1
|
Takinoue M. DNA droplets for intelligent and dynamical artificial cells: from the viewpoint of computation and non-equilibrium systems. Interface Focus 2023; 13:20230021. [PMID: 37577000 PMCID: PMC10415743 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2023.0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Living systems are molecular assemblies whose dynamics are maintained by non-equilibrium chemical reactions. To date, artificial cells have been studied from such physical and chemical viewpoints. This review briefly gives a perspective on using DNA droplets in constructing artificial cells. A DNA droplet is a coacervate composed of DNA nanostructures, a novel category of synthetic DNA self-assembled systems. The DNA droplets have programmability in physical properties based on DNA base sequence design. The aspect of DNA as an information molecule allows physical and chemical control of nanostructure formation, molecular assembly and molecular reactions through the design of DNA base pairing. As a result, the construction of artificial cells equipped with non-equilibrium behaviours such as dynamical motions, phase separations, molecular sensing and computation using chemical energy is becoming possible. This review mainly focuses on such dynamical DNA droplets for artificial cell research in terms of computation and non-equilibrium chemical reactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Takinoue
- Department of Computer Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8502, Japan
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8502, Japan
- Living Systems Materialogy (LiSM) Research Group, International Research Frontiers Initiative (IRFI), Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259, Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Crowe CD, Keating CD. Microfluidic Control of Coexisting Chemical Microenvironments within Multiphase Water-in-Fluorocarbon Droplets. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:1811-1820. [PMID: 35090115 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c02929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The use of aqueous polymer-based phase separation within water-in-oil emulsion droplets provides a powerful platform for exploring the impact of compartmentalization and preferential partitioning on biologically relevant solutes. By forming an emulsion, a bulk solution is converted into a large number of chemically isolated microscale droplets. Microfluidic techniques provide an additional level of control over the formation of such systems. This enables the selective production of multiphase droplets with desired solution compositions and specific characteristics, such as solute partitioning. Here, we demonstrate control over the chemical microenvironment by adjusting the composition to increase tie line length for poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-dextran aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) encapsulated within multiphase water-in-fluorocarbon oil emulsion droplets. Through rational adjustment of microfluidic parameters alone, ATPS droplets containing differing compositions could be produced during the course of a single experiment, with the produced droplets demonstrating a controllable range of tie line lengths. This provided control over partitioning behavior for biologically relevant macromolecules such that the difference in local protein concentration between adjacent phases could be rationally tuned. This work illustrates a broadly applicable technique to rationally create emulsified multiphase aqueous systems of desired compositions through the adjustment of microfluidic parameters alone, allowing for easy and rapid screening of various chemical microenvironments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charles D Crowe
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Christine D Keating
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Masukawa MK, Okuda Y, Takinoue M. Aqueous Triple-Phase System in Microwell Array for Generating Uniform-Sized DNA Hydrogel Particles. Front Genet 2021; 12:705022. [PMID: 34367260 PMCID: PMC8343185 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.705022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA hydrogels are notable for their biocompatibility and ability to incorporate DNA information and computing properties into self-assembled micrometric structures. These hydrogels are assembled by the thermal gelation of DNA motifs, a process which requires a high salt concentration and yields polydisperse hydrogel particles, thereby limiting their application and physicochemical characterization. In this study, we demonstrate that single, uniform DNA hydrogel particles can form inside aqueous/aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) assembled in a microwell array. In this process, uniform dextran droplets are formed in a microwell array inside a microfluidic device. The dextran droplets, which contain DNA motifs, are isolated from each other by an immiscible PEG solution containing magnesium ions and spermine, which enables the DNA hydrogel to undergo gelation. Upon thermal annealing of the device, we observed the formation of an aqueous triple-phase system in which uniform DNA hydrogel particles (the innermost aqueous phase) resided at the interface of the aqueous two-phase system of dextran and PEG. We expect ATPS microdroplet arrays to be used to manufacture other hydrogel microparticles and DNA/dextran/PEG aqueous triple-phase systems to serve as a highly parallel model for artificial cells and membraneless organelles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Masahiro Takinoue
- Department of Computer Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Einfalt T, Garni M, Witzigmann D, Sieber S, Baltisberger N, Huwyler J, Meier W, Palivan CG. Bioinspired Molecular Factories with Architecture and In Vivo Functionalities as Cell Mimics. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:1901923. [PMID: 32099756 PMCID: PMC7029636 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201901923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Despite huge need in the medical domain and significant development efforts, artificial cells to date have limited composition and functionality. Although some artificial cells have proven successful for producing therapeutics or performing in vitro specific reactions, they have not been investigated in vivo to determine whether they preserve their architecture and functionality while avoiding toxicity. Here, these limitations are overcome and customizable cell mimic is achieved-molecular factories (MFs)-by supplementing giant plasma membrane vesicles derived from donor cells with nanometer-sized artificial organelles (AOs). MFs inherit the donor cell's natural cytoplasm and membrane, while the AOs house reactive components and provide cell-like architecture and functionality. It is demonstrated that reactions inside AOs take place in a close-to-nature environment due to the unprecedented level of complexity in the composition of the MFs. It is further demonstrated that in a zebrafish vertebrate animal model, these cell mimics show no apparent toxicity and retain their integrity and function. The unique advantages of highly varied composition, multicompartmentalized architecture, and preserved functionality in vivo open new biological avenues ranging from the study of biorelevant processes in robust cell-like environments to the production of specific bioactive compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomaž Einfalt
