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Saupe M, Wiedemeier S, Gastrock G, Römer R, Lemke K. Flexible Toolbox of High-Precision Microfluidic Modules for Versatile Droplet-Based Applications. MICROMACHINES 2024; 15:250. [PMID: 38398978 PMCID: PMC10891953 DOI: 10.3390/mi15020250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Although the enormous potential of droplet-based microfluidics has been successfully demonstrated in the past two decades for medical, pharmaceutical, and academic applications, its inherent potential has not been fully exploited until now. Nevertheless, the cultivation of biological cells and 3D cell structures like spheroids and organoids, located in serially arranged droplets in micro-channels, has a range of benefits compared to established cultivation techniques based on, e.g., microplates and microchips. To exploit the enormous potential of the droplet-based cell cultivation technique, a number of basic functions have to be fulfilled. In this paper, we describe microfluidic modules to realize the following basic functions with high precision: (i) droplet generation, (ii) mixing of cell suspensions and cell culture media in the droplets, (iii) droplet content detection, and (iv) active fluid injection into serially arranged droplets. The robustness of the functionality of the Two-Fluid Probe is further investigated regarding its droplet generation using different flow rates. Advantages and disadvantages in comparison to chip-based solutions are discussed. New chip-based modules like the gradient, the piezo valve-based conditioning, the analysis, and the microscopy module are characterized in detail and their high-precision functionalities are demonstrated. These microfluidic modules are micro-machined, and as the surfaces of their micro-channels are plasma-treated, we are able to perform cell cultivation experiments using any kind of cell culture media, but without needing to use surfactants. This is even more considerable when droplets are used to investigate cell cultures like stem cells or cancer cells as cell suspensions, as 3D cell structures, or as tissue fragments over days or even weeks for versatile applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Saupe
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V., 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany; (S.W.); (G.G.); (R.R.); (K.L.)
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Microreaction Technologies, Technical University of Ilmenau, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany
| | - Stefan Wiedemeier
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V., 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany; (S.W.); (G.G.); (R.R.); (K.L.)
| | - Gunter Gastrock
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V., 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany; (S.W.); (G.G.); (R.R.); (K.L.)
| | - Robert Römer
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V., 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany; (S.W.); (G.G.); (R.R.); (K.L.)
| | - Karen Lemke
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V., 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany; (S.W.); (G.G.); (R.R.); (K.L.)
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Park D, Kim H, Kim JW. Microfluidic production of monodisperse emulsions for cosmetics. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2021; 15:051302. [PMID: 34733378 PMCID: PMC8550801 DOI: 10.1063/5.0057733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Droplet-based microfluidic technology has enabled the production of emulsions with high monodispersity in sizes ranging from a few to hundreds of micrometers. Taking advantage of this technology, attempts to generate monodisperse emulsion drops with high drug loading capacity, ordered interfacial structure, and multi-functionality have been made in the cosmetics industry. In this article, we introduce the practicality of the droplet-based microfluidic approach to the cosmetic industry in terms of innovation in productivity and marketability. Furthermore, we summarize some recent advances in the production of emulsion drops with enhanced mechanical interfacial stability. Finally, we discuss the future prospects of microfluidic technology in accordance with consumers' needs and industrial attributes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daehwan Park
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Hajeong Kim
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Woong Kim
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
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Xu P, Jiang F, Zhang H, Yin R, Cen L, Zhang W. Calcium Carbonate/Gelatin Methacrylate Microspheres for 3D Cell Culture in Bone Tissue Engineering. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2020; 26:418-432. [DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2020.0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Pengwei Xu
- School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Fuliang Jiang
- School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongbo Zhang
- School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruixue Yin
- School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Lian Cen
- School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjun Zhang
- School of Mechatronics and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
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Jung SH, Hahn YK, Oh S, Kwon S, Um E, Choi S, Kang JH. Advection Flows-Enhanced Magnetic Separation for High-Throughput Bacteria Separation from Undiluted Whole Blood. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2018; 14:e1801731. [PMID: 30044534 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201801731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A major challenge to scale up a microfluidic magnetic separator for extracorporeal blood cleansing applications is to overcome low magnetic drag velocity caused by viscous blood components interfering with magnetophoresis. Therefore, there is an unmet need to develop an effective method to position magnetic particles to the area of augmented magnetic flux density gradients while retaining clinically applicable throughput. Here, a magnetophoretic cell separation device, integrated with slanted ridge-arrays in a microfluidic channel, is reported. The slanted ridges patterned in the microfluidic channels generate spiral flows along the microfluidic channel. The cells bound with magnetic particles follow trajectories of the spiral streamlines and are repeatedly transferred in a transverse direction toward the area adjacent to a ferromagnetic nickel structure, where they are exposed to a highly augmented magnetic force of 7.68 µN that is much greater than the force (0.35 pN) at the side of the channel furthest from the nickel structure. With this approach, 91.68% ± 2.18% of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bound with magnetic nanoparticles are successfully separated from undiluted whole blood at a flow rate of 0.6 mL h-1 in a single microfluidic channel, whereas only 23.98% ± 6.59% of E. coli are depleted in the conventional microfluidic device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Hyun Jung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), UNIST gil 50, Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Ki Hahn
- Department of New Biology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Sein Oh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Seyong Kwon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), UNIST gil 50, Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Eujin Um
