Table 1.

Comparison of organoids and microphysiological systems (MPS) on their definition, functions, and applications.

	Organoids	Microphysiological systems
Structure	3D in vitro, • Self-organized functional organotypic units	3D in vitro • Microfabricated cell culture device recapitulating organ functional units
Size	μm–mm	μm–mm
Easy-to-culture	Moderate • Timely activation of cell-fate specification signaling pathways	Easy–moderate • Explicit structuring patterning—e.g., bioprinting, bio lithography
Culture time	Moderate • Weeks	Short–moderate • Days to weeks
Co-culture ability	Yes	Yes • Limited cell types in device
Reproducibility	Moderate • Lack of understanding and guide of their differentiation	Yes • Appropriate culture conditions and microfabrication
High-throughput	Low	Moderate–low
Microenvironment	Absent • Oversimplified models in absent of flow, physical and chemical cues	Present • Complex models replicating organ functions, e.g., muscle contractions, blood flow
Vasculature and blood perfusion	Highly possible	Highly possible
In vivo-like function	Moderate • Recapitulating basic organ functions	High • Emulating complex organ functions
Genetic manipulation	Applicable • Inherited key genetic features from iPSCs	Applicable
Application to personalized medicine and drug screening	Yes	Yes