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1096, P.O. Box 3350CH‐4002BaselSwitzerland
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesDivision of Pharmaceutical TechnologyUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 50CH‐4056BaselSwitzerland
| | - Martina Garni
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1096, P.O. Box 3350CH‐4002BaselSwitzerland
| | - Dominik Witzigmann
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesDivision of Pharmaceutical TechnologyUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 50CH‐4056BaselSwitzerland
| | - Sandro Sieber
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesDivision of Pharmaceutical TechnologyUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 50CH‐4056BaselSwitzerland
| | - Niklaus Baltisberger
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1096, P.O. Box 3350CH‐4002BaselSwitzerland
| | - Jörg Huwyler
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesDivision of Pharmaceutical TechnologyUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 50CH‐4056BaselSwitzerland
| | - Wolfgang Meier
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1096, P.O. Box 3350CH‐4002BaselSwitzerland
| | - Cornelia G. Palivan
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1096, P.O. Box 3350CH‐4002BaselSwitzerland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Saateh A, Kalantarifard A, Celik OT, Asghari M, Serhatlioglu M, Elbuken C. Real-time impedimetric droplet measurement (iDM). LAB ON A CHIP 2019; 19:3815-3824. [PMID: 31638132 DOI: 10.1039/c9lc00641a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Droplet-based microfluidic systems require a precise control of droplet physical properties; hence, measuring the morphological properties of droplets is critical to obtain high sensitivity analysis. The ability to perform such measurements in real-time is another demand which has not been addressed yet. In this study, we used coplanar electrodes configured in the differential measurement mode for impedimetric measurement of size and velocity. To obtain the size of the droplets, detailed 3D finite element simulations of the system were performed. The interaction of the non-uniform electric field and the droplet was investigated. Electrode geometry optimization steps were described and design guideline rules were laid out. User-friendly software was developed for real-time observation of droplet length and velocity together with in situ statistical analysis results. A comparison between impedimetric and optical measurement tools is given. Finally, to illustrate the benefit of having real-time analysis, iDM was used to synthesize particles with a predefined monodispersity limit and to study the response times of syringe pump and pressure pump driven droplet generation devices. This analysis allows one to evaluate the 'warm-up' time for a droplet generator system, after which droplets reach the desired steady-state size required by the application of interest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abtin Saateh
- Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, National Nanotechnology Research Center (UNAM), Bilkent University, Ankara 06800, Turkey.
| | - Ali Kalantarifard
- Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, National Nanotechnology Research Center (UNAM), Bilkent University, Ankara 06800, Turkey.
| | - Oguz Tolga Celik
- Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, National Nanotechnology Research Center (UNAM), Bilkent University, Ankara 06800, Turkey.
| | - Mohammad Asghari
- Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, National Nanotechnology Research Center (UNAM), Bilkent University, Ankara 06800, Turkey.
| | - Murat Serhatlioglu
- Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, National Nanotechnology Research Center (UNAM), Bilkent University, Ankara 06800, Turkey.
| | - Caglar Elbuken
- Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, National Nanotechnology Research Center (UNAM), Bilkent University, Ankara 06800, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pemathilaka RL, Reynolds DE, Hashemi NN. Drug transport across the human placenta: review of placenta-on-a-chip and previous approaches. Interface Focus 2019; 9:20190031. [PMID: 31485316 PMCID: PMC6710654 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2019.0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past few decades, the placenta became a very controversial topic that has had many researchers and pharmacists discussing the significance of the effects of pharmaceutical drug intake and how it is a possible leading cause towards birth defects. The creation of an in vitro microengineered model of the placenta can be used to replicate the interactions between the mother and fetus, specifically pharmaceutical drug intake reactions. As the field of nanotechnology significantly continues growing, nanotechnology will become more apparent in the study of medicine and other scientific disciplines, specifically microengineering applications. This review is based on past and current research that compares the feasibility and testing of the placenta-on-a-chip microengineered model to the previous and underdeveloped in vivo and ex vivo approaches. The testing of the practicality and effectiveness of the in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo models requires the experimentation of prominent pharmaceutical drugs that most mothers consume during pregnancy. In this case, these drugs need to be studied and tested more often. However, there are challenges associated with the in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo processes when developing a practical placental model, which are discussed in further detail.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - David E. Reynolds