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), UNIST gil 50, Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungyoung Choi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo H Kang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), UNIST gil 50, Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
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Wiedemeier S, Eichler M, Römer R, Grodrian A, Lemke K, Nagel K, Klages CP, Gastrock G. Parametric studies on droplet generation reproducibility for applications with biological relevant fluids. Eng Life Sci 2017; 17:1271-1280. [PMID: 29399017 PMCID: PMC5765517 DOI: 10.1002/elsc.201700086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Revised: 08/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the great potential of droplet based microfluidic technologies for routine applications in industry and academia has been successfully demonstrated over the past years, its inherent potential is not fully exploited till now. Especially regarding to the droplet generation reproducibility and stability, two pivotally important parameters for successful applications, there is still a need for improvement. This is even more considerable when droplets are created to investigate tissue fragments or cell cultures (e.g. suspended cells or 3D cell cultures) over days or even weeks. In this study we present microfluidic chips composed of a plasma coated polymer, which allow surfactants-free, highly reproducible and stable droplet generation from fluids like cell culture media. We demonstrate how different microfluidic designs and different flow rates (and flow rate ratios) affect the reproducibility of the droplet generation process and display the applicability for a wide variety of bio(techno)logically relevant media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Wiedemeier
- Bioprocess Engineering Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V. (iba) Heilbad Heiligenstadt Germany
| | - Marko Eichler
- Atmospheric Pressure Processes Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films (IST) Braunschweig Germany
| | - Robert Römer
- Bioprocess Engineering Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V. (iba) Heilbad Heiligenstadt Germany
| | - Andreas Grodrian
- Bioprocess Engineering Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V. (iba) Heilbad Heiligenstadt Germany
| | - Karen Lemke
- Bioprocess Engineering Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V. (iba) Heilbad Heiligenstadt Germany
| | - Krees Nagel
- Atmospheric Pressure Processes Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films (IST) Braunschweig Germany
| | - Claus-Peter Klages
- Atmospheric Pressure Processes Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films (IST) Braunschweig Germany
| | - Gunter Gastrock
- Bioprocess Engineering Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V. (iba) Heilbad Heiligenstadt Germany
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Lemke K, Förster T, Römer R, Quade M, Wiedemeier S, Grodrian A, Gastrock G. A modular segmented-flow platform for 3D cell cultivation. J Biotechnol 2015; 205:59-69. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2014.11.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2014] [Revised: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Gielen F, Buryska T, Vliet LV, Butz M, Damborsky J, Prokop Z, Hollfelder F. Interfacing Microwells with Nanoliter Compartments: A Sampler Generating High-Resolution Concentration Gradients for Quantitative Biochemical Analyses in Droplets. Anal Chem 2014; 87:624-32. [DOI: 10.1021/ac503336g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Fabrice Gielen
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Tomas Buryska
- International
Centre for Clinical Research, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Pekarska 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
- Loschmidt
Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and Research Centre
for Toxic Compounds in the Environment RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/A13, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Liisa Van Vliet
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Maren Butz
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Jiri Damborsky
- International
Centre for Clinical Research, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Pekarska 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
- Loschmidt
Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and Research Centre
for Toxic Compounds in the Environment RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/A13, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Prokop
- International
Centre for Clinical Research, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Pekarska 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
- Loschmidt
Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and Research Centre
for Toxic Compounds in the Environment RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/A13, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Florian Hollfelder
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
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Yoon JY, Kim B. Lab-on-a-chip pathogen sensors for food safety. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2012; 12:10713-41. [PMID: 23112625 PMCID: PMC3472853 DOI: 10.3390/s120810713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2012] [Revised: 06/28/2012] [Accepted: 07/04/2012] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
There have been a number of cases of foodborne illness among humans that are caused by pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella typhimurium, etc. The current practices to detect such pathogenic agents are cell culturing, immunoassays, or polymerase chain reactions (PCRs). These methods are essentially laboratory-based methods that are not at all real-time and thus unavailable for early-monitoring of such pathogens. They are also very difficult to implement in the field. Lab-on-a-chip biosensors, however, have a strong potential to be used in the field since they can be miniaturized and automated; they are also potentially fast and very sensitive. These lab-on-a-chip biosensors can detect pathogens in farms, packaging/processing facilities, delivery/distribution systems, and at the consumer level. There are still several issues to be resolved before applying these lab-on-a-chip sensors to field applications, including the pre-treatment of a sample, proper storage of reagents, full integration into a battery-powered system, and demonstration of very high sensitivity, which are addressed in this review article. Several different types of lab-on-a-chip biosensors, including immunoassay- and PCR-based, have been developed and tested for detecting foodborne pathogens. Their assay performance, including detection limit and assay time, are also summarized. Finally, the use of optical fibers or optical waveguide is discussed as a means to improve the portability and sensitivity of lab-on-a-chip pathogen sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong-Yeol Yoon
- Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
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Wiedemeier S, Ehrhart F, Mettler E, Gastrock G, Forst T, Weber MM, Zimmermann H, Metze J. Encapsulation of Langerhans' islets: Microtechnological developments for transplantation. Eng Life Sci 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/elsc.201000146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
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10
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Beckmann D. Technical systems for life sciences. Eng Life Sci 2009. [DOI: 10.1002/elsc.200990011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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