The silicon chip replicates the functions of the human lung.
New medical advancements have been accomplished now that scientists have invented new silicon chips that can replace human organs. The project has won the Design of the Year 2015 contest which was organized by London Design Museum.
The invention was described as much more important than any other similar endeavors that have been carried out so far in the scientific field. More specifically, the lung chip has managed to dethrone Google’s self-driving car due to its functionality and the many benefits it can bring to medicine.
The silicon chips that can replace human organs have been manufactured by scientists at the Wyss Institute from the University of Harvard. Under the mysterious name, “Human-Body-on-Chips”, the project has led to the creation of the first silicon chip that presents the same physiological functions as the human lung.
Tests that were carried out during the Design of the Year 2015 competition clearly illustrated that the chip contracts and relaxes itself much in the same way our lungs do. The discovery has fueled scientists’ hopes and dreams in relation to the future accomplishments that medicine could register.
According to the research group, similar silicon chips might be used in the future as a viable replacement for animal testing. The microorganism might be programmed to have the same responses as human organs when placed under determined conditions. Thus, these chips may be used to tests the effects of certain medical or chemical substances on the human body.
In addition, the toxicity level of cosmetic products could be tested with the help of the “Human-Body-on-Chips” project. Scientists have been working for a long time to make this achievement as they did not appreciate the idea of humans or animals being subject to medical tests that might turn out noxious for them by the end of the medical research.
The organizer of the Design of the Year 2015, Deyan Sudjic told the press that they decided to handle the first prize to the Wyss Institute as their project is incredibly useful for humanity. He mostly appreciated the fact that the group of scientists has focused on the solution of a specific issue: namely, how the human body cells react to a chemical input.
The project was also awarded the first prize because it is a celebration of the importance of life.
Many other companies are expected to contribute to the development of similar scientific projects in the future now that the first step in this direction has already been made.
Image source: fastcompany.net