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Nicole N. Hashemi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ishikawa D, Suzuki Y, Kurokawa C, Ohara M, Tsuchiya M, Morita M, Yanagisawa M, Endo M, Kawano R, Takinoue M. DNA Origami Nanoplate‐Based Emulsion with Nanopore Function. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201908392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Ishikawa
- Department of Computer Science Tokyo Institute of Technology 4259 Nagatsuta-cho Midori-ku, Yokohama Kanagawa 226-8502 Japan
| | - Yuki Suzuki
- Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences Tohoku University 6-3 Aramaki aza Aoba, Aoba-ku Sendai 980-8578 Japan
| | - Chikako Kurokawa
- Department of Applied Physics Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology 2-24-6 Naka-cho, Koganei Tokyo 184-8588 Japan
| | - Masayuki Ohara
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology 2-24-6 Naka-cho, Koganei Tokyo 184-8588 Japan
| | - Misato Tsuchiya
- Department of Computer Science Tokyo Institute of Technology 4259 Nagatsuta-cho Midori-ku, Yokohama Kanagawa 226-8502 Japan
| | - Masamune Morita
- Department of Computer Science Tokyo Institute of Technology 4259 Nagatsuta-cho Midori-ku, Yokohama Kanagawa 226-8502 Japan
| | - Miho Yanagisawa
- Department of Applied Physics Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology 2-24-6 Naka-cho, Koganei Tokyo 184-8588 Japan
- Komaba Institute for Science Graduate School of Arts and Sciences The University of Tokyo 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro Tokyo 153-8902 Japan
| | - Masayuki Endo
- Department of Chemistry Graduate School of Science Kyoto University Yoshida-ushinomiyacho, Sakyo-ku Kyoto 606-8501 Japan
| | - Ryuji Kawano
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology 2-24-6 Naka-cho, Koganei Tokyo 184-8588 Japan
| | - Masahiro Takinoue
- Department of Computer Science Tokyo Institute of Technology 4259 Nagatsuta-cho Midori-ku, Yokohama Kanagawa 226-8502 Japan
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ishikawa D, Suzuki Y, Kurokawa C, Ohara M, Tsuchiya M, Morita M, Yanagisawa M, Endo M, Kawano R, Takinoue M. DNA Origami Nanoplate-Based Emulsion with Nanopore Function. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:15299-15303. [PMID: 31411794 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201908392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Bio-inspired functional microcapsules have attracted increasing attention in many fields from physical/chemical science to artificial-cell engineering. Although particle-stabilised microcapsules are advantageous for their stability and functionalisation potential, versatile methods for their functionalisation are desired to expand their possibilities. This study reports a water-in-oil microdroplet stabilised with amphiphilic DNA origami nanoplates. By utilising DNA nanotechnology, DNA nanoplates were designed as a nanopore device for ion transportation and to stabilise the oil-water interface. Microscopic examination revealed the microcapsule formed by the accumulation of amphiphilic DNA nanoplates at the oil-water interface. Ion current measurements revealed the nanoplate pores functioned as channel to transport ions. These findings provide a general strategy for the programmable design of microcapsules to engineer artificial cells and molecular robots.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Ishikawa
- Department of Computer Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8502, Japan
| | - Yuki Suzuki
- Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aramaki aza Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8578, Japan
| | - Chikako Kurokawa
- Department of Applied Physics, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-6 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo, 184-8588, Japan
| | - Masayuki Ohara
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-6 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo, 184-8588, Japan
| | - Misato Tsuchiya
- Department of Computer Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8502, Japan
| | - Masamune Morita
- Department of Computer Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8502, Japan
| | - Miho Yanagisawa
- Department of Applied Physics, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-6 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo, 184-8588, Japan.,Komaba Institute for Science, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan
| | - Masayuki Endo
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Yoshida-ushinomiyacho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Ryuji Kawano
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-6 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo, 184-8588, Japan
| | - Masahiro Takinoue
- Department of Computer Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8502, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Aufinger L, Simmel FC. Establishing Communication Between Artificial Cells. Chemistry 2019; 25:12659-12670. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201901726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Aufinger
- Physics Department and ZNNTechnische Universität München Am Coulombwall 4a 85748 Garching Germany
| | - Friedrich C. Simmel
- Physics Department and ZNNTechnische Universität München Am Coulombwall 4a 85748 Garching Germany
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Supramaniam P, Ces O, Salehi-Reyhani A. Microfluidics for Artificial Life: Techniques for Bottom-Up Synthetic Biology. MICROMACHINES 2019; 10:E299. [PMID: 31052344 PMCID: PMC6562628 DOI: 10.3390/mi10050299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology is a rapidly growing multidisciplinary branch of science that exploits the advancement of molecular and cellular biology. Conventional modification of pre-existing cells is referred to as the top-down approach. Bottom-up synthetic biology is an emerging complementary branch that seeks to construct artificial cells from natural or synthetic components. One of the aims in bottom-up synthetic biology is to construct or mimic the complex pathways present in living cells. The recent, and rapidly growing, application of microfluidics in the field is driven by the central tenet of the bottom-up approach-the pursuit of controllably generating artificial cells with precisely defined parameters, in terms of molecular and geometrical composition. In this review we survey conventional methods of artificial cell synthesis and their limitations. We proceed to show how microfluidic approaches have been pivotal in overcoming these limitations and ushering in a new generation of complexity that may be imbued in artificial cells and the milieu of applications that result.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pashiini Supramaniam
