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Lemke P, Moench S, Jäger PS, Oelschlaeger C, Rabe KS, Domínguez CM, Niemeyer CM. Micromechanical Indentation Platform for Rapid Analysis of Viscoelastic Biomolecular Hydrogels. SMALL METHODS 2024:e2400251. [PMID: 38607949 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202400251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
The advent of biomedical applications of soft bioinspired materials has entailed an increasing demand for streamlined and expedient characterization methods meant for both research and quality control objectives. Here, a novel measurement system for the characterization of biological hydrogels with volumes as low as 75 µL was developed. The system is based on an indentation platform equipped with micrometer drive actuators that allow the determination of both the fracture points and Young's moduli of relatively stiff polymers, including agarose, as well as the measurements of viscosity for exceptionally soft and viscous hydrogels, such as DNA hydrogels. The sensitivity of the method allows differentiation between DNA hydrogels produced by rolling circle amplification based on different template sequences and synthesis protocols. In addition, the polymerization kinetics of the hydrogels can be determined by time-resolved measurements, and the apparent viscosities of even more complex DNA-based nanocomposites can be measured. The platform presented here thus offers the possibility to characterize a broad variety of soft biomaterials in a targeted, fast, and cost-effective manner, holding promises for applications in fundamental materials science and ensuring reproducibility in the handling of complex materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Lemke
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Biological Interfaces (IBG 1), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Svenja Moench
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Biological Interfaces (IBG 1), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Paula S Jäger
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Biological Interfaces (IBG 1), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Claude Oelschlaeger
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Mechanical Process Engineering and Mechanics, Gotthard-Franz-Straße 3, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Kersten S Rabe
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Biological Interfaces (IBG 1), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Carmen M Domínguez
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Biological Interfaces (IBG 1), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Christof M Niemeyer
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Biological Interfaces (IBG 1), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
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Zoheir AE, Stolle C, Rabe KS. Microfluidics for adaptation of microorganisms to stress: design and application. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:162. [PMID: 38252163 PMCID: PMC10803453 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13011-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Microfluidic systems have fundamentally transformed the realm of adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) for microorganisms by offering unparalleled control over environmental conditions, thereby optimizing mutant generation and desired trait selection. This review summarizes the substantial influence of microfluidic technologies and their design paradigms on microbial adaptation, with a primary focus on leveraging spatial stressor concentration gradients to enhance microbial growth in challenging environments. Specifically, microfluidic platforms tailored for scaled-down ALE processes not only enable highly autonomous and precise setups but also incorporate novel functionalities. These capabilities encompass fostering the growth of biofilms alongside planktonic cells, refining selection gradient profiles, and simulating adaptation dynamics akin to natural habitats. The integration of these aspects enables shaping phenotypes under pressure, presenting an unprecedented avenue for developing robust, stress-resistant strains, a feat not easily attainable using conventional ALE setups. The versatility of these microfluidic systems is not limited to fundamental research but also offers promising applications in various areas of stress resistance. As microfluidic technologies continue to evolve and merge with cutting-edge methodologies, they possess the potential not only to redefine the landscape of microbial adaptation studies but also to expedite advancements in various biotechnological areas. KEY POINTS: • Microfluidics enable precise microbial adaptation in controlled gradients. • Microfluidic ALE offers insights into stress resistance and distinguishes between resistance and persistence. • Integration of adaptation-influencing factors in microfluidic setups facilitates efficient generation of stress-resistant strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed E Zoheir
- Department of Genetics and Cytology, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre (NRC), 33 El Buhouth St., Dokki, Cairo, 12622, Egypt
| | - Camilla Stolle
- Institute for Biological Interfaces 1 (IBG-1), Biomolecular Micro- and Nanostructures, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Kersten S Rabe
- Institute for Biological Interfaces 1 (IBG-1), Biomolecular Micro- and Nanostructures, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany.
