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Tong Z, Shen C, Li Q, Yin H, Mao H. Combining sensors and actuators with electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD): advanced digital microfluidic systems for biomedical applications. Analyst 2023; 148:1399-1421. [PMID: 36752059 DOI: 10.1039/d2an01707e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
The concept of digital microfluidics (DMF) enables highly flexible and precise droplet manipulation at a picoliter scale, making DMF a promising approach to realize integrated, miniaturized "lab-on-a-chip" (LOC) systems for research and clinical purposes. Owing to its simplicity and effectiveness, electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) is one of the most commonly studied and applied effects to implement DMF. However, complex biomedical assays usually require more sophisticated sample handling and detection capabilities than basic EWOD manipulation. Alternatively, combined systems integrating EWOD actuators and other fluidic handling techniques are essential for bringing DMF into practical use. In this paper, we briefly review the main approaches for the integration/combination of EWOD with other microfluidic manipulation methods or additional external fields for specified biomedical applications. The form of integration ranges from independently operating sub-systems to fully coupled hybrid actuators. The corresponding biomedical applications of these works are also summarized to illustrate the significance of these innovative combination attempts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoduo Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China. .,Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Chuanjie Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China. .,Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qiushi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China.
| | - Hao Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China. .,Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hongju Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China.
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2
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Sinha A, Stavrakis AK, Simić M, Kojić S, Stojanović GM. Gold Leaf-Based Microfluidic Platform for Detection of Essential Oils Using Impedance Spectroscopy. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:1169. [PMID: 36551136 PMCID: PMC9776385 DOI: 10.3390/bios12121169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Drug delivery systems are engineered platforms for the controlled release of various therapeutic agents. This paper presents a conductive gold leaf-based microfluidic platform fabricated using xurography technique for its potential implication in controlled drug delivery operations. To demonstrate this, peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils (EOs) were selected as target fluids, which are best known for their medicinal properties in the field of dentistry. The work takes advantage of the high conductivity of the gold leaf, and thus, the response characteristics of the microfluidic chip are studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) upon injecting EOs into its micro-channels. The effect of the exposure time of the chip to different concentrations (1% and 5%) of EOs was analyzed, and change in electrical resistance was measured at different time intervals of 0 h (the time of injection), 22 h, and 46 h. It was observed that our fabricated device demonstrated higher values of electrical resistance when exposed to EOs for longer times. Moreover, eucalyptus oil had stronger degradable effects on the chip, which resulted in higher electrical resistance than that of peppermint. 1% and 5% of Eucalyptus oil showed an electrical resistance of 1.79 kΩ and 1.45 kΩ at 10 kHz, while 1% and 5% of peppermint oil showed 1.26 kΩ and 1.07 kΩ of electrical resistance at 10 kHz respectively. The findings obtained in this paper are beneficial for designing suitable microfluidic devices to expand their applications for various biomedical purposes.
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3
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Shen W, Wang M, Sun X, Liu G, Li Z, Liu S. Two microfluidic chips based on Rayleigh surface acoustic waves for controllable synthesis of silver nanoparticles: A comparison. Microchem J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2022.107576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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4
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Steinbach MK, Leipert J, Blurton C, Leippe M, Tholey A. Digital Microfluidics Supported Microproteomics for Quantitative Proteome Analysis of Single Caenorhabditis elegans Nematodes. J Proteome Res 2022; 21:1986-1996. [PMID: 35771142 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.2c00274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Miniaturization of sample preparation, including omissible manual sample handling steps, is key for reproducible nanoproteomics, as material is often restricted to only hundreds of cells or single model organisms. Here, we demonstrate a highly sensitive digital microfluidics (DMF)-based sample preparation workflow making use of single-pot solid-phase enhanced sample preparation (SP3) in combination with high-field asymmetric-waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS), and fast and sensitive ion trap detection on an Orbitrap tribrid MS system. Compared to a manual in-tube SP3-supported sample preparation, the numbers of identified peptides and proteins were markedly increased, while lower standard deviations between replicates were observed. We repeatedly identified up to 5000 proteins from single nematodes. Moreover, label-free quantification of protein changes in single Caenorhabditis elegans treated with a heat stimulus yielded 45 differentially abundant proteins when compared to the untreated control, highlighting the potential of this technology for low-input proteomics studies. LC-MS data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange Consortium with the data set identifier PXD033143.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max K Steinbach
- Systematic Proteome Research & Bioanalytics, Institute for Experimental Medicine, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Jan Leipert
- Systematic Proteome Research & Bioanalytics, Institute for Experimental Medicine, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Christine Blurton
- Comparative Immunobiology, Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, 24098 Kiel, Germany
| | - Matthias Leippe
- Comparative Immunobiology, Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, 24098 Kiel, Germany
| | - Andreas Tholey
- Systematic Proteome Research & Bioanalytics, Institute for Experimental Medicine, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany
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Chmayssem A, Tanase CE, Verplanck N, Gougis M, Mourier V, Zebda A, Ghaemmaghami AM, Mailley P. New Microfluidic System for Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Assessment of Cell Culture Performance: Design and Development of New Electrode Material. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12070452. [PMID: 35884254 PMCID: PMC9313146 DOI: 10.3390/bios12070452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is widely accepted as an effective and non-destructive method to assess cell health during cell-culture. However, there is a lack of compact devices compatible with microfluidic integration and microscopy that could provide the real-time and non-invasive monitoring of cell-cultures using EIS. In this paper, we reported the design and characterization of a modular EIS testing system based on a patented technology. This device was fabricated using easily processable methodologies including screen-printing of the impedance electrodes and molding or micromachining of the cell culture chamber with an easy assembly procedure. Accordingly, to obtain processable, biocompatible and sterilizable electrode materials that lower the impact of interfacial impedance on TEER (Transepithelial electrical resistance) measurements, and to enable concomitant microscopy observations, we optimized the formulation of the electrode inks and the design of the EIS electrodes, respectively. First, electrode materials were based on carbon biocompatible inks enriched with IrOx particles to obtain low interfacial impedance electrodes approaching the performances of classical non-biocompatible Ag/AgCl second-species electrodes. Secondly, we proposed three original electrode designs, which were compared to classical disk electrodes that were optically compatible with microscopy. We assessed the impact of the electrode design on the response of the impedance sensor using COMSOL Multiphysics. Finally, the performance of the impedance spectroscopy devices was assessed in vitro using human airway epithelial cell cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayman Chmayssem
- University Grenoble Alpes, CEA, LETI, DTBS, F-38000 Grenoble, France; (N.V.); (M.G.); (V.M.)
- University Grenoble Alpes, TIMC-IMAG/CNRS/INSERM, UMR 5525, F-38000 Grenoble, France;
| | - Constantin Edi Tanase
- Immunology & Immuno-Bioengineering Group, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; (C.E.T.); (A.M.G.)
| | - Nicolas Verplanck
- University Grenoble Alpes, CEA, LETI, DTBS, F-38000 Grenoble, France; (N.V.); (M.G.); (V.M.)
| | - Maxime Gougis
- University Grenoble Alpes, CEA, LETI, DTBS, F-38000 Grenoble, France; (N.V.); (M.G.); (V.M.)
| | - Véronique Mourier
- University Grenoble Alpes, CEA, LETI, DTBS, F-38000 Grenoble, France; (N.V.); (M.G.); (V.M.)
| | - Abdelkader Zebda
- University Grenoble Alpes, TIMC-IMAG/CNRS/INSERM, UMR 5525, F-38000 Grenoble, France;
| | - Amir M. Ghaemmaghami
- Immunology & Immuno-Bioengineering Group, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; (C.E.T.); (A.M.G.)
| | - Pascal Mailley
- University Grenoble Alpes, CEA, LETI, DTBS, F-38000 Grenoble, France; (N.V.); (M.G.); (V.M.)