- Department of Chemistry, White City Campus, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | - Oscar Ces
- Department of Chemistry, White City Campus, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
- FabriCELL, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | - Ali Salehi-Reyhani
- FabriCELL, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
- Department of Chemistry, King's College London, Britannia House, London SE1 1DB, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Sato Y, Takinoue M. Creation of Artificial Cell-Like Structures Promoted by Microfluidics Technologies. MICROMACHINES 2019; 10:E216. [PMID: 30934758 PMCID: PMC6523379 DOI: 10.3390/mi10040216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The creation of artificial cells is an immensely challenging task in science. Artificial cells contribute to revealing the mechanisms of biological systems and deepening our understanding of them. The progress of versatile biological research fields has clarified many biological phenomena, and various artificial cell models have been proposed in these fields. Microfluidics provides useful technologies for the study of artificial cells because it allows the fabrication of cell-like compartments, including water-in-oil emulsions and giant unilamellar vesicles. Furthermore, microfluidics also allows the mimicry of cellular functions with chip devices based on sophisticated chamber design. In this review, we describe contributions of microfluidics to the study of artificial cells. Although typical microfluidic methods are useful for the creation of artificial-cell compartments, recent methods provide further benefits, including low-cost fabrication and a reduction of the sample volume. Microfluidics also allows us to create multi-compartments, compartments with artificial organelles, and on-chip artificial cells. We discuss these topics and the future perspective of microfluidics for the study of artificial cells and molecular robotics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Sato
- Department of Computer Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kanagawa 226-8502, Japan
| | - Masahiro Takinoue
- Department of Computer Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kanagawa 226-8502, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Lu Y, de Vries WC, Overeem NJ, Duan X, Zhang H, Zhang H, Pang W, Ravoo BJ, Huskens J. Controlled and Tunable Loading and Release of Vesicles by Using Gigahertz Acoustics. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201810181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yao Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & Instruments; Tianjin University; Tianjin 300072 China
- Molecular Nanofabrication group; MESA Institute for Nanotechnology; University of Twente; 7500 AE Enschede The Netherlands
| | - Wilke C. de Vries
- Organic Chemistry Institute and Center for Soft Nanoscience (SoN); Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster; Correnstr. 40 48149 Münster Germany
| | - Nico J. Overeem
- Molecular Nanofabrication group; MESA Institute for Nanotechnology; University of Twente; 7500 AE Enschede The Netherlands
| | - Xuexin Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & Instruments; Tianjin University; Tianjin 300072 China
| | - Hongxiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & Instruments; Tianjin University; Tianjin 300072 China
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & Instruments; Tianjin University; Tianjin 300072 China
| | - Wei Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & Instruments; Tianjin University; Tianjin 300072 China
| | - Bart Jan Ravoo
- Organic Chemistry Institute and Center for Soft Nanoscience (SoN); Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster; Correnstr. 40 48149 Münster Germany
| | - Jurriaan Huskens
- Molecular Nanofabrication group; MESA Institute for Nanotechnology; University of Twente; 7500 AE Enschede The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Lu Y, de Vries WC, Overeem NJ, Duan X, Zhang H, Zhang H, Pang W, Ravoo BJ, Huskens J. Controlled and Tunable Loading and Release of Vesicles by Using Gigahertz Acoustics. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018; 58:159-163. [PMID: 30417518 PMCID: PMC6391938 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201810181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Controllable exchange of molecules between the interior and the external environment of vesicles is critical in drug delivery and micro/nano‐reactors. While many approaches exist to trigger release from vesicles, controlled loading remains a challenge. Herein, we show that gigahertz acoustic streaming generated by a nanoelectromechanical resonator can control the loading and release of cargo into and from vesicles. Polymer‐shelled vesicles showed loading and release of molecules both in solution and on a solid substrate. We observed deformation of individual giant unilamellar vesicles and propose that the shear stress generated by gigahertz acoustic streaming induces the formation of transient nanopores, with diameters on the order of 100 nm, in the vesicle membranes. This provides a non‐invasive method to control material exchange across membranes of different types of vesicles, which could allow site‐specific release of therapeutics and controlled loading into cells, as well as tunable microreactors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yao Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.,Molecular Nanofabrication group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Wilke C de Vries
- Organic Chemistry Institute and Center for Soft Nanoscience (SoN), Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Correnstr. 40, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Nico J Overeem
- Molecular Nanofabrication group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Xuexin Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Hongxiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Wei Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Bart Jan Ravoo
- Organic Chemistry Institute and Center for Soft Nanoscience (SoN), Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Correnstr. 40, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Jurriaan Huskens
