In 1537, the Swiss German scientist Paracelsus conceived a method for creating a miniature person who "will look somewhat like a man, but transparent, without a body". However, his protocol for generating what he dubbed a homuncu-lus was an unsavoury blend of alchemy and inter-species breeding. Now scientists are having another attempt at the homunculus concept - but this time they are using advanced biomaterials, engineering techniques and physiological insights to coax cells to grow into simplified, but functional, miniature versions of hearts, lungs and other human organs. Set on microchip-like devices, several of these organs can be connected by artificial circulatory systems to yield 'human-on-a-chip' devices that usually measure no more than a few centimetres in length.
展开▼
