Ex vivo functional whole organ in biomedical research: a review

Model systems are critical in biomedical and preclinical research. Animal and in vitro models serve an important role in our current understanding of human physiology, disease pathophysiology, and therapy development. However, if the system is between cell culture and animal models, it may be able to overcome the knowledge gap that exists in the current system. Studies employing ex vivo organs as models have not been thoroughly investigated. Though the integration of other organs and systems has an impact on many biological mechanisms and disorders, it can add a new dimension to modeling and aid in the identification of new possible therapeutic targets. Here, we have discussed why the ex vivo organ model is desirable and the importance of the inclusion of organs from diverse species, described its historical aspects, studied organs as models in scientific research, and its ex vivo stability. We also discussed, how an ex vivo organ model might help researchers better understand organ physiology, as well as organ-specific diseases and therapeutic targets. We emphasized how this ex vivo organ dynamics will be more competent than existing models, as well as what tissues or organs would have potentially viable longevity for ex vivo modeling including human tissues, organs, and/or at least biopsies and its possible advantage in clinical medicine including organ transplantation procedure and precision medicine.