- Molecular Nanofabrication group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Lee S. Good to the Last Drop: Interfacial Droplet Chemistry, from Crystals to Biological Membranes. Acc Chem Res 2018; 51:2524-2534. [PMID: 30247878 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.8b00277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The study of the liquid-liquid interface has a long and storied history yet still holds important implications for science and technology. Although deep examination of this buried interface poses challenges, recent progress in experimental and theoretical methodology has allowed for advanced understanding of the molecular bases of such interfaces. This Account will focus on the behavior of surfaces of aqueous microdroplets immersed in an immiscible phase, exhibiting physicochemical behavior dependent on the presence of interfacial self-assembled structures. Amphiphiles spontaneously form self-assembled nanostructures at the liquid interface, creating a soft liquid surface for the aqueous microdroplet that can modulate its behavior. A prominent characteristic of a micron-sized droplet is its elevated surface area/volume ratio, a feature that presents opportunities for investigating the role of the interface in aspects of droplet chemistry. In two notable examples, a surfactant self-assembly can act as a template for crystal nucleation of droplet solutes at the monolayer level, while at the level of a bilayer, formed when two monolayer-covered droplets are made to adhere, the apposition of monolayers bears remarkable similarities to cell membranes. Each type of system provides arbitrary control of important factors, both for studying crystallization nucleation and for modeling semipermeable lipid membranes at an interdroplet contact zone, the droplet interface bilayer (DIB). The droplet bilayer allows for direct observation of species transport across an unsupported bilayer and versatile parameter control to expore the effects of membrane lipid structure on bilayer transport. It is demonstrated that molecular shape for monoglycerides and phospholipids influences the surface characteristics of monolayers and bilayers. Additionally, subtle interfacial interactions between aqueous contents (ions, solutes) and the monolayer/bilayer are shown to have a marked influence on lipid packing and permeability. It is anticipated that this successful demonstration of surface engineering at the micron scale will deliver cogent insights into many biologically relevant phenomena, such as membrane transport and biomineralization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sunghee Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Iona College, New Rochelle, New York 10801, United States
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Construction of membrane-bound artificial cells using microfluidics: a new frontier in bottom-up synthetic biology. Biochem Soc Trans 2017; 44:723-30. [PMID: 27284034 PMCID: PMC4900754 DOI: 10.1042/bst20160052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The quest to construct artificial cells from the bottom-up using simple building blocks has received much attention over recent decades and is one of the grand challenges in synthetic biology. Cell mimics that are encapsulated by lipid membranes are a particularly powerful class of artificial cells due to their biocompatibility and the ability to reconstitute biological machinery within them. One of the key obstacles in the field centres on the following: how can membrane-based artificial cells be generated in a controlled way and in high-throughput? In particular, how can they be constructed to have precisely defined parameters including size, biomolecular composition and spatial organization? Microfluidic generation strategies have proved instrumental in addressing these questions. This article will outline some of the major principles underpinning membrane-based artificial cells and their construction using microfluidics, and will detail some recent landmarks that have been achieved.
Collapse
|
16
|
Salehi-Reyhani A, Ces O, Elani Y. Artificial cell mimics as simplified models for the study of cell biology. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2017; 242:1309-1317. [PMID: 28580796 PMCID: PMC5528198 DOI: 10.1177/1535370217711441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Living cells are hugely complex chemical systems composed of a milieu of distinct chemical species (including DNA, proteins, lipids, and metabolites) interconnected with one another through a vast web of interactions: this complexity renders the study of cell biology in a quantitative and systematic manner a difficult task. There has been an increasing drive towards the utilization of artificial cells as cell mimics to alleviate this, a development that has been aided by recent advances in artificial cell construction. Cell mimics are simplified cell-like structures, composed from the bottom-up with precisely defined and tunable compositions. They allow specific facets of cell biology to be studied in isolation, in a simplified environment where control of variables can be achieved without interference from a living and responsive cell. This mini-review outlines the core principles of this approach and surveys recent key investigations that use cell mimics to address a wide range of biological questions. It will also place the field in the context of emerging trends, discuss the associated limitations, and outline future directions of the field. Impact statement Recent years have seen an increasing drive to construct cell mimics and use them as simplified experimental models to replicate and understand biological phenomena in a well-defined and controlled system. By summarizing the advances in this burgeoning field, and using case studies as a basis for discussion on the limitations and future directions of this approach, it is hoped that this minireview will spur others in the experimental biology community to use artificial cells as simplified models with which to probe biological systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Oscar Ces
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Yuval Elani
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
|
18
|
Martino C, deMello AJ. Droplet-based microfluidics for artificial cell generation: a brief review. Interface Focus 2016; 6:20160011. [PMID: 27499841 PMCID: PMC4918832 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2016.0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial cells are best defined as micrometre-sized structures able to mimic many of the morphological and functional characteristics of a living cell. In this mini-review, we describe progress in the application of droplet-based microfluidics for the generation of artificial cells and protocells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Martino
