Understanding epithelial and endothelial barrier function is central to biomedical research employing organ‑on‑chip (OoC) technology. Whether modeling epithelial tissue such as gut and lung, or mimicking vascular endothelium, barrier integrity serves as a key indicator of tissue health, maturation, and response to stimulation. Historically, researchers have relied on endpoint assays such as permeability measurements or the chopstick method covering only a small area of the tissue. However, these approaches often fall short when studying dynamic biological processes over time in vitro.

Dynamic42’s newly launched DynamicOrgan® TEER‑Sensor System addresses these limitations by enabling real‑time, continuous, non‑invasive monitoring of the whole barrier, directly inside the incubator. Below, we compare classical approaches with this next‑generation integrated TEER solution and illustrate the advantages it brings to organ‑on‑chip workflows.

Classical Barrier Integrity Measurements – Permeability Assays

Permeability assays (e.g., FITC‑dextran) are among the oldest and most widely used methods to evaluate barrier integrity in vitro.

• Quantifies how a fluorescent tracer crosses a cellular barrier
• Requires tissue sampling at fixed timepoints
• Rapidly evolving barrier changes such as during drug exposure or microbial challenge are easy to miss
• Sensitivity especially for healthy tissues is very low

TEER a more dynamic readout but historically difficult to implement

While TEER measurement offers a non‑destructive, quantitative barrier readout, conventional TEER tools, such as “chopstick electrodes”, introduce their own challenges:

• Manual electrode placement leads to movement‑induced signal noise.
• Measurements are performed outside the incubator, affecting temperature‑sensitive TEER values.
• Frequent handling can disturb cultures and reduce reproducibility.
• The electrode only covers a small part of the tissue layer. 3D tissues possess no homogenous layers making it difficult to see influences on the whole tissue

Classical Permeability vs. Classical TEER

Dynamic, real-time TEER measurements in organ-on-chip

Dynamic42’s DynamicOrgan® TEER‑Sensor System represents a plug‑and‑play, fully integrated TEER solution specifically engineered for organ‑on‑chip platforms. The system includes fixed, semi‑transparent gold electrodes positioned within the biochip, enabling highly stable TEER measurements of the whole tissue layer without disturbing the culture environment.

Key integrated features include:

• Real-time, and long-term TEER measurement – Existing methods are mostly endpoint based
• Measurement of the whole tissue layer – Existing methods only measure small area
• Compatibility with on-chip imaging – TEER electrodes are semi-transparent
• Neglectable noise from electrode motion + non-invasive measurement method – Our electrodes are fixed to the biochip in contrast to existing technologies
• Quick set up & easy handling also for inexperienced users – All you need to do is connect the biochip via a cable to the tighTEER T-31 readout unit
• TEER is measured directly inside the incubator and transmitted wirelessly to a computer – TEER measurements are temperature sensitive. Recording the values inside the incubator, without the need to open it, ensures robust and reproducible measurements between experiments and replicates.

Classical TEER vs. DynamicOrgan® TEER‑Sensor System

Why the way we measure barrier integrity is important for Organ‑on‑Chip models?

The DynamicOrgan® TEER‑Sensor System unlocks several experimental advantages:

✔ Real-time and long-term insights during dynamic events

Drug responses, microbial interactions, and immune‑mediated barrier disruptions occur on minute‑to‑hour timescales. This can only be captured with real-time TEER technology but is missed by endpoint assays.

✔ Increased reproducibility

Fixed electrodes and incubator‑integrated systems spanning the whole culture area, eliminate electrode motion, operator variation and temperature artifacts.

✔ Improved usability

Users new to organ-on-chip can obtain high‑quality TEER data without the learning curve of classical methods for determining of barrier integrity.

✔ Seamless integration with imaging workflows

Semi‑transparent electrodes enable correlation of TEER signals with morphological changes.

Conclusion

While classical permeability assays and traditional TEER measurements have laid the foundation for barrier research, they are inherently limited by endpoint readouts, operator variability, and workflow disruptions. Dynamic42’s DynamicOrgan® TEER‑Sensor System overcomes these constraints by offering continuous, non‑invasive, incubator‑integrated barrier monitoring, purpose‑built for next‑generation organ‑on‑chip models.

For researchers seeking reproducible, high‑resolution insights into barrier function —without compromising cell culture integrity — the DynamicOrgan® TEER‑Sensor System represents a major leap forward.

Would you like to learn more about the DynamicOrgan® TEER‑Sensor System? Watch this webinar:

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