Advancements and Challenges in Organoid Technology: Applications in Disease Modeling, Drug Discovery, and Personalized Medicine

For centuries, there has been ongoing effort to regenerate living organs using tissues or their cells. Organoid technology involves the three-dimensional (3D) culture of various cell types, derived from tissue explants, tumors, stem cells, or other progenitor cells, which self-organize under controlled conditions to mimic the structure and function of real organs. Two-dimensional (2D) culture is the most exploited in vitro method providing advantages in terms of reproducibility, high throughput and cost- effectiveness. Even so, 2D culture generally fails to mimic a tissue or organ that possesses a defined 3D structure along with complicated intercellular communication. In fact, these cells are cultured in an environment similar to the body’s extracellular matrix. These organoids differentiate into functional cell types, acquiring the complexity of an organ’s anatomy and physiology. This innovative technology has revolutionized research and medicine, offering a powerful alternative to animal models in preclinical studies. Organoids have shown great promise in various therapeutic and research applications, although they are not without limitations. Despite these challenges, their potential and necessity in advancing biomedical research are undeniable. This review aims to explore both the applications and the challenges associated with organoid technology.