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Vladimir Prelog Weg 1, Zürich 8093, Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Gallo V, Stano P, Luisi PL. Protein Synthesis in Sub-Micrometer Water-in-Oil Droplets. Chembiochem 2016; 16:2073-9. [PMID: 26376303 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201500274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Water-in-oil (w/o) emulsions are used as a cellular model because of their unique cell-like architecture. Previous works showed the capability of eukaryotic-cell-sized w/o droplets (5-50 μm) to support protein synthesis efficiently; however data about smaller w/o compartments (<1 μm) are lacking. This work focuses on the biosynthesis of the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) inside sub-micrometric lecithin-based w/o droplets (0.8-1 μm) and on its dependence on the compartments' dynamic properties in terms of solute exchange mechanisms. We demonstrated that protein synthesis is strongly affected by the nature of the lipid interface. These findings could be of value and interest for both basic and applied research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Gallo
- Science Department, Roma Tre University, Viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Pasquale Stano
- Science Department, Roma Tre University, Viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Pier Luigi Luisi
- Science Department, Roma Tre University, Viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Morita M, Yamashita H, Hayakawa M, Onoe H, Takinoue M. Capillary-based Centrifugal Microfluidic Device for Size-controllable Formation of Monodisperse Microdroplets. J Vis Exp 2016:53860. [PMID: 26967046 DOI: 10.3791/53860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we demonstrate a simple method for the rapid production of size-controllable, monodisperse, W/O microdroplets using a capillary-based centrifugal microfluidic device. W/O microdroplets have recently been used in powerful methods that enable miniaturized chemical experiments. Therefore, developing a versatile method to yield monodisperse W/O microdroplets is needed. We have developed a method for generating monodisperse W/O microdroplets based on a capillary-based centrifugal axisymmetric co-flowing microfluidic device. We succeeded in controlling the size of microdroplets by adjusting the capillary orifice. Our method requires equipment that is easier-to-use than with other microfluidic techniques, requires only a small volume (0.1-1 µl) of sample solution for encapsulation, and enables the production of hundreds of thousands number of W/O microdroplets per second. We expect this method will assist biological studies that require precious biological samples by conserving the volume of the samples for rapid quantitative analysis biochemical and biological studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masamune Morita
- Department of Computational Intelligence and Systems Science, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology
| | - Hitoyoshi Yamashita
- Department of Computational Intelligence and Systems Science, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology; Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo Institute of Technology
| | - Masayuki Hayakawa
- Department of Computational Intelligence and Systems Science, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology
| | - Hiroaki Onoe
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Keio University
| | - Masahiro Takinoue
- Department of Computational Intelligence and Systems Science, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology; PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency;
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Sugiura H, Ito M, Okuaki T, Mori Y, Kitahata H, Takinoue M. Pulse-density modulation control of chemical oscillation far from equilibrium in a droplet open-reactor system. Nat Commun 2016; 7:10212. [PMID: 26786848 PMCID: PMC4735724 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The design, construction and control of artificial self-organized systems modelled on dynamical behaviours of living systems are important issues in biologically inspired engineering. Such systems are usually based on complex reaction dynamics far from equilibrium; therefore, the control of non-equilibrium conditions is required. Here we report a droplet open-reactor system, based on droplet fusion and fission, that achieves dynamical control over chemical fluxes into/out of the reactor for chemical reactions far from equilibrium. We mathematically reveal that the control mechanism is formulated as pulse-density modulation control of the fusion–fission timing. We produce the droplet open-reactor system using microfluidic technologies and then perform external control and autonomous feedback control over autocatalytic chemical oscillation reactions far from equilibrium. We believe that this system will be valuable for the dynamical control over self-organized phenomena far from equilibrium in chemical and biomedical studies. Biological systems typically operate at conditions far from chemical equilibrium. Here, the authors model and develop a microfluidic reactor allowing control over time-variable supply and dissipation of chemicals by droplet fusion and fission, allowing non-equilibrium chemical reactions to be regulated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haruka Sugiura
- Department of Computational Intelligence and Systems Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8502, Japan
| | - Manami Ito
- Department of Computational Intelligence and Systems Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8502, Japan
| | - Tomoya Okuaki
- Department of Computational Intelligence and Systems Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8502, Japan
| | - Yoshihito Mori
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ochanomizu University, 2-1-1 Ohtsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8610, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kitahata
- Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Masahiro Takinoue
- Department of Computational Intelligence and Systems Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8502, Japan.,PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), 4-1-8 Honcho Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Ito M, Sugiura H, Ayukawa S, Kiga D, Takinoue M. A Bacterial Continuous Culture System Based on a Microfluidic Droplet Open Reactor. ANAL SCI 2016; 32:61-6. [PMID: 26753707 DOI: 10.2116/analsci.32.61] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Recently, micrometer-sized bacterial culture systems have attracted attention as useful tools for synthetic biology studies. Here, we present the development of a bacterial continuous culture system based on a microdroplet open reactor consisting of two types of water-in-oil microdroplets with diameters of several hundred micrometers. A continuous culture was realized the through supply of nutrient substrates and the removal of waste and excess bacterial cells based on repeated fusion and fission of droplets. The growth dynamics was controlled by the interval of fusion. We constructed a microfluidic system and quantitatively assessed the dynamics of the bacterial growth using a mathematical model. This system will facilitate the study of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manami Ito
