Researchers at the University of California, San Diego have created silicon chips that support fully functioning liver cells.

“We’re exploring a new generation of devices in which we can maintain cells by controlling the architecture, temperature and chemical environment, and in which we can use sensors located on the same chip to monitor the health of cells,” says Sangeeta N. Bhatia, a physician and an assistant professor of bioengineering at UCSD.

The chips may also help in the development of future artificial liver devices and allow for testing the toxicity of experimental therapeutic drugs.