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6
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Zhang Y, Liu Y. A Digital Microfluidic Device Integrated with Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy for Cell-Based Immunoassay. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12050330. [PMID: 35624631 PMCID: PMC9138827 DOI: 10.3390/bios12050330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The dynamic immune response to various diseases and therapies has been considered a promising indicator of disease status and therapeutic effectiveness. For instance, the human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC), as a major player in the immune system, is an important index to indicate a patient's immune function. Therefore, establishing a simple yet sensitive tool that can frequently assess the immune system during the course of disease and treatment is of great importance. This study introduced an integrated system that includes an electrochemical impedance spectroscope (EIS)-based biosensor in a digital microfluidic (DMF) device, to quantify the PBMC abundance with minimally trained hands. Moreover, we exploited the unique droplet manipulation feature of the DMF platform and conducted a dynamic cell capture assay, which enhanced the detection signal by 2.4-fold. This integrated system was able to detect as few as 104 PBMCs per mL, presenting suitable sensitivity to quantify PBMCs. This integrated system is easy-to-operate and sensitive, and therefore holds great potential as a powerful tool to profile immune-mediated therapeutic responses in a timely manner, which can be further evolved as a point-of-care diagnostic device to conduct near-patient tests from blood samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqian Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
- Microbiome Program, Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Yuguang Liu
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
- Microbiome Program, Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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7
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Perry JM, Soffer G, Jain R, Shih SCC. Expanding the limits towards 'one-pot' DNA assembly and transformation on a rapid-prototype microfluidic device. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:3730-3741. [PMID: 34369550 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc00415h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
DNA assembly and transformation are crucial to the building process in synthetic biology. These steps are significant roadblocks when engineering increasingly complex biological systems. To address this, recent development of widespread 'biofoundry' facilities has employed automation equipment to expedite the synthetic biology workflow. Despite significant progress, there is a clear demand for lower-cost and smaller-footprint automation equipment. The field of microfluidics have emerged to provide automation capabilities to meet this demand. However, we still lack devices capable of building large multi-gene systems in a consolidated process. In response to this challenge, we have developed a digital microfluidic platform that performs "one-pot" Golden Gate DNA assembly of large plasmids and transformation of E coli. The system features a novel electrode geometry and modular design, which make these devices simple to fabricate and use, thus improving the accessibility of microfluidics. This device incorporates an impedance-based adaptive closed loop water replenishment system to compensate for droplet evaporation and maintain constant assembly reaction concentrations, which we found to be crucial to the DNA assembly efficiency. We also showcase a closed-loop temperature control system that generates precise thermodynamic profiles to optimize heat shock transformation. Moreover, we validated the system by assembling and transforming large and complex plasmids conferring a biosynthetic pathway, resulting in performance comparable to those of standard techniques. We propose that the methods described here will contribute to a new generation of accessible automation platforms aimed at speeding up the 'building' process, lowering reagent consumption and removing manual work from synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Perry
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, Montréal, Québec, H4B 1R6, Canada.
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Montréal, Québec, H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Guy Soffer
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Montréal, Québec, H3G 1M8, Canada
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, Montréal, Québec, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Raja Jain
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, Montréal, Québec, H4B 1R6, Canada.
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Montréal, Québec, H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Steve C C Shih
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, Montréal, Québec, H4B 1R6, Canada.
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Montréal, Québec, H3G 1M8, Canada
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, Montréal, Québec, H4B 1R6, Canada
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8
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Hirama H, Yoshii S, Komazaki Y, Kano S, Torii T, Mekaru H. Droplet Handling for Chemical Reactors Using a Digital Microfluidic Device. CHEM LETT 2021. [DOI: 10.1246/cl.200654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hirotada Hirama
- Sensing System Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8564, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yoshii
- School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Yusuke Komazaki
- Sensing System Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8564, Japan
| | - Shinya Kano
- Sensing System Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8564, Japan
| | - Toru Torii
- Future Center Initiative, The University of Tokyo, Wakashiba, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0871, Japan
| | - Harutaka Mekaru
- Sensing System Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8564, Japan
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9
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Sargenti A, Musmeci F, Bacchi F, Delprete C, Cristaldi DA, Cannas F, Bonetti S, Pasqua S, Gazzola D, Costa D, Villa F, Zocchi MR, Poggi A. Physical Characterization of Colorectal Cancer Spheroids and Evaluation of NK Cell Infiltration Through a Flow-Based Analysis. Front Immunol 2020; 11:564887. [PMID: 33424829 PMCID: PMC7786051 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.564887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
To improve pathogenetic studies in cancer development and reliable preclinical testing of anti-cancer treatments, three-dimensional (3D) cultures, including spheroids, have been widely recognized as more physiologically relevant in vitro models of in vivo tumor behavior. Currently, the generation of uniformly sized spheroids is still challenging: different 3D cell culture methods produce heterogeneous populations in dimensions and morphology, that may strongly influence readouts reliability correlated to tumor growth rate or antitumor natural killer (NK) cell-mediated cytotoxicity. In this context, an increasing consensus claims the integration of microfluidic technologies within 3D cell culture, as the physical characterization of tumor spheroids is unavoidably demanded to standardize protocols and assays for in vitro testing. In this paper, we employed a flow-based method specifically conceived to measure weight, size and focused onto mass density values of tumor spheroids. These measurements are combined with confocal and digital imaging of such samples. We tested the spheroids of four colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines that exhibit statistically relevant differences in their physical characteristics, even though starting from the same cell seeding density. These variations are seemingly cell line-dependent and associated with the number of growing cells and the degree of spheroid compaction as well, supported by different adenosine-triphosphate contents. We also showed that this technology can estimate the NK cell killing efficacy by measuring the weight loss and diameter shrinkage of tumor spheroids, alongside with the commonly used cell viability in vitro test. As the activity of NK cells relies on their infiltration rate, the in vitro sensitivity of CRC spheroids proved to be exposure time- and cell line-dependent with direct correlation to the cell viability reduction. All these functional aspects can be measured by the system and are documented by digital image analysis. In conclusion, this flow-based method potentially paves the way towards standardization of 3D cell cultures and its early adoption in cancer research to test antitumor immune response and set up new immunotherapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Cecilia Delprete
- Laboratory of Human and General Physiology, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Delfina Costa
- Molecular Oncology and Angiogenesis Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Villa
- Molecular Oncology and Angiogenesis Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Raffaella Zocchi
- Division of Immunology, Transplants and Infectious Diseases, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Poggi
- Molecular Oncology and Angiogenesis Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
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10
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Zhang F, Zhang R, Wei M, Zhang Y. A novel method of cell culture based on the microfluidic chip for regulation of cell density. Biotechnol Bioeng 2020; 118:852-862. [PMID: 33124683 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The regulation of cell density is an important segment in microfluidic cell culture, particularly in the repeated assays. Traditionally, consistent cell density is difficult to achieve, owing to the inaccurate regulation of cell density with manual feedback. A novel cell culture method with automatic feedback is proposed for real-time regulation of cell density based on microfluidic chip in this paper. Here, an integrated microfluidic system combining cell culture, density detection, and control of proliferation rate was developed. Interdigital electrode structures were sputtered on the microchannel automatically to provide the real-time feedback information of impedance. The most sensitive frequency was studied to improve the detection resolution of the sensing chip. Cells were cultured on the chip surface and cell density was detected by monitoring the alternation of the impedance. The feedback controller was established by the least squares support vector machines. Then, the cell proliferation rate was automatically controlled using the feedback controller to achieve the desired cell density in the repeated assays. The results show that the standard error of this method is 2.8% indicating that the method can keep a consistency of cell density in the repeated assays. This study provides a basis for improving the accuracy and repeatability in the further assays of finding the optimal drug concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Zhang
- School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rongbiao Zhang
- School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mingji Wei
- School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yecheng Zhang
- School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
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11
