ONLINE PHASE:

Monday: Welcome and introduction to the programme, Introduction of the students
The program opens with an overview of the workshop's objectives, focusing on the cutting-edge field of Organ-on-a-Chip (OoC) technology. During the online opening session, students will introduce their academic backgrounds and share their motivations for participating. This interactive segment allows participants to outline their specific expectations for the workshop and the skills they hope to acquire.
Tuesday: Fundamentals and Design Aspects of Organ-on-a-Chip Systems
This theoretical module provides a focused introduction to the core objectives and strategic importance of Organ-on-a-Chip (OoC) systems. We will begin by defining the primary goal of the field: creating highly functional, human-relevant models that bridge the gap between simple cell cultures and complex animal studies. The session will critically examine the key engineering and biological challenges involved, such as maintaining long-term cell viability, ensuring precise fluid control, and selecting biocompatible materials.
Wednesday: Theoretical Foundations of FEM and COMSOL Multiphysics for OoC
This session introduces the fundamentals of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and its application in modeling Organ-on-a-Chip systems. This module explores the simulation of fluid behavior, flow rates, and pressure drops, alongside the modeling of mass transport phenomena. Special emphasis is placed on analyzing diffusion and permeability across lipid barriers to predict drug distribution and cellular exposure.
Thursday: Biomedical Applications and Future Trends in OoC
This module explores the transformative applications of Organ-on-a-Chip technology in modern science and healthcare. We will examine how OoC platforms are revolutionizing drug discovery and toxicology, providing high-fidelity human models that can predict clinical outcomes more accurately than traditional animal testing. The session will also cover the development of advanced disease models and the emerging role of personalized medicine, where patient-derived cells are used to tailor specific treatments.
Friday: Readiness Review and Technical Checkpoint The final segment of the online phase serves as a readiness review and interactive Q&A session to ensure all participants are prepared for the upcoming hands-on week. Students will report on their progress regarding the theoretical curriculum, discussing any remaining questions and presenting the foundational research articles they have selected for their projects.

PROJECT WEEK:

Monday: Welcome and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
The program begins with a formal welcome and registration, followed by a comprehensive lab tour and a mandatory briefing on safety protocols. The core of the session provides an in-depth introduction to COMSOL Multiphysics specifically for microfluidic applications. A dedicated focus is placed on simulating complex multi-layer 'sandwich' architectures, enabling students to model the intricate environments required for stable biomembrane integration.
Tuesday: Time-Dependent CFD and Transport Phenomena in OoC Systems
This session advances into time-dependent modeling to simulate the dynamic environment of Organ-on-a-Chip devices. We will focus on the temporal analysis of flow behavior and the evolution of concentration gradients. The scope includes modeling complex mass transport processes—such as diffusion, permeability, and molecular flux—with a specific emphasis on characterizing how drugs or nutrients cross biological barriers over time.
Wednesday: OoC Assembly, Experimental Integration, and Release Validation
Students move from theory to practice by gaining hands-on experience in the assembly and operational handling of Organ-on-a-Chip devices. This session focuses on the practical integration of a model membrane (e.g., cellulose acetate) into the microfluidic architecture to simulate biological barriers. Participants will perform their first drug release study, validating the system's performance by collecting samples and quantifying transport kinetics using spectrophotometry.
Thursday: Advanced OoC Applications: Tissue Integration and Barrier Functionality
The workshop transitions to complex biological systems, where students gain hands-on experience in integrating ex vivo tissue samples (such as ocular, dermal, or intestinal tissues) into microfluidic platforms. This session covers specialized sample preparation techniques required to maintain tissue viability and integrity within a chip environment. Participants will conduct advanced diffusion tests to monitor the permeation of active compounds across these biological barriers.
Friday: Presentations and feedback
The program concludes with final project demonstrations, providing a platform for participants to showcase their developed prototypes and findings. This will be followed by a structured feedback session and a formal wrap-up, summarizing the achievements and key takeaways of the course.