Mini Female Reproductive System on a Chip

Scientists create an organ-on-a-chip system that can simulate the human menstrual cycle.

Written byDiana Kwon

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EVATARCOURTESY OF NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE

The latest feat in organ-on-a-chip technology is a model female reproductive system that can mimic the human menstrual cycle. Researchers described this new system, named EVATAR, yesterday (March 28) in Nature Communications.

EVATAR is a chip around the size of a human hand that contains five mini-organs: a uterus, vagina, liver, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. All the tissues come from humans, except the ovaries, which are taken from mice (since they are rarely removed from people). Each organ sits in its own compartment, which is linked to the others through minuscule tubes that carry blood-like liquid and hormones. To mimic the 28-day menstrual cycle on the chip, the team first added follicle stimulating hormone, then luteinizing hormone 14 days later. This successfully stimulated the ovaries ...

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Meet the Author

Diana Kwon
Diana is a freelance science journalist who covers the life sciences, health, and academic life. She’s a regular contributor to The Scientist and her work has appeared in several other publications, including Scientific American, Knowable, and Quanta. Diana was a former intern at The Scientist and she holds a master’s degree in neuroscience from McGill University. She’s currently based in Berlin, Germany.
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