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Chalklen T, Jing Q, Kar-Narayan S. Biosensors Based on Mechanical and Electrical Detection Techniques. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 20:E5605. [PMID: 33007906 PMCID: PMC7584018 DOI: 10.3390/s20195605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Biosensors are powerful analytical tools for biology and biomedicine, with applications ranging from drug discovery to medical diagnostics, food safety, and agricultural and environmental monitoring. Typically, biological recognition receptors, such as enzymes, antibodies, and nucleic acids, are immobilized on a surface, and used to interact with one or more specific analytes to produce a physical or chemical change, which can be captured and converted to an optical or electrical signal by a transducer. However, many existing biosensing methods rely on chemical, electrochemical and optical methods of identification and detection of specific targets, and are often: complex, expensive, time consuming, suffer from a lack of portability, or may require centralised testing by qualified personnel. Given the general dependence of most optical and electrochemical techniques on labelling molecules, this review will instead focus on mechanical and electrical detection techniques that can provide information on a broad range of species without the requirement of labelling. These techniques are often able to provide data in real time, with good temporal sensitivity. This review will cover the advances in the development of mechanical and electrical biosensors, highlighting the challenges and opportunities therein.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Qingshen Jing
- Department of Materials Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FS, UK;
| | - Sohini Kar-Narayan
- Department of Materials Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FS, UK;
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12
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Kremers T, Thelen S, Bosbach N, Schnakenberg U. PortaDrop: A portable digital microfluidic platform providing versatile opportunities for Lab-On-A-Chip applications. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238581. [PMID: 32881948 PMCID: PMC7470335 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Electrowetting-on-dielectric is a decent technique to manipulate discrete volumes of liquid in form of droplets. In the last decade, electrowetting-on-dielectric systems, also called digital microfluidic systems, became more frequently used for a variety of applications because of their high flexibility and reconfigurability. Thus, one design can be adapted to different assays by only reprogramming. However, this flexibility can only be useful if the entire system is portable and easy to use. This paper presents the development of a portable, stand-alone digital microfluidic system based on a Linux-based operating system running on a Raspberry Pi, which is unique. We present "PortaDrop" exhibiting the following key features: (1) an "all-in-one box" approach, (2) a user-friendly, self-explaining graphical user interface and easy handling, (3) the ability of integrated electrochemical measurements, (4) the ease to implement additional lab equipment via Universal Serial Bus and the General Purpose Interface Bus as well as (5) a standardized experiment documentation. We propose that PortaDrop can be used to carry out experiments in different applications, where small sample volumes in the nanoliter to picoliter range need to be handled an analyzed automatically. As a first application, we present a protocol, where a droplet is consequently exchanged by droplets of another medium using passive dispensing. The exchange is monitored by electrical impedance spectroscopy. It is the first time, the media exchange caused by passive dispensing is characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Summarizing, PortaDrop allows easy combination of fluid handling by means of electrowetting and additional sensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Kremers
- Chair of Micro- and Nanosystems and Institute of Materials in Electrical Engineering 1, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sarah Thelen
- Chair of Micro- and Nanosystems and Institute of Materials in Electrical Engineering 1, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Nils Bosbach
- Chair of Micro- and Nanosystems and Institute of Materials in Electrical Engineering 1, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Uwe Schnakenberg
- Chair of Micro- and Nanosystems and Institute of Materials in Electrical Engineering 1, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- * E-mail:
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13
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García Alonso D, Yu M, Qu H, Ma L, Shen F. Advances in Microfluidics-Based Technologies for Single Cell Culture. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 3:e1900003. [PMID: 32648694 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201900003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Single cell culture has been considered one of the fundamental tools for single cell studies. Complex biological systems evolve from single cells, and the cells within biological systems are intrinsically heterogeneous. Therefore, culturing and understanding the behaviors of single cells are of great interest for both biological research and clinical studies. In recent years, advances in microfluidics-based technologies have demonstrated unprecedented capabilities for single cell studies, and they have made high-throughput single cell cultures possible. Microfluidic systems enable precise control of the microenvironment for single cell culture and monitoring of the behavior of single cells in real time. In addition, microfluidic devices can consist of upstream cell sorting and cell isolation, and they can also be seamlessly integrated with various downstream analysis methods. Therefore, microfluidic technologies can obtain data about the performance at the single-cell level, providing information that cannot be achieved by studying the ensemble behavior of cell colonies. In this review, the recent developments in droplet-based microfluidics, microwell-based microfluidics, trap-based microfluidics and SlipChip-based microfluidics for the study of single cell culture is focused on. Perspectives on future improvement regarding single cell culture and its related research opportunities are also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel García Alonso
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Mengchao Yu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Haijun Qu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Liang Ma
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, 5781 Van Allen way, Carlsbad, CA, 92008, USA
| | - Feng Shen
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
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14
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Tanaka S, Kimura K, Miyamoto KI, Yanase Y, Uno S. Simulation and Experiment for Electrode Coverage Evaluation by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Using Parallel Facing Electrodes. ANAL SCI 2020; 36:853-858. [PMID: 31983717 DOI: 10.2116/analsci.19p451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
A parallel facing electrode (PFE) structure for adherent cell monitoring by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was developed, and its characteristics were investigated by both computer simulation and experiment. The PFE model consists of two facing gold electrode strips separated by 40 μm, and the area of its intersection is 500 × 500 μm. Computer simulation of EIS with adherent cells showed a distinct difference in solution resistance for different cell coverage, which was confirmed by experimental results using latex beads suspension. A well-defined relationship between solution resistance and cell coverage in our PFE is promising for quantitative evaluation of cell density, morphology and fatality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinya Tanaka
- Department of Electrical Systems, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University
| | - Kaiken Kimura
- Department of Electrical Systems, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University
| | | | - Yuhki Yanase
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Science, Hiroshima University
| | - Shigeyasu Uno
- Department of Electrical Systems, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University
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15
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Kothamachu VB, Zaini S, Muffatto F. Role of Digital Microfluidics in Enabling Access to Laboratory Automation and Making Biology Programmable. SLAS Technol 2020; 25:411-426. [PMID: 32584152 DOI: 10.1177/2472630320931794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Digital microfluidics (DMF) is a liquid handling technique that has been demonstrated to automate biological experimentation in a low-cost, rapid, and programmable manner. This review discusses the role of DMF as a "digital bioconverter"-a tool to connect the digital aspects of the design-build-learn cycle with the physical execution of experiments. Several applications are reviewed to demonstrate the utility of DMF as a digital bioconverter, namely, genetic engineering, sample preparation for sequencing and mass spectrometry, and enzyme-, immuno-, and cell-based screening assays. These applications show that DMF has great potential in the role of a centralized execution platform in a fully integrated pipeline for the production of novel organisms and biomolecules. In this paper, we discuss how the function of a DMF device within such a pipeline is highly dependent on integration with different sensing techniques and methodologies from machine learning and big data. In addition to that, we examine how the capacity of DMF can in some cases be limited by known technical and operational challenges and how consolidated efforts in overcoming these challenges will be key to the development of DMF as a major enabling technology in the computer-aided biology framework.
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16
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Hirama H, Iida T, Komazaki Y, Torii T, Mekaru H. Digital Microfluidic Device for Mixing Organic Droplets. CHEM LETT 2020. [DOI: 10.1246/cl.190941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hirotada Hirama
- Sensing System Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8564, Japan
| | - Takahiro Iida
- Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8563, Japan
| | - Yusuke Komazaki
- Sensing System Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8564, Japan
| | - Toru Torii
- Future Center Initiative, The University of Tokyo, Wakashiba, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0871, Japan
| | - Harutaka Mekaru
- Sensing System Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8564, Japan
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17
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Ghassemi P, Ren X, Foster BM, Kerr BA, Agah M. Post-enrichment circulating tumor cell detection and enumeration via deformability impedance cytometry. Biosens Bioelectron 2020; 150:111868. [PMID: 31767345 PMCID: PMC6957725 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2019.111868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood can provide valuable information when detecting, diagnosing, and monitoring cancer. This paper describes a system that consists of a constriction-based microfluidic sensor with embedded electrodes that can detect and enumerate cancer cells in blood. The biosensor measures impedance in terms of magnitude and phase at multiple frequencies as cells transit through the constriction channel. Cancer cells deform as they move through while blood cells remain intact, thus generating differential impedance profiles that can be used for detecting and counting CTCs. Two versions of this device are reported, one where the electrodes are embedded into the disposable microfluidic channel, and the other in which the disposable chip is externally fixed to a reusable substrate housing the electrodes. Both configurations were tested by spiking breast or prostate cancer cells into murine blood, and both detected all tumor cells passing through the narrow channels while being able to differentiate between the two cell lines. The chip in its current format has a throughput of 1 μL/min. While the throughput is scalable by integrating more constriction channels in parallel, the presented assay is intended for post-enrichment label-free enumeration and characterization of CTCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parham Ghassemi
- The Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States.
| | - Xiang Ren
- The Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States.
| | - Brittni M Foster
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, United States.
| | - Bethany A Kerr
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, United States.
| | - Masoud Agah
- The Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States.
