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Zhou S, Chen T, Fu ES, Zhou T, Shi L, Yan H. A microfluidic microalgae detection system for cellular physiological response based on an object detection algorithm. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:2762-2773. [PMID: 38682283 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00941f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
The composition of species and the physiological status of microalgal cells serve as significant indicators for monitoring marine environments. Symbiotic with corals, Symbiodiniaceae are more sensitive to the environmental response. However, current methods for evaluating microalgae tend to be population-based indicators that cannot be focused on single-cell level, ignoring potentially heterogeneous cells as well as cell state transitions. In this study, we proposed a microalgal cell detection method based on computer vision and microfluidics, which combined microscopic image processing, microfluidic chip and convolutional neural network to achieve label-free, sheathless, automated and high-throughput microalgae identification and cell state assessment. By optimizing the data import, training process and model architecture, we solved the problem of identifying tiny objects at the micron scale, and the optimized model was able to perform the tasks of cell multi-classification and physiological state assessment with more than 95% mean average precision. We discovered a novel transition state and explored the thermal sensitivity of three clades of Symbiodiniaceae, and discovered the phenomenon of cellular heat shock at high temperatures. The evolution of the physiological state of Symbiodiniaceae cells is very important for directional cell evolution and early warning of coral ecosystem health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shizheng Zhou
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Tianhui Chen
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
| | - Edgar S Fu
- Graduate School of Computing and Information Science, