ABSTRACT
The etiology and pathology of various gastrointestinal (GI) diseases are often elusive because of the convoluted intercellular host-microbiome interactions that orchestrate homeostasis and the manifestation of GI diseases. To demonstrate these complex intercellular crosstalks and elucidate the underlying mechanisms of GI diseases, multiple in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo GI models have been developed. Technological advances in stable co-culture of the host-microbiome ecosystem, demonstration of patient-specific pathogenicity, and spatiotemporal modulation of physical dynamics are being further developed using these GI disease models. These advanced microphysiological GI systems have enabled researchers to accurately mimic the microenvironment of human intestine and intercellular crosstalks in vitro. In this chapter, we discuss current GI experimental models and their advantages, limitations, new technological standards, and applications toward clinical science and pharmaceutical industries.