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18
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Zhai J, Li H, Wong AHH, Dong C, Yi S, Jia Y, Mak PI, Deng CX, Martins RP. A digital microfluidic system with 3D microstructures for single-cell culture. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2020; 6:6. [PMID: 34567621 PMCID: PMC8433300 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-019-0109-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite the precise controllability of droplet samples in digital microfluidic (DMF) systems, their capability in isolating single cells for long-time culture is still limited: typically, only a few cells can be captured on an electrode. Although fabricating small-sized hydrophilic micropatches on an electrode aids single-cell capture, the actuation voltage for droplet transportation has to be significantly raised, resulting in a shorter lifetime for the DMF chip and a larger risk of damaging the cells. In this work, a DMF system with 3D microstructures engineered on-chip is proposed to form semi-closed micro-wells for efficient single-cell isolation and long-time culture. Our optimum results showed that approximately 20% of the micro-wells over a 30 × 30 array were occupied by isolated single cells. In addition, low-evaporation-temperature oil and surfactant aided the system in achieving a low droplet actuation voltage of 36V, which was 4 times lower than the typical 150 V, minimizing the potential damage to the cells in the droplets and to the DMF chip. To exemplify the technological advances, drug sensitivity tests were run in our DMF system to investigate the cell response of breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) and breast normal cells (MCF-10A) to a widely used chemotherapeutic drug, Cisplatin (Cis). The results on-chip were consistent with those screened in conventional 96-well plates. This novel, simple and robust single-cell trapping method has great potential in biological research at the single cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Zhai
- State-Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI, Institute of Microelectronics, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Haoran Li
- State-Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI, Institute of Microelectronics, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
- Faculty of Science and Technology-ECE, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Ada Hang-Heng Wong
- Cancer Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Cheng Dong
- State-Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI, Institute of Microelectronics, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Shuhong Yi
- Liver Transplantation Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 510000 Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanwei Jia
- State-Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI, Institute of Microelectronics, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
- Faculty of Science and Technology-ECE, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
- Cancer Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Pui-In Mak
- State-Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI, Institute of Microelectronics, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
- Faculty of Science and Technology-ECE, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Chu-Xia Deng
- Cancer Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Rui P. Martins
- State-Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI, Institute of Microelectronics, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
- Faculty of Science and Technology-ECE, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
- on leave from Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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19
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Parekh M, Ali A, Ali Z, Bateson S, Abugchem F, Pybus L, Lennon C. Microbioreactor for lower cost and faster optimisation of protein production. Analyst 2020; 145:6148-6161. [DOI: 10.1039/d0an01266a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Microbioreactor system, with inset the microbioreactor element, and an example cultivation growth profile showing dissolved oxygen, pH and dry cell weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayur Parekh
- Healthcare Innovation Centre
- School of Health and Life Sciences
- Teesside University
- Middlesbrough
- UK
| | - AbdulAziz Ali
- Healthcare Innovation Centre
- School of Health and Life Sciences
- Teesside University
- Middlesbrough
- UK
| | - Zulfiqur Ali
- Healthcare Innovation Centre
- School of Health and Life Sciences
- Teesside University
- Middlesbrough
- UK
| | - Simon Bateson
- Healthcare Innovation Centre
- School of Health and Life Sciences
- Teesside University
- Middlesbrough
- UK
| | - Fathi Abugchem
- Healthcare Innovation Centre
- School of Health and Life Sciences
- Teesside University
- Middlesbrough
- UK
| | - Leon Pybus
- FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies
- Billingham
- UK
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20
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Momtahen S, Taajobian M, Jahanian A. Drug Discovery Applications: A Customized Digital Microfluidic Biochip Architecture/CAD Flow. IEEE NANOTECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE 2019. [DOI: 10.1109/mnano.2019.2927773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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21
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Procházka V, Matějka R, Ižák T, Szabó O, Štěpanovská J, Filová E, Bačáková L, Jirásek V, Kromka A. Nanocrystalline diamond-based impedance sensors for real-time monitoring of adipose tissue-derived stem cells. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2019; 177:130-136. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2019.01.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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22
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Yu Y, de Campos RPS, Hong S, Krastev DL, Sadanand S, Leung Y, Wheeler AR. A microfluidic platform for continuous monitoring of dopamine homeostasis in dopaminergic cells. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2019; 5:10. [PMID: 31057937 PMCID: PMC6409360 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-019-0049-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Homeostasis of dopamine, a classical neurotransmitter, is a key indicator of neuronal health. Dysfunction in the regulation of dopamine is implicated in a long list of neurological disorders, including addiction, depression, and neurodegeneration. The existing methods used to evaluate dopamine homeostasis in vitro are inconvenient and do not allow for continuous non-destructive measurement. In response to this challenge, we introduce an integrated microfluidic system that combines dopaminergic cell culture and differentiation with electroanalytical measurements of extracellular dopamine in real-time at any point during an assay. We used the system to examine the behavior of differentiated SH-SY5Y cells upon exposure to four dopamine transporter ant/agonists (cocaine, ketamine, epigallocatechin gallate, and amphetamine) and study their pharmacokinetics. The IC50 values of cocaine, ketamine, and epigallocatechin gallate were determined to be (average ± standard deviation) 3.7 ± 1.1 µM, 51.4 ± 17.9 µM, and 2.6 ± 0.8 µM, respectively. Furthermore, we used the new system to study amphetamine-mediated dopamine release to probe the related phenomena of dopamine transporter-mediated reverse-transport and dopamine release from vesicles. We propose that this platform, which is the first platform to simultaneously evaluate uptake and release, could be useful to screen for drugs and other agents that target dopaminergic neurons and the function of the dopamine transporter. More broadly, this platform should be adaptable for any application that could benefit from high-temporal resolution electroanalysis combined with multi-day cell culture using small numbers of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yu
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College St, Toronto, ON M5s 3G9 Canada
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, 160 College St., Toronto, ON M5S 3E1 Canada
| | - Richard P. S. de Campos
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, 160 College St., Toronto, ON M5S 3E1 Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St George St., Toronto, ON M5S 3H6 Canada
| | - Seolim Hong
- Department of Human Biology, University of Toronto, 300 Huron Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3J6 Canada
| | - Dimitar L. Krastev
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, 160 College St., Toronto, ON M5S 3E1 Canada
- Department of Human Biology, University of Toronto, 300 Huron Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3J6 Canada
| | - Siddharth Sadanand
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, 160 College St., Toronto, ON M5S 3E1 Canada
| | - Yen Leung
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, 160 College St., Toronto, ON M5S 3E1 Canada
| | - Aaron R. Wheeler
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College St, Toronto, ON M5s 3G9 Canada
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, 160 College St., Toronto, ON M5S 3E1 Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St George St., Toronto, ON M5S 3H6 Canada
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23
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Acevedo-Barrera A, García-Valenzuela A. Theoretical assessment of single-frequency electrical sensors for continuous monitoring of cell lysis in dilute suspensions. SENSING AND BIO-SENSING RESEARCH 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sbsr.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
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24
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Zhang S, Shakiba N, Chen Y, Zhang Y, Tian P, Singh J, Chamberlain MD, Satkauskas M, Flood AG, Kherani NP, Yu S, Zandstra PW, Wheeler AR. Patterned Optoelectronic Tweezers: A New Scheme for Selecting, Moving, and Storing Dielectric Particles and Cells. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2018; 14:e1803342. [PMID: 30307718 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201803342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Optical micromanipulation has become popular for a wide range of applications. In this work, a new type of optical micromanipulation platform, patterned optoelectronic tweezers (p-OET), is introduced. In p-OET devices, the photoconductive layer (that is continuous in a conventional OET device) is patterned, forming regions in which the electrode layer is locally exposed. It is demonstrated that micropatterns in the photoconductive layer are useful for repelling unwanted particles/cells, and also for keeping selected particles/cells in place after turning off the light source, minimizing light-induced heating. To clarify the physical mechanism behind these effects, systematic simulations are carried out, which indicate the existence of strong nonuniform electric fields at the boundary of micropatterns. The simulations are consistent with experimental observations, which are explored for a wide variety of geometries and conditions. It is proposed that the new technique may be useful for myriad applications in the rapidly growing area of optical micromanipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuailong Zhang
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3H6, Canada
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Nika Shakiba
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Yujie Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Yanfeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Pengfei Tian
- Institute for Electric Light Sources, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jastaranpreet Singh
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - M Dean Chamberlain
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3H6, Canada
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Monika Satkauskas
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Andrew G Flood
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Nazir P Kherani
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G4, Canada
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E4, Canada
| | - Siyuan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
- Photonics Group, Merchant Venturers School of Engineering, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS81UB, UK
| | - Peter W Zandstra
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
- Medicine by Design, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Aaron R Wheeler
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3H6, Canada
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
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25
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Sinha H, Quach ABV, Vo PQN, Shih SCC. An automated microfluidic gene-editing platform for deciphering cancer genes. LAB ON A CHIP 2018; 18:2300-2312. [PMID: 29989627 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00470f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Gene-editing techniques such as RNA-guided endonuclease systems are becoming increasingly popular for phenotypic screening. Such screens are normally conducted in arrayed or pooled formats. There has been considerable interest in recent years to find new technological methods for conducting these gene-editing assays. We report here the first digital microfluidic method that can automate arrayed gene-editing in mammalian cells. Specifically, this method was useful in culturing lung cancer cells for up to six days, as well as implementing automated gene transfection and knockout procedures. In addition, a standardized imaging pipeline to analyse fluorescently labelled cells was also designed and implemented during these procedures. A gene editing assay for interrogating the MAPK/ERK pathway was performed to show the utility of our platform and to determine the effects of knocking out the RAF1 gene in lung cancer cells. In addition to gene knockout, we also treated the cells with an inhibitor, Sorafenib Tosylate, to determine the effects of enzymatic inhibition. The combination of enzymatic inhibition and guide targeting on device resulted in lower drug concentrations for achieving half-inhibitory effects (IC50) compared to cells treated only with the inhibitor, confirming that lung cancer cells are being successfully edited on the device. We propose that this system will be useful for other types of gene-editing assays and applications related to personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Sinha
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
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26
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Abstract
Droplet microfluidic systems have evolved as fluidic platforms that use much less sample volume and provide high throughput for biochemical analysis compared to conventional microfluidic devices. The variety of droplet fluidic applications triggered several detection techniques to be applied for analysis of droplets. In this review, we focus on label-free droplet detection techniques that were adapted to various droplet microfluidic platforms. We provide a classification of most commonly used droplet platform technologies. Then we discuss the examples of various label-free droplet detection schemes implemented for these platforms. While providing the research landscape for label-free droplet detection methods, we aim to highlight the strengths and shortcomings of each droplet platform so that a more targeted approach can be taken by researchers when selecting a droplet platform and a detection scheme for any given application.