- Department of Computational Intelligence and Systems Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Pan M, Kim M, Blauch L, Tang SKY. Surface-functionalizable amphiphilic nanoparticles for pickering emulsions with designer fluid–fluid interfaces. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra03950b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This work describes the synthesis of amphiphilic silica nanoparticles with functionalizable surfaces for stabilizing aqueous drops in fluorinated oils, and for enabling the generation of emulsions with tailored interfacial properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ming Pan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering
- Stanford University
- Stanford
- USA
| | - Minkyu Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Stanford University
- Stanford
- USA
| | - Lucas Blauch
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Stanford University
- Stanford
- USA
| | - Sindy K. Y. Tang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Stanford University
- Stanford
- USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
|
25
|
Yamashita H, Morita M, Sugiura H, Fujiwara K, Onoe H, Takinoue M. Generation of monodisperse cell-sized microdroplets using a centrifuge-based axisymmetric co-flowing microfluidic device. J Biosci Bioeng 2015; 119:492-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2014.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Revised: 09/05/2014] [Accepted: 09/24/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
26
|
Teng W, Ban C, Hahn JH. Formation of lipid bilayer membrane in a poly(dimethylsiloxane) microchip integrated with a stacked polycarbonate membrane support and an on-site nanoinjector. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2015; 9:024120. [PMID: 26015832 PMCID: PMC4409621 DOI: 10.1063/1.4919066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This paper describes a new and facile approach for the formation of pore-spanning bilayer lipid membranes (BLMs) within a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microfluidic device. Commercially, readily available polycarbonate (PC) membranes are employed for the support of BLMs. PC sheets with 5 μm, 2 μm, and 0.4 μm pore diameters, respectively, are thermally bonded into a multilayer-stack, reducing the pore density of 0.4 μm-pore PC by a factor of 200. The BLMs on this support are considerably stable (a mean lifetime: 17 h). This multilayer-stack PC (MSPC) membrane is integrated into the PDMS chip by an epoxy bonding method developed to secure durable bonding under the use of organic solvents. The microchip has a special channel for guiding a micropipette in the proximity of the MSPC support. With this on-site injection technique, tens to hundreds of nanoliters of solutions can be directly dispensed to the support. Incorporating gramicidin ion channels into BLMs on the MSPC support has confirmed the formation of single BLMs, which is based on the observation from current signals of 20 pS conductance that is typical to single channel opening. Based on the bilayer capacitance (1.4 pF), about 15% of through pores across the MSPC membrane are estimated to be covered with BLMs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Teng
- Department of Chemistry, BioNanotechnology Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology , 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, 790-784 Pohang, South Korea
| | - Changill Ban
- Department of Chemistry, BioNanotechnology Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology , 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, 790-784 Pohang, South Korea
| | - Jong Hoon Hahn
- Department of Chemistry, BioNanotechnology Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology , 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, 790-784 Pohang, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Abstract
Droplet microfluidics may soon change the paradigm of performing chemical analyses and related instrumentation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evgenia Yu Basova
- Masaryk University
- CEITEC, Central European Institute Technology
- Brno
- Czech Republic
| | - Frantisek Foret
- Masaryk University
- CEITEC, Central European Institute Technology
- Brno
- Czech Republic
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Yoon DH, Jamshaid A, Ito J, Nakahara A, Tanaka D, Akitsu T, Sekiguchi T, Shoji S. Active microdroplet merging by hydrodynamic flow control using a pneumatic actuator-assisted pillar structure. LAB ON A CHIP 2014; 14:3050-5. [PMID: 24961178 DOI: 10.1039/c4lc00378k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
This paper describes a microdroplet merging device that can actively control the merging of various droplets under a wide range of flow conditions, using a simple structure. The microdroplets were trapped and merged in a wide chamber divided by pillars, and their behavior was controlled by two horizontal pneumatic microactuators. Hydrodynamic flow control by the actuation was evaluated numerically, and the trapping and merging of droplets were achieved experimentally and controlled via pressure applied to the microactuators. Furthermore, two independently generated droplets were merged under four different modes, ranging from no merging to four-droplet merging, with different ratios and volumes. The pneumatic actuators allowed not only the control of the number of merged droplets, but also a wide range of applied droplet volumes. The device was fabricated simply using a single-layer PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) structure, and the continuous merging performance operated using only hydrodynamic flow control without any surfactant. Finally, chemical synthesis of a metal complex was performed by the droplet merging method. Crystallization of the complex was visualized in real time, and the synthesis was verified by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dong Hyun Yoon
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1, Okubo, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
van Hoof B, Markvoort AJ, van Santen RA, Hilbers PAJ. Molecular Simulation of Protein Encapsulation in Vesicle Formation. J Phys Chem B 2014; 118:3346-54. [DOI: 10.1021/jp410612k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bram van Hoof
