This tiny lung-on-a-chip could predict—and fight—the next pandemic

Scientists at Kyoto University have developed a groundbreaking "lung-on-a-chip" that can mimic the distinct regions of human lungs—airways and alveoli—to study how viruses like COVID-19 affect them differently. Powered by isogenic induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), the system offers a high-fidelity way to model personalized immune responses and test drug effectiveness. This innovation opens the door to precision medicine, deeper understanding of emerging viruses, and even modeling of other organs in the future.