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27
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Husser MC, Vo PQN, Sinha H, Ahmadi F, Shih SCC. An Automated Induction Microfluidics System for Synthetic Biology. ACS Synth Biol 2018. [PMID: 29516725 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The expression of a recombinant gene in a host organism through induction can be an extensively manual and labor-intensive procedure. Several methods have been developed to simplify the protocol, but none has fully replaced the traditional IPTG-based induction. To simplify this process, we describe the development of an autoinduction platform based on digital microfluidics. This system consists of a 600 nm LED and a light sensor to enable the real-time monitoring of the optical density (OD) samples coordinated with the semicontinuous mixing of a bacterial culture. A hand-held device was designed as a microbioreactor to culture cells and to measure the OD of the bacterial culture. In addition, it serves as a platform for the analysis of regulated protein expression in E. coli without the requirement of standardized well-plates or pipetting-based platforms. Here, we report for the first time, a system that offers great convenience without the user to physically monitor the culture or to manually add inducer at specific times. We characterized our system by looking at several parameters (electrode designs, gap height, and growth rates) required for an autoinducible system. As a first step, we carried out an automated induction optimization assay using a RFP reporter gene to identify conditions suitable for our system. Next, we used our system to identify active thermophilic β-glucosidase enzymes that may be suitable candidates for biomass hydrolysis. Overall, we believe that this platform may be useful for synthetic biology applications that require regulating and analyzing expression of heterologous genes for strain optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu C. Husser
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H4B 1R6, Canada
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Philippe Q. N. Vo
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Hugo Sinha
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H4B 1R6, Canada
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Fatemeh Ahmadi
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H4B 1R6, Canada
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Steve C. C. Shih
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H4B 1R6, Canada
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H4B 1R6, Canada
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1M8, Canada
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28
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Vo PQN, Husser MC, Ahmadi F, Sinha H, Shih SCC. Image-based feedback and analysis system for digital microfluidics. LAB ON A CHIP 2017; 17:3437-3446. [PMID: 28871290 DOI: 10.1039/c7lc00826k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Digital microfluidics (DMF) is a technology that provides a means of manipulating nL-μL volumes of liquids on an array of electrodes. By applying an electric potential to an electrode, these discrete droplets can be controlled in parallel which can be transported, mixed, reacted, and analyzed. Typically, an automation system is interfaced with a DMF device that uses a standard set of basic instructions written by the user to execute droplet operations. Here, we present the first feedback method for DMF that relies on imaging techniques that will allow online detection of droplets without the need to reactivate all destination electrodes. Our system consists of integrating open-source electronics with a CMOS camera and a zoom lens for acquisition of the images that will be used to detect droplets on the device. We also created an algorithm that uses a Hough transform to detect a variety of droplet sizes and to detect singular droplet dispensing and movement failures on the device. As a first test, we applied this feedback system to test droplet movement for a variety of liquids used in cell-based assays and to optimize different feedback actuation schemes to improve droplet movement fidelity. We also applied our system to a colorimetric enzymatic assay to show that our system is capable of biological analysis. Overall, we believe that using our approach of integrating imaging and feedback for DMF can provide a platform for automating biological assays with analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Q N Vo
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
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29
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Lee J, Shin S, Desalvo A, Lee G, Lee JY, Polini A, Chae S, Jeong H, Kim J, Choi H, Lee H. Nonmediated, Label-Free Based Detection of Cardiovascular Biomarker in a Biological Sample. Adv Healthc Mater 2017. [PMID: 28636127 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201700231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Direct electrochemical (EC) monitoring in a cell culture medium without electron transporter as called mediator is attractive topic in vitro organoid based on chip with frequently and long-time monitoring since it can avoid to its disadvantage as stability, toxicity. Here, direct monitoring with nonmediator is demonstrated based on impedance spectroscopy under the culture medium in order to overcome the limitation of mediator. The applicability of EC monitoring is shown by detecting alpha-1-anti trypsin (A1AT) which is known as biomarkers for cardiac damage and is widely chosen in organoid cardiac cell-based chip. The validity of presented EC monitoring is proved by observing signal processing and transduction in medium, mediator, medium-mediator complex. After the observation of electron behavior, A1AT as target analyte is immobilized on the electrode and detected using antibody-antigen interaction. As a result, the result indicates limit of detection is 10 ng mL-1 and linearity for the 10-1000 ng mL-1 range, with a sensitivity of 3980 nF (log [g mL])-1 retaining specificity. This EC monitoring is based on label-free and reagentless detection, will pave the way to use for continuous and simple monitoring of in vitro organoid platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- JuKyung Lee
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- National Center for Efficacy Evaluation of Respiratory Disease Product, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Jeongeup, 56212, Republic of Korea
| | - SuRyon Shin
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Anna Desalvo
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Geonhui Lee
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Yoon Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Alessandro Polini
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Sukyoung Chae
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Hobin Jeong
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jonghan Kim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Bouve College of Health Science, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Haksoo Choi
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - HeaYeon Lee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Bouve College of Health Science, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Nano-Integrated Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, South Korea
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30
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Liu Y, Gill E, Shery Huang YY. Microfluidic on-chip biomimicry for 3D cell culture: a fit-for-purpose investigation from the end user standpoint. Future Sci OA 2017; 3:FSO173. [PMID: 28670465 PMCID: PMC5481809 DOI: 10.4155/fsoa-2016-0084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A plethora of 3D and microfluidics-based culture models have been demonstrated in the recent years with the ultimate aim to facilitate predictive in vitro models for pharmaceutical development. This article summarizes to date the progress in the microfluidics-based tissue culture models, including organ-on-a-chip and vasculature-on-a-chip. Specific focus is placed on addressing the question of what kinds of 3D culture and system complexities are deemed desirable by the biological and biomedical community. This question is addressed through analysis of a research survey to evaluate the potential use of microfluidic cell culture models among the end users. Our results showed a willingness to adopt 3D culture technology among biomedical researchers, although a significant gap still exists between the desired systems and existing 3D culture options. With these results, key challenges and future directions are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Liu
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, UK, CB2 1PZ
| | - Elisabeth Gill
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, UK, CB2 1PZ
| | - Yan Yan Shery Huang
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, UK, CB2 1PZ
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31
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Latip EA, Coudron L, McDonnell MB, Johnston ID, McCluskey DK, Day R, Tracey MC. Protein droplet actuation on superhydrophobic surfaces: a new approach toward anti-biofouling electrowetting systems. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra10920b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-biofouling behaviour of an electrowetting device using off-the-shelf superhydrophobic materials is demonstrated through protein adsorption measurement and protein-laden droplet actuation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - L. Coudron
- School of Engineering and Technology
- University of Hertfordshire
- UK
| | - M. B. McDonnell
- School of Engineering and Technology
- University of Hertfordshire
- UK
- Dstl Porton Down
- Salisbury
| | - I. D. Johnston
- School of Engineering and Technology
- University of Hertfordshire
- UK
| | - D. K. McCluskey
- School of Engineering and Technology
- University of Hertfordshire
- UK
| | - R. Day
- School of Engineering and Technology
- University of Hertfordshire
- UK
| | - M. C. Tracey
- School of Engineering and Technology
- University of Hertfordshire
- UK
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32
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Dixon C, Ng AHC, Fobel R, Miltenburg MB, Wheeler AR. An inkjet printed, roll-coated digital microfluidic device for inexpensive, miniaturized diagnostic assays. LAB ON A CHIP 2016; 16:4560-4568. [PMID: 27801455 DOI: 10.1039/c6lc01064d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The diagnosis of infectious disease is typically carried out at the point-of-care (POC) using the lateral flow assay (LFA). While cost-effective and portable, LFAs often lack the clinical sensitivity and specificity required for accurate diagnoses. In response to this challenge, we introduce a new digital microfluidic (DMF) platform fabricated using a custom inkjet printing and roll-coating process that is scalable to mass production. The performance of the new devices is on par with that of traditional DMF devices fabricated in a cleanroom, with a materials cost for the new devices of only US $0.63 per device. To evaluate the usefulness of the new platform, we performed a 13-step rubella virus (RV) IgG immunoassay on the inkjet printed, roll-coated devices, which yielded a limit of detection of 0.02 IU mL-1, well below the diagnostic cut-off of 10 IU mL-1 for RV infection and immunity. We propose that this represents a breakthrough for DMF, lowering the costs to a level such that the new platforms will be an attractive alternative to LFAs for the diagnosis of infectious disease at the POC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Dixon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada.
| | - Alphonsus H C Ng
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada and Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Ryan Fobel
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada and Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Mark B Miltenburg
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada.
| | - Aaron R Wheeler
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada. and Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada and Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
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33
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Abstract
Digital microfluidics (DMF) is a droplet-based liquid-handling technology that has recently become popular for cell culture and analysis. In DMF, picoliter- to microliter-sized droplets are manipulated on a planar surface using electric fields, thus enabling software-reconfigurable operations on individual droplets, such as move, merge, split, and dispense from reservoirs. Using this technique, multistep cell-based processes can be carried out using simple and compact instrumentation, making DMF an attractive platform for eventual integration into routine biology workflows. In this review, we summarize the state-of-the-art in DMF cell culture, and describe design considerations, types of DMF cell culture, and cell-based applications of DMF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alphonsus H C Ng
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada; .,The Terrence Donnelly Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Bingyu Betty Li
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada; .,The Terrence Donnelly Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - M Dean Chamberlain
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada; .,The Terrence Donnelly Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Aaron R Wheeler
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada; .,The Terrence Donnelly Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Canada.,Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
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34
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In situ, dual-mode monitoring of organ-on-a-chip with smartphone-based fluorescence microscope. Biosens Bioelectron 2016; 86:697-705. [PMID: 27474967 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2016.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The use of organ-on-a-chip (OOC) platforms enables improved simulation of the human kidney's response to nephrotoxic drugs. The standard method of analyzing nephrotoxicity from existing OOC has majorly consisted of invasively collecting samples (cells, lysates, media, etc.) from an OOC. Such disruptive analyses potentiate contamination, disrupt the replicated in vivo environment, and require expertize to execute. Moreover, traditional analyses, including immunofluorescence microscopy, immunoblot, and microplate immunoassay are essentially not in situ and require substantial time, resources, and costs. In the present work, the incorporation of fluorescence nanoparticle immunocapture/immunoagglutination assay into an OOC enabled dual-mode monitoring of drug-induced nephrotoxicity in situ. A smartphone-based fluorescence microscope was fabricated as a handheld in situ monitoring device attached to an OOC. Both the presence of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) on the apical brush-border membrane of 786-O proximal tubule cells within the OOC surface, and the release of GGT to the outflow of the OOC were evaluated with the fluorescence scatter detection of captured and immunoagglutinated anti-GGT conjugated nanoparticles. This dual-mode assay method provides a novel groundbreaking tool to enable the internal and external in situ monitoring of the OOC, which may be integrated into any existing OOCs to facilitate their subsequent analyses.
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35
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Gach PC, Shih SC, Sustarich J, Keasling JD, Hillson NJ, Adams PD, Singh AK. A Droplet Microfluidic Platform for Automating Genetic Engineering. ACS Synth Biol 2016; 5:426-33. [PMID: 26830031 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.6b00011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
We present a water-in-oil droplet microfluidic platform for transformation, culture and expression of recombinant proteins in multiple host organisms including bacteria, yeast and fungi. The platform consists of a hybrid digital microfluidic/channel-based droplet chip with integrated temperature control to allow complete automation and integration of plasmid addition, heat-shock transformation, addition of selection medium, culture, and protein expression. The microfluidic format permitted significant reduction in consumption (100-fold) of expensive reagents such as DNA and enzymes compared to the benchtop method. The chip contains a channel to continuously replenish oil to the culture chamber to provide a fresh supply of oxygen to the cells for long-term (∼5 days) cell culture. The flow channel also replenished oil lost to evaporation and increased the number of droplets that could be processed and cultured. The platform was validated by transforming several plasmids into Escherichia coli including plasmids containing genes for fluorescent proteins GFP, BFP and RFP; plasmids with selectable markers for ampicillin or kanamycin resistance; and a Golden Gate DNA assembly reaction. We also demonstrate the applicability of this platform for transformation in widely used eukaryotic organisms such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus niger. Duration and temperatures of the microfluidic heat-shock procedures were optimized to yield transformation efficiencies comparable to those obtained by benchtop methods with a throughput up to 6 droplets/min. The proposed platform offers potential for automation of molecular biology experiments significantly reducing cost, time and variability while improving throughput.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip C. Gach
- Technology
Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), Emeryville, California 94608, United States
- Applied
Biosciences and Engineering, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, California 94550, United States
| | - Steve C.C. Shih
- Technology
Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), Emeryville, California 94608, United States
- Applied
Biosciences and Engineering, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, California 94550, United States
| | - Jess Sustarich
- Technology
Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), Emeryville, California 94608, United States
- Applied
Biosciences and Engineering, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, California 94550, United States
| | - Jay D. Keasling
- Fuels
Synthesis Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), Emeryville, California 94608, United States
- Biological
Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department
of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Nathan J. Hillson
- Technology
Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), Emeryville, California 94608, United States
- Fuels
Synthesis Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), Emeryville, California 94608, United States
- Biological
Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Walnut
Creek, California 94598, United States
| | - Paul D. Adams
- Technology
Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), Emeryville, California 94608, United States
- Department
of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Molecular
Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Anup K. Singh
- Technology
Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), Emeryville, California 94608, United States
- Applied
Biosciences and Engineering, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, California 94550, United States
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36
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Xu Y, Xie X, Duan Y, Wang L, Cheng Z, Cheng J. A review of impedance measurements of whole cells. Biosens Bioelectron 2016; 77:824-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2015.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 252] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2015] [Revised: 10/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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37
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Yu Y, Shamsi MH, Krastev DL, Dryden MDM, Leung Y, Wheeler AR. A microfluidic method for dopamine uptake measurements in dopaminergic neurons. LAB ON A CHIP 2016; 16:543-52. [PMID: 26725686 DOI: 10.1039/c5lc01515d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) is a classical neurotransmitter and dysfunction in its synaptic handling underlies many neurological disorders, including addiction, depression, and neurodegeneration. A key to understanding DA dysfunction is the accurate measurement of dopamine uptake by dopaminergic neurons. Current methods that allow for the analysis of dopamine uptake rely on standard multiwell-plate based ELISA, or on carbon-fibre microelectrodes used in in vivo recording techniques. The former suffers from challenges associated with automation and analyte degradation, while the latter has low throughput and is not ideal for laboratory screening. In response to these challenges, we introduce a digital microfluidic platform to evaluate dopamine homeostasis in in vitro neuron culture. The method features voltammetric dopamine sensors with limit of detection of 30 nM integrated with cell culture sites for multi-day neuron culture and differentiation. We demonstrate the utility of the new technique for DA uptake assays featuring in-line culture and analysis, with a determination of uptake of approximately ∼32 fmol in 10 min per virtual microwell (each containing ∼200 differentiated SH-SY5Y cells). We propose that future generations of this technique will be useful for drug discovery for neurodegenerative disease as well as for a wide range of applications that would benefit from integrated cell culture and electroanalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yu
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College St, Toronto, ON M5s 3G9, Canada. and Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, 160 College St., Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Mohtashim H Shamsi
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, 160 College St., Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada and Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St Georg St., Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Dimitar L Krastev
- Department of Human Biology, University of Toronto, 300 Huron Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3J6, Canada
| | - Michael D M Dryden
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St Georg St., Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Yen Leung
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, 160 College St., Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Aaron R Wheeler
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College St, Toronto, ON M5s 3G9, Canada. and Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, 160 College St., Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
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38
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Lei KM, Mak PI, Law MK, Martins RP. A palm-size μNMR relaxometer using a digital microfluidic device and a semiconductor transceiver for chemical/biological diagnosis. Analyst 2016; 140:5129-37. [PMID: 26034784 DOI: 10.1039/c5an00500k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Herein, we describe a micro-nuclear magnetic resonance (μNMR) relaxometer miniaturized to palm-size and electronically automated for multi-step and multi-sample chemical/biological diagnosis. The co-integration of microfluidic and microelectronic technologies enables an association between the droplet managements and μNMR assays inside a portable sub-Tesla magnet (1.2 kg, 0.46 Tesla). Targets in unprocessed biological samples, captured by specific probe-decorated magnetic nanoparticles (NPs), can be sequentially quantified by their spin-spin relaxation time (T2) via multiplexed μNMR screening. Distinct droplet samples are operated by a digital microfluidic device that electronically manages the electrowetting-on-dielectric effects over an electrode array. Each electrode (3.5 × 3.5 mm(2)) is scanned with capacitive sensing to locate the distinct droplet samples in real time. A cross-domain-optimized butterfly-coil-input semiconductor transceiver transduces between magnetic and electrical signals to/from a sub-10 μL droplet sample for high-sensitivity μNMR screening. A temperature logger senses the ambient temperature (0 to 40 °C) and a backend processor calibrates the working frequency for the transmitter to precisely excite the protons. In our experiments, the μNMR relaxometer quantifies avidin using biotinylated Iron NPs (Φ: 30 nm, [Fe]: 0.5 mM) with a sensitivity of 0.2 μM. Auto-handling and identification of two targets (avidin and water) are demonstrated and completed within 2.2 min. This μNMR relaxometer holds promise for combinatorial chemical/biological diagnostic protocols using closed-loop electronic automation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka-Meng Lei
- State-Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI, University of Macau, China.
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39
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Farzi GA, Nejad AP. An Image-Based Technique for Measuring Droplet Size Distribution: The Use of CNN Algorithm. J DISPER SCI TECHNOL 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/01932691.2015.1090321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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40
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41
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Shih SCC, Goyal G, Kim PW, Koutsoubelis N, Keasling JD, Adams PD, Hillson NJ, Singh AK. A Versatile Microfluidic Device for Automating Synthetic Biology. ACS Synth Biol 2015; 4:1151-64. [PMID: 26075958 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.5b00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
New microbes are being engineered that contain the genetic circuitry, metabolic pathways, and other cellular functions required for a wide range of applications such as producing biofuels, biobased chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Although currently available tools are useful in improving the synthetic biology process, further improvements in physical automation would help to lower the barrier of entry into this field. We present an innovative microfluidic platform for assembling DNA fragments with 10× lower volumes (compared to that of current microfluidic platforms) and with integrated region-specific temperature control and on-chip transformation. Integration of these steps minimizes the loss of reagents and products compared to that with conventional methods, which require multiple pipetting steps. For assembling DNA fragments, we implemented three commonly used DNA assembly protocols on our microfluidic device: Golden Gate assembly, Gibson assembly, and yeast assembly (i.e., TAR cloning, DNA Assembler). We demonstrate the utility of these methods by assembling two combinatorial libraries of 16 plasmids each. Each DNA plasmid is transformed into Escherichia coli or Saccharomyces cerevisiae using on-chip electroporation and further sequenced to verify the assembly. We anticipate that this platform will enable new research that can integrate this automated microfluidic platform to generate large combinatorial libraries of plasmids and will help to expedite the overall synthetic biology process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve C. C. Shih
- Sandia National Laboratories, 7011 East Avenue, Livermore, California 94550, United States
| | - Garima Goyal
- Physical
Bioscience Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron
Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Peter W. Kim
- Sandia National Laboratories, 7011 East Avenue, Livermore, California 94550, United States
| | - Nicolas Koutsoubelis
- Physical
Bioscience Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron
Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Jay D. Keasling
- Physical
Bioscience Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron
Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Paul D. Adams
- Physical
Bioscience Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron
Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Nathan J. Hillson
- Physical
Bioscience Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron
Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Anup K. Singh
- Sandia National Laboratories, 7011 East Avenue, Livermore, California 94550, United States
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42
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Digital Microfluidics for Manipulation and Analysis of a Single Cell. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:22319-32. [PMID: 26389890 PMCID: PMC4613310 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160922319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2015] [Revised: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 08/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The basic structural and functional unit of a living organism is a single cell. To understand the variability and to improve the biomedical requirement of a single cell, its analysis has become a key technique in biological and biomedical research. With a physical boundary of microchannels and microstructures, single cells are efficiently captured and analyzed, whereas electric forces sort and position single cells. Various microfluidic techniques have been exploited to manipulate single cells through hydrodynamic and electric forces. Digital microfluidics (DMF), the manipulation of individual droplets holding minute reagents and cells of interest by electric forces, has received more attention recently. Because of ease of fabrication, compactness and prospective automation, DMF has become a powerful approach for biological application. We review recent developments of various microfluidic chips for analysis of a single cell and for efficient genetic screening. In addition, perspectives to develop analysis of single cells based on DMF and emerging functionality with high throughput are discussed.
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43
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Caviglia C, Zór K, Canepa S, Carminati M, Larsen LB, Raiteri R, Andresen TL, Heiskanen A, Emnéus J. Interdependence of initial cell density, drug concentration and exposure time revealed by real-time impedance spectroscopic cytotoxicity assay. Analyst 2015; 140:3623-9. [PMID: 25868456 DOI: 10.1039/c5an00097a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the combined effect of the initial cell density (12,500, 35,000, 75,000, and 100,000 cells cm(-2)) and concentration of the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin on HeLa cells by performing time-dependent cytotoxicity assays using real-time electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. A correlation between the rate of cell death and the initial cell seeding density was found at 2.5 μM doxorubicin concentration, whereas this was not observed at 5 or 100 μM. By sensing the changes in the cell-substrate interaction using impedance spectroscopy under static conditions, the onset of cytotoxicity was observed 5 h earlier than when using a standard colorimetric end-point assay (MTS) which measures changes in the mitochondrial metabolism. Furthermore, with the MTS assay no cytotoxicity was observed after 15 h of incubation with 2.5 μM doxorubicin, whereas the impedance showed at this time point cell viability that was below 25%. These results indicate that impedance detection reveals cytotoxic events undetectable when using the MTS assay, highlighting the importance of combining impedance detection with traditional drug toxicity assays towards a more in depth understanding of the effect of anti-cancer drugs on in vitro assays. Moreover, the detection of doxorubicin induced toxicity determined with impedance under static conditions proved to be 6 times faster than in perfusion culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Caviglia
- Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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44
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Lafrenière NM, Mudrik JM, Ng AHC, Seale B, Spooner N, Wheeler AR. Attractive Design: An Elution Solvent Optimization Platform for Magnetic-Bead-based Fractionation Using Digital Microfluidics and Design of Experiments. Anal Chem 2015; 87:3902-10. [DOI: 10.1021/ac504697r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nelson M. Lafrenière
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Jared M. Mudrik
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Alphonsus H. C. Ng
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, 164 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Brendon Seale
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Neil Spooner
- Platform Technologies
and Science Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, GlaxoSmithKline Research and Development, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 0DP, United Kingdom
| | - Aaron R. Wheeler
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, 164 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada
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45
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George SM, Moon H. Digital microfluidic three-dimensional cell culture and chemical screening platform using alginate hydrogels. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2015; 9:024116. [PMID: 25945142 PMCID: PMC4401805 DOI: 10.1063/1.4918377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Electro wetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) digital microfluidics (DMF) can be used to develop improved chemical screening platforms using 3-dimensional (3D) cell culture. Alginate hydrogels are one common method by which a 3D cell culture environment is created. This paper presents a study of alginate gelation on EWOD DMF and investigates designs to obtain uniform alginate hydrogels that can be repeatedly addressed by any desired liquids. A design which allows for gels to be retained in place during liquid delivery and removal without using any physical barriers or hydrophilic patterning of substrates is presented. A proof of concept screening platform is demonstrated by examining the effects of different concentrations of a test chemical on 3D cells in alginate hydrogels. In addition, the temporal effects of the various chemical concentrations on different hydrogel posts are demonstrated, thereby establishing the benefits of an EWOD DMF 3D cell culture and chemical screening platform using alginate hydrogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subin M George
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington , Arlington, Texas 76019, USA
| | - Hyejin Moon
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington , Arlington, Texas 76019, USA
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46
