concepts and new technologies

Abstract

As three-dimensional biomimetic systems developed from stem cells or somatic cells, organoids have gradually evolved into important links between basic research and clinical application. Compared with traditional two-dimensional culture and animal models, organoids can better reflect the structure and function of tissues and organs in terms of physiological relevance and prediction efficiency. This review explores the integration of organoid technology with microfluidic technology, gene editing, and artificial intelligence, focusing on the prospects of these technologies for application in precision medicine, disease modelling, drug screening, and toxicology. In addition, the latest progress in organoid research, including organ-on-a-chip, organoid biobank construction, and related applications of regenerative medicine, is summarized. The development of key technologies is reviewed in detail. These technologies include improvements in culture systems, innovations in microfluidic and matrix materials, gene editing and modification, and imaging and multiomic analyses. These achievements improve the application value of organoids in disease modelling, drug screening, and toxicology. Despite challenges such as standardization, batch-to-batch consistency, and clinical translation, the integration of interdisciplinary technologies has provided a new impetus for the development of organoids. In the future, the combination of organoids with artificial intelligence, personalized medicine, and regenerative medicine is expected to drive research progress on disease mechanisms and precision treatment.