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Zoheir A, Meisch L, Martín MV, Bickmann C, Kiselev A, Lenk F, Kaster AK, Rabe KS, Niemeyer CM. Macroporous Silicone Chips for Decoding Microbial Dark Matter in Environmental Microbiomes. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:49592-49603. [PMID: 36288792 PMCID: PMC9650684 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c15470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Natural evolution has produced an almost infinite variety of microorganisms that can colonize almost any conceivable habitat. Since the vast majority of these microbial consortia are still unknown, there is a great need to elucidate this "microbial dark matter" (MDM) to enable exploitation in biotechnology. We report the fabrication and application of a novel device that integrates a matrix of macroporous elastomeric silicone foam (MESIF) into an easily fabricated and scalable chip design that can be used for decoding MDM in environmental microbiomes. Technical validation, performed with the model organism Escherichia coli expressing a fluorescent protein, showed that this low-cost, bioinert, and widely modifiable chip is rapidly colonized by microorganisms. The biological potential of the chip was then illustrated through targeted sampling and enrichment of microbiomes in a variety of habitats ranging from wet, turbulent moving bed biofilters and wastewater treatment plants to dry air-based environments. Sequencing analyses consistently showed that MESIF chips are not only suitable for sampling with high robustness but also that the material can be used to detect a broad cross section of microorganisms present in the habitat in a short time span of a few days. For example, results from the biofilter habitat showed efficient enrichment of microorganisms belonging to the enigmatic Candidate Phyla Radiation, which comprise ∼70% of the MDM. From dry air, the MESIF chip was able to enrich a variety of members of Actinobacteriota, which is known to produce specific secondary metabolites. Targeted sampling from a wastewater treatment plant where the herbicide glyphosate was added to the chip's reservoir resulted in enrichment of Cyanobacteria and Desulfobacteria, previously associated with glyphosate degradation. These initial case studies suggest that this chip is very well suited for the systematic study of MDM and opens opportunities for the cultivation of previously unculturable microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed
E. Zoheir
- Institute
for Biological Interfaces 1 (IBG-1), Biomolecular Micro- and Nanostructures, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, D-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
- Biotechnology
Research Institute, Department of Genetics and Cytology, National Research Centre (NRC), 33 El Buhouth St., Dokki, 12622 Cairo, Egypt
| | - Laura Meisch
- Institute
for Biological Interfaces 1 (IBG-1), Biomolecular Micro- and Nanostructures, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, D-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Marta Velaz Martín
- Institute
for Biological Interfaces 1 (IBG-1), Biomolecular Micro- and Nanostructures, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, D-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Christoph Bickmann
- Institute
for Biological Interfaces 1 (IBG-1), Biomolecular Micro- and Nanostructures, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, D-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Alexei Kiselev
- Institute
of Meteorology and Climate Research, Department of Atmospheric Aerosol
Research (IMK-AAF), Karlsruhe Institute
of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, D-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Florian Lenk
- Institute
for Biological Interfaces 5 (IBG-5), Biotechnology and Microbial Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, D-76344 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Anne-Kristin Kaster
- Institute
for Biological Interfaces 5 (IBG-5), Biotechnology and Microbial Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, D-76344 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Kersten S. Rabe
- Institute
for Biological Interfaces 1 (IBG-1), Biomolecular Micro- and Nanostructures, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, D-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Christof M. Niemeyer
- Institute
for Biological Interfaces 1 (IBG-1), Biomolecular Micro- and Nanostructures, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, D-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
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Zhang Y, Cai Y, Zeng L, Liu P, Ma LZ, Liu J. A Microfluidic Approach for Quantitative Study of Spatial Heterogeneity in Bacterial Biofilms. SMALL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/smsc.202200047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhen Zhang
- Center for Infectious Disease Research School of Medicine Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences Beijing 100084 China
| | - Yumin Cai
- Center for Infectious Disease Research School of Medicine Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Lingbin Zeng
- Center for Infectious Disease Research School of Medicine Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering School of Medicine Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Luyan Z. Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources Institute of Microbiology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100101 China
| | - Jintao Liu
- Center for Infectious Disease Research School of Medicine Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences Beijing 100084 China
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Fanesi A, Martin T, Breton C, Bernard O, Briandet R, Lopes F. The architecture and metabolic traits of monospecific photosynthetic biofilms studied in a custom flow-through system. Biotechnol Bioeng 2022; 119:2459-2470. [PMID: 35643824 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Microalgae biofilms have great ecological importance and high biotechnological potential. Nevertheless, an in-depth and combined structural (i.e., the architecture of the biofilm) and physiological characterization of microalgae biofilms is still missing. An approach able to provide the same time physiological and structural information during biofilm growth would be of paramount importance to understand these complex biological systems and to optimize their productivity. In this study, monospecific biofilms of a diatom and a green alga were grown under dynamic conditions in custom flow cells represented by UV/Vis spectroscopic cuvettes. Such flow cells were conceived to characterize the biofilms by several techniques mostly in situ and in a nondestructive way. Physiological traits were obtained by measuring variable chlorophyll a fluorescence by pulse amplitude modulated fluorometry and by scanning the biofilms in a spectrometer to obtain in vivo pigments spectral signatures. The architectural features were obtained by imaging the biofilms with a confocal laser scanning microscopy and an optical coherence tomography. Overall, this experimental setup allowed us to follow the growth of two biofilm-forming microalgae showing that cell physiology is more affected in complex biofilms likely as a consequence of alterations in local environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Fanesi
- Laboratoire Génie des Procédés et Matériaux (LGPM), CentraleSupélec, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Thierry Martin
- Laboratoire Génie des Procédés et Matériaux (LGPM), CentraleSupélec, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Cyril Breton
- Laboratoire Génie des Procédés et Matériaux (LGPM), CentraleSupélec, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Olivier Bernard
- Biocore, INRIA, Université Côte d'Azur, Sophia Antipolis Cedex, France
| | - Romain Briandet
- Micalis Institute, AgroParisTech, INRAE, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Filipa Lopes
- Laboratoire Génie des Procédés et Matériaux (LGPM), CentraleSupélec, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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