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Gonçalves M, Gonçalves IM, Borges J, Faustino V, Soares D, Vaz F, Minas G, Lima R, Pinho D. Polydimethylsiloxane Surface Modification of Microfluidic Devices for Blood Plasma Separation. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1416. [PMID: 38794609 PMCID: PMC11125454 DOI: 10.3390/polym16101416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, researchers have developed a variety of new analytical and clinical diagnostic devices. These devices are predominantly based on microfluidic technologies, where biological samples can be processed and manipulated for the collection and detection of important biomolecules. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is the most commonly used material in the fabrication of these microfluidic devices. However, it has a hydrophobic nature (contact angle with water of 110°), leading to poor wetting behavior and issues related to the mixing of fluids, difficulties in obtaining uniform coatings, and reduced efficiency in processes such as plasma separation and molecule detection (protein adsorption). This work aimed to consider the fabrication aspects of PDMS microfluidic devices for biological applications, such as surface modification methods. Therefore, we studied and characterized two methods for obtaining hydrophilic PDMS surfaces: surface modification by bulk mixture and the surface immersion method. To modify the PDMS surface properties, three different surfactants were used in both methods (Pluronic® F127, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and polyethylene oxide (PEO)) at different percentages. Water contact angle (WCA) measurements were performed to evaluate the surface wettability. Additionally, capillary flow studies were performed with microchannel molds, which were produced using stereolithography combined with PDMS double casting and replica molding procedures. A PDMS microfluidic device for blood plasma separation was also fabricated by soft lithography with PDMS modified by PEO surfactant at 2.5% (v/v), which proved to be the best method for making the PDMS hydrophilic, as the WCA was lower than 50° for several days without compromising the PDMS's optical properties. Thus, this study indicates that PDMS surface modification shows great potential for enhancing blood plasma separation efficiency in microfluidic devices, as it facilitates fluid flow, reduces cell aggregations and the trapping of air bubbles, and achieves higher levels of sample purity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarida Gonçalves
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit, CMEMS-UMinho, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal; (M.G.); (V.F.); (D.S.)
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4800-122 Braga, Portugal, and 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Inês Maia Gonçalves
- MEtRICs, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal; (I.M.G.); (R.L.)
- IN+, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-001 Lisboa, Portugal
- Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Systems Engineering, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 2-3-10 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Joel Borges
- Physics Center of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal; (J.B.); (F.V.)
- LaPMET, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Vera Faustino
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit, CMEMS-UMinho, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal; (M.G.); (V.F.); (D.S.)
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4800-122 Braga, Portugal, and 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Delfim Soares
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit, CMEMS-UMinho, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal; (M.G.); (V.F.); (D.S.)
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4800-122 Braga, Portugal, and 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Filipe Vaz
- Physics Center of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal; (J.B.); (F.V.)
- LaPMET, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Graça Minas
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit, CMEMS-UMinho, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal; (M.G.); (V.F.); (D.S.)
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4800-122 Braga, Portugal, and 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rui Lima
- MEtRICs, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal; (I.M.G.); (R.L.)
- CEFT, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Diana Pinho
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit, CMEMS-UMinho, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal; (M.G.); (V.F.); (D.S.)
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4800-122 Braga, Portugal, and 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
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Pauly MD, Ganova-Raeva L. Point-of-Care Testing for Hepatitis Viruses: A Growing Need. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2271. [PMID: 38137872 PMCID: PMC10744957 DOI: 10.3390/life13122271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral hepatitis, caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis D virus (HDV), or hepatitis E virus (HEV), is a major global public health problem. These viruses cause millions of infections each year, and chronic infections with HBV, HCV, or HDV can lead to severe liver complications; however, they are underdiagnosed. Achieving the World Health Organization's viral hepatitis elimination goals by 2030 will require access to simpler, faster, and less expensive diagnostics. The development and implementation of point-of-care (POC) testing methods that can be performed outside of a laboratory for the diagnosis of viral hepatitis infections is a promising approach to facilitate and expedite WHO's elimination targets. While a few markers of viral hepatitis are already available in POC formats, tests for additional markers or using novel technologies need to be developed and validated for clinical use. Potential methods and uses for the POC testing of antibodies, antigens, and nucleic acids that relate to the diagnosis, monitoring, or surveillance of viral hepatitis infections are discussed here. Unmet needs and areas where additional research is needed are also described.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lilia Ganova-Raeva
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA;
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