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, ‡Institute for Complex
Molecular
Systems, and §Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology,
P. O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Albert J. Markvoort
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, ‡Institute for Complex
Molecular
Systems, and §Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology,
P. O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Rutger A. van Santen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, ‡Institute for Complex
Molecular
Systems, and §Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology,
P. O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Peter A. J. Hilbers
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, ‡Institute for Complex
Molecular
Systems, and §Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology,
P. O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Tsuji Y, Kawano R, Osaki T, Kamiya K, Miki N, Takeuchi S. Droplet Split-and-Contact Method for High-Throughput Transmembrane Electrical Recording. Anal Chem 2013; 85:10913-9. [DOI: 10.1021/ac402299z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yutaro Tsuji
- Artificial
Cell
Membrane System Group, Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology (KAST), 3-2-1
Sakado, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki 213-0012, Japan
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi,
Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan
| | - Ryuji Kawano
- Artificial
Cell
Membrane System Group, Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology (KAST), 3-2-1
Sakado, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki 213-0012, Japan
| | - Toshihisa Osaki
- Artificial
Cell
Membrane System Group, Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology (KAST), 3-2-1
Sakado, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki 213-0012, Japan
| | - Koki Kamiya
- Artificial
Cell
Membrane System Group, Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology (KAST), 3-2-1
Sakado, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki 213-0012, Japan
| | - Norihisa Miki
- Artificial
Cell
Membrane System Group, Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology (KAST), 3-2-1
Sakado, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki 213-0012, Japan
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi,
Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan
| | - Shoji Takeuchi
- Artificial
Cell
Membrane System Group, Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology (KAST), 3-2-1
Sakado, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki 213-0012, Japan
- CIRMM-IIS, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Minardi CS, Taghioskoui M, Jang SJ, Jorabchi K. Reagent delivery by partial coalescence and noncoalescence of aqueous microdroplets in oil. Anal Chem 2013; 85:6491-6. [PMID: 23758450 DOI: 10.1021/ac4010524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Reagent delivery constitutes a key step for reaction initiation in droplet-in-oil microfluidic platforms. Currently, this function is performed by complete fusion of a reagent droplet with the reactor droplet. The full coalescence, however, constrains the lower limit of volume delivery because reproducible droplet generation becomes exceedingly difficult as the reagent droplet volume is decreased. Here, we demonstrate fractional volume delivery based on partially coalescent and noncoalescent droplet collisions as a new reagent delivery mechanism. A charged reagent droplet is generated by pulsing a flow carrying needle to high voltage. The charged droplet is directed toward a grounded reactor droplet. Upon collision, the reagent droplet inverts its charge and is pulled away from the reactor droplet prior to full fusion, injecting only a fraction of its volume. The undelivered portion of the reagent drop is then merged with a collector droplet. We demonstrate that a wide range of fractional injections (0.003%-56%) can be reproducibly achieved, providing a means for minute volume delivery without small drop generation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carina S Minardi
- Department of Chemistry, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. 20057, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Leptihn S, Castell OK, Cronin B, Lee EH, Gross LCM, Marshall DP, Thompson JR, Holden M, Wallace MI. Constructing droplet interface bilayers from the contact of aqueous droplets in oil. Nat Protoc 2013; 8:1048-57. [DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2013.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
33
|
|
34
|
van Hoof B, Markvoort AJ, van Santen RA, Hilbers PAJ. On protein crowding and bilayer bulging in spontaneous vesicle formation. J Phys Chem B 2012; 116:12677-83. [PMID: 23025534 DOI: 10.1021/jp3062306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Spontaneous aggregation of lipids into bilayers and vesicles is a key property for the formation of biological membranes. Understanding the compartmentalization achieved by vesicle formation is an important step toward understanding the origin of life, and is crucial in current efforts to develop artificial life. Spontaneously formed vesicles may be applied as artificial cells if they can efficiently encapsulate biomacromolecules. Recent studies report an enhanced concentration of encapsulated proteins during vesicle formation. In order to obtain more insight into this encapsulation process, here we simulate the spontaneous transition of flat bilayers to vesicles in the presence of solvated model proteins using molecular dynamics simulations. In the bilayer-vesicle transition, which is found to be unaffected by the presence of the solvated proteins, the bilayer edge remains at almost the same height, while the center of the membrane bulges out, a molecular pathway we denominate "bilayer bulging". This bulging results in an interior protein concentration that is significantly lower than that of the solution. By means of an increased protein-membrane interaction, enhanced encapsulation of proteins inside the vesicles could be achieved in our simulations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bram van Hoof
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Matosevic S. Synthesizing artificial cells from giant unilamellar vesicles: State-of-the art in the development of microfluidic technology. Bioessays 2012; 34:992-1001. [DOI: 10.1002/bies.201200105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
|
36
|
Droplet Microfluidic Technology: Mirodroplets Formation and Manipulation. CHINESE JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/s1872-2040(11)60567-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|