Prof. Atala is working on the development of organ transplants. For this patient's own cells are sown onto a biocompatible scaffold that dissolves over time, leaving only the patient's own tissue in the body at the end. Curently he is leading clinical studies with cultured human kidney cells.
But the scientist is also working on the development of mini organs - called organoids - on the chip. In an interview, he reported amongst others, that togehter with his team he is already capable to breed 12 different tissue types on the chip with his team. The vision of a human-on-a-chip with all the major organs for toxicity and drug testing comes closer step-by-step.
The interview was conducted by the Newspaper Cooperation Leading European Newspaper Alliance (LENA) and can be read here (in German): http://www.welt.de/