Microphysiological systems (MPSs) are cellular models that replicate aspects of organ and tissue functions in vitro. In contrast with conventional cell cultures, MPSs often provide physiological mechanical cues to cells, include fluid flow and can be interlinked (hence, they are often referred to as microfluidic tissue chips or organs-on-chips). Here, by means of examples of MPSs of the vascular system, intestine, brain and heart, we advocate for the development of standards that allow for comparisons of quantitative physiological features in MPSs and humans. Such standards should ensure that the in vivo relevance and predictive value of MPSs can be properly assessed as fit-for-purpose in specific applications, such as the assessment of drug toxicity, the identification of therapeutics or the understanding of human physiology or disease. Specifically, we distinguish designed features, which can be controlled via the design of the MPS, from emergent features, which describe cellular function, and propose methods for improving MPSs with readouts and sensors for the quantitative monitoring of complex physiology towards enabling wider end-user adoption and regulatory acceptance.

微生理系统（MPS）是在体外复制器官和组织功能的细胞模型。与传统的细胞培养物相比，MPS 通常为细胞提供生理机械信号，包括流体流动，并且可以相互连接（因此，它们通常被称为微流控组织芯片或器官芯片）。在这里，通过血管系统、肠道、大脑和心脏的 MPS 的例子，我们主张制定标准，以便对 MPS 和人类的定量生理特征进行比较。此类标准应确保 MPS 的体内相关性和预测价值能够得到正确评估，以适合特定应用，例如药物毒性评估、治疗方法的鉴定或对人类生理学或疾病的理解。具体来说，我们将设计的特征（可以通过 MPS 的设计进行控制）与描述细胞功能的新兴特征区分开来，并提出了通过读数和传感器来改进 MPS 的方法，以定量监测复杂的生理学，从而使更广泛的最终用户能够使用采用和监管接受。