MPS & Drug Discovery Glossary
Definitions of key terms in microphysiological systems, organ-on-chip technology, and drug safety testing.
ADME
Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion — the four pharmacokinetic processes that determine how a drug moves through the body. MPS liver models are widely used to study ADME properties in vitro.
ADMET
Extends ADME to include Toxicology — the assessment of a compound's safety profile alongside its pharmacokinetic properties.
ALI-Stack
Air-Liquid Interface Stack — a NANOSTACKS™ insert configured to create an air-liquid interface, suitable for lung epithelium and gut barrier models where one face of the tissue is exposed to air or gas.
Astrocyte
A glial cell type found in the brain that provides structural and metabolic support to neurons. Included in Revivocell's Brain MPS triculture model to better replicate the neuro-immune environment.
Brain MPS
Revivocell's microphysiological brain model, combining neurons, astrocytes, and microglia in a co-culture system. Compatible with MEA electrophysiology for functional neurotoxicity assessment.
Co-culture
The simultaneous culture of two or more cell types in the same system. MPS platforms are specifically designed to enable physiologically relevant co-cultures that mimic the multicellular environment of real tissues.
DILI
Drug-Induced Liver Injury — the most common cause of drug development failure and post-market drug withdrawal. Liver MPS models with multicellular co-cultures are significantly more sensitive to DILI compounds than traditional 2D hepatocyte cultures.
FDA Modernization Act 2.0
US legislation signed in 2022 that removed the mandatory requirement for animal testing before human clinical trials. It explicitly enables microphysiological systems and organ-on-chip data as valid alternative approaches for regulatory submissions.
Hepatocytes
The primary functional cells of the liver, responsible for metabolism, detoxification, bile production, and protein synthesis. The core cell type in all Revivocell Liver MPS configurations.
Hepatotoxicity
Liver toxicity — damage to the liver caused by chemicals, drugs, or other substances. One of the primary applications of Revivocell's Liver MPS platform.
iPSC
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell — adult cells reprogrammed back to a pluripotent state, capable of differentiating into many cell types. iPSC-derived hepatocytes, neurons, and cardiomyocytes can be used in NANOSTACKS™ models for patient-specific or disease-specific applications.
Kupffer Cell
Liver-resident macrophages (immune cells) that regulate immune responses and inflammation in the liver. Included in the Liver Triculture and Tetraculture MPS models to capture immune-mediated DILI mechanisms.
Liver MPS
Revivocell's liver microphysiological system, available in monoculture (hepatocytes only), triculture (+ endothelial cells + Kupffer cells), and tetraculture (+ stellate cells) configurations for ADME and hepatotoxicity studies.
MEA
Multielectrode Array — a device with an array of electrodes used to measure electrical activity from cells or tissues. Compatible with Revivocell's Brain MPS platform for recording neuronal network activity (local field potentials, spike trains).
Microglia
The brain's resident immune cells, responsible for neuroinflammation and synaptic pruning. Included in Brain MPS models to capture neuro-immune effects of drug candidates.
Microphysiological System (MPS)
An engineered in vitro tissue model that replicates key aspects of human organ biology, including multicellular architecture, physiological flow, and organ-specific functions. Used as a human-relevant alternative to animal models in drug discovery and toxicology.
Multi-Organ MPS
A system that cultures multiple organ models simultaneously and allows biochemical communication between them, enabling the study of systemic drug effects and organ-crosstalk toxicity. Revivocell offers liver–brain, liver–kidney, and custom axis configurations.
NAMs (New Approach Methodologies)
Regulatory term for modern, non-animal methods used in drug safety assessment, including MPS, organ-on-chip, computational modeling, and high-throughput in vitro assays. Increasingly accepted by the FDA and EMA.
NANOSTACKS™
Revivocell's proprietary modular microphysiological platform. Uses stackable inserts in SBS 24-well plate format to build physiologically relevant multi-layer organ models. No pumps, no specialist equipment required — compatible with any standard cell culture lab.
Neurotoxicity
Damage to the nervous system caused by exposure to toxic substances. Assessment of neurotoxicity in vitro using brain MPS and MEA-based functional readouts is a key application of Revivocell's Brain MPS platform.
Organ-on-a-Chip
A class of microdevice containing living cells arranged to replicate organ-level functions. Often used synonymously with MPS, though typically refers specifically to microfluidic chip-based devices. NANOSTACKS™ achieves similar physiological relevance without chip-based microfluidics.
Orbital Shaker
A laboratory device that moves samples in a circular orbital pattern. NANOSTACKS™ uses orbital shaking to generate physiological shear stress across cell layers, replacing the need for external pumps or microfluidic controllers.
SBS Format
Society for Biomolecular Sciences standard microplate format — the industry standard for 96-, 48-, and 24-well plates. NANOSTACKS™ inserts are designed to fit standard SBS 24-well plates, ensuring compatibility with existing lab equipment.
Shear Stress
A mechanical force applied to cells by fluid flow. Physiological shear stress is important for maintaining the function and morphology of endothelial and epithelial cells. NANOSTACKS™ generates shear stress via orbital shaking, eliminating the need for external pumps.
Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells (LSECs)
Specialized endothelial cells lining the liver's sinusoidal capillaries. Included in Liver Triculture and Tetraculture MPS models to replicate the liver's vascular environment and improve metabolic function.
Stellate Cell
Liver stellate cells (also called hepatic stellate cells or Ito cells) are key mediators of liver fibrosis. Included in the Liver Tetraculture MPS model, enabling the study of fibrosis-related toxicity and chronic drug exposure effects.
Triculture
A cell culture containing three distinct cell types. Revivocell's Liver Triculture MPS combines hepatocytes, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, and Kupffer cells for enhanced DILI sensitivity and immune-mediated toxicity assessment.
Tetraculture
A cell culture containing four distinct cell types. Revivocell's Liver Tetraculture MPS adds hepatic stellate cells to the triculture model, enabling fibrosis modeling and chronic toxicity studies.
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