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Caviglia C, Zór K, Montini L, Tilli V, Canepa S, Melander F, Muhammad HB, Carminati M, Ferrari G, Raiteri R, Heiskanen A, Andresen TL, Emnéus J. Impedimetric toxicity assay in microfluidics using free and liposome-encapsulated anticancer drugs. Anal Chem 2015; 87:2204-12. [PMID: 25582124 DOI: 10.1021/ac503621d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we have developed a microfluidic cytotoxicity assay for a cell culture and detection platform, which enables both fluid handling and electrochemical/optical detection. The cytotoxic effect of anticancer drugs doxorubicin (DOX), oxaliplatin (OX) as well as OX-loaded liposomes, developed for targeted drug delivery, was evaluated using real-time impedance monitoring. The time-dependent effect of DOX on HeLa cells was monitored and found to have a delayed onset of cytotoxicity in microfluidics compared with static culture conditions based on data obtained in our previous study. The result of a fluorescent microscopic annexin V/propidium iodide assay, performed in microfluidics, confirmed the outcome of the real-time impedance assay. In addition, the response of HeLa cells to OX-induced cytotoxicity proved to be slower than toxicity induced by DOX. A difference in the time-dependent cytotoxic response of fibrosarcoma cells (HT1080) to free OX and OX-loaded liposomes was observed and attributed to incomplete degradation of the liposomes, which results in lower drug availability. The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-dependent release of OX from OX-loaded liposomes was also confirmed using laryngopharynx carcinoma cells (FaDu). The comparison and the observed differences between the cytotoxic effects under microfluidic and static conditions highlight the importance of comparative studies as basis for implementation of microfluidic cytotoxic assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Caviglia
- Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology, Technical University of Denmark , DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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47
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Shih SCC, Gach PC, Sustarich J, Simmons BA, Adams PD, Singh S, Singh AK. A droplet-to-digital (D2D) microfluidic device for single cell assays. LAB ON A CHIP 2015; 15:225-36. [PMID: 25354549 DOI: 10.1039/c4lc00794h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
We have developed a new hybrid droplet-to-digital microfluidic platform (D2D) that integrates droplet-in-channel microfluidics with digital microfluidics (DMF) for performing multi-step assays. This D2D platform combines the strengths of the two formats-droplets-in-channel for facile generation of droplets containing single cells, and DMF for on-demand manipulation of droplets including control of different droplet volumes (pL-μL), creation of a dilution series of ionic liquid (IL), and parallel single cell culturing and analysis for IL toxicity screening. This D2D device also allows for automated analysis that includes a feedback-controlled system for merging and splitting of droplets to add reagents, an integrated Peltier element for parallel cell culture at optimum temperature, and an impedance sensing mechanism to control the flow rate for droplet generation and preventing droplet evaporation. Droplet-in-channel is well-suited for encapsulation of single cells as it allows the careful manipulation of flow rates of aqueous phase containing cells and oil to optimize encapsulation. Once single cell containing droplets are generated, they are transferred to a DMF chip via a capillary where they are merged with droplets containing IL and cultured at 30 °C. The DMF chip, in addition to permitting cell culture and reagent (ionic liquid/salt) addition, also allows recovery of individual droplets for off-chip analysis such as further culturing and measurement of ethanol production. The D2D chip was used to evaluate the effect of IL/salt type (four types: NaOAc, NaCl, [C2mim] [OAc], [C2mim] [Cl]) and concentration (four concentrations: 0, 37.5, 75, 150 mM) on the growth kinetics and ethanol production of yeast and as expected, increasing IL concentration led to lower biomass and ethanol production. Specifically, [C2mim] [OAc] had inhibitory effects on yeast growth at concentrations 75 and 150 mM and significantly reduced their ethanol production compared to cells grown in other ILs/salts. The growth curve trends obtained by D2D matched conventional yeast culturing in microtiter wells, validating the D2D platform. We believe that our approach represents a generic platform for multi-step biochemical assays such as drug screening, digital PCR, enzyme assays, immunoassays and cell-based assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve C C Shih
- Sandia National Laboratories, 7011 East Ave, Livermore, CA, USA.
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48
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Rackus DG, Dryden MDM, Lamanna J, Zaragoza A, Lam B, Kelley SO, Wheeler AR. A digital microfluidic device with integrated nanostructured microelectrodes for electrochemical immunoassays. LAB ON A CHIP 2015; 15:3776-84. [PMID: 26247922 DOI: 10.1039/c5lc00660k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Nanostructured microelectrodes (NMEs) are three-dimensional electrodes that have superb sensitivity for electroanalysis. Here we report the integration of NMEs with the versatile fluid-handling system digital microfluidics (DMF), for eventual application to distributed diagnostics outside of the laboratory. In the new methods reported here, indium tin oxide DMF top plates were modified to include Au NMEs as well as counter and pseudoreference electrodes. The new system was observed to outperform planar sensing electrodes of the type that are typically integrated with DMF. A rubella virus (RV) IgG immunoassay was developed to evaluate the diagnostic potential for the new system, relying on magnetic microparticles coated with RV particles and analysis by differential pulse voltammetry. The limit of detection of the assay (0.07 IU mL(-1)) was >100× below the World Health Organization defined cut-off for rubella immunity. The sensitivity of the integrated device and its small size suggest future utility for distributed diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darius G Rackus
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George St., Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada.
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49
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Srivastava SK, Ramaneti R, Roelse M, Tong HD, Vrouwe EX, Brinkman AGM, de Smet LCPM, van Rijn CJM, Jongsma MA. A generic microfluidic biosensor of G protein-coupled receptor activation – impedance measurements of reversible morphological changes of reverse transfected HEK293 cells on microelectrodes. RSC Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra04976h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Flowcell with micro-IDEs (250–500 μm) covered with both stable and reverse transfected cells overexpressing membrane receptors to demonstrate impedance responses to serial injections of analyte.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurabh K. Srivastava
- Plant Research International
- Wageningen UR
- 6708 PB Wageningen
- The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry
| | | | - Margriet Roelse
- Plant Research International
- Wageningen UR
- 6708 PB Wageningen
- The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Aldo G. M. Brinkman
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- Delft University of Technology
- 2628 BL Delft
- The Netherlands
- NanoNextNL
| | - Louis C. P. M. de Smet
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- Delft University of Technology
- 2628 BL Delft
- The Netherlands
- NanoNextNL
| | - Cees J. M. van Rijn
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry
- WageningenUR
- 6703 HB Wageningen
- The Netherlands
- Nanosens B.V
| | - Maarten A. Jongsma
- Plant Research International
- Wageningen UR
- 6708 PB Wageningen
- The Netherlands
- NanoNextNL
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Aijian AP, Garrell RL. Digital microfluidics for automated hanging drop cell spheroid culture. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 20:283-95. [PMID: 25510471 DOI: 10.1177/2211068214562002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Cell spheroids are multicellular aggregates, grown in vitro, that mimic the three-dimensional morphology of physiological tissues. Although there are numerous benefits to using spheroids in cell-based assays, the adoption of spheroids in routine biomedical research has been limited, in part, by the tedious workflow associated with spheroid formation and analysis. Here we describe a digital microfluidic platform that has been developed to automate liquid-handling protocols for the formation, maintenance, and analysis of multicellular spheroids in hanging drop culture. We show that droplets of liquid can be added to and extracted from through-holes, or "wells," and fabricated in the bottom plate of a digital microfluidic device, enabling the formation and assaying of hanging drops. Using this digital microfluidic platform, spheroids of mouse mesenchymal stem cells were formed and maintained in situ for 72 h, exhibiting good viability (>90%) and size uniformity (% coefficient of variation <10% intraexperiment, <20% interexperiment). A proof-of-principle drug screen was performed on human colorectal adenocarcinoma spheroids to demonstrate the ability to recapitulate physiologically relevant phenomena such as insulin-induced drug resistance. With automatable and flexible liquid handling, and a wide range of in situ sample preparation and analysis capabilities, the digital microfluidic platform provides a viable tool for automating cell spheroid culture and analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P Aijian
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Robin L Garrell
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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