Sensor integration will take joint-on-chip technology to the next level

Joint-on-chip (JoC) technology recreates key features of human joint tissues within miniaturized microfluidic systems, including their structure, biophysical environment, and biological interactions. In contrast to traditional in vitro and in vivo models, JoC systems integrate multiple tissue types and physicochemical cues within a controlled in vitro environment. They are especially useful for studying diseases such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, which are among the most common degenerative musculoskeletal disorders yet without effective treatment.

Still, the technology can use improvements in terms of accuracy and real-time monitoring.

Mantegazza et al. focused on the next step in the development of JoC systems: integrating sensing technologies to better monitor and understand disease onset and progression.

“Currently, most platforms rely on endpoint analyses, meaning that measurements are taken only at the end of an experiment,” said author Paola Occhetta. “This limits insight into real-time disease progression and overlooks the dynamic processes that drive these conditions.”

The researchers emphasized the need for continuous, nondestructive monitoring using embedded sensors; different sensing approaches, including optical, electrical, mechanical, and biochemical methods; and integrated multi-sensor platforms.

“Understanding joint diseases requires following dynamic processes — how inflammation starts, how tissues respond to diverse stimuli, and how damage progresses,” said Occhetta. “Coupling JoC models with real-time, multi-modal sensing could significantly advance the study of joint diseases and support the development of more effective and personalized therapies.”

The implications of the study also reflect a broader shift in biomedical research — from static, simplified models toward systems that can capture how human biology behaves in real time.

Source: “Advances in sensor integration for real-time monitoring of joint-on-chips,” by A. Mantegazza, S. Materne, M. Rasponi, and P. Occhetta, Biophysics Reviews (2026). The article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0287852 .