Develop a functional, synthetic biomembrane for the integration into a lung-on-a-chip (LoaC) platform

To better study diseases, scientists are turning to organ-on-a-chip models that allow them to create multiple bio-accurate disease models without needing animal or human subjects. FLC undergraduates Sally Thompson, Hunter Goggin, Natalia Lambos from the Jessing group at FLC have been working to create a lung-on-a-chip platform for this purpose. After years of development, the group successfully created methods to fabricate ultrathin (approximately 1 um) porous silicon membranes that mimics the interstitial space between alveolar and capillary cells in the lung. The group’s hard work was rewarded with receiving an oral presentation at MRS Spring 2026 in Honolulu where they were able to share their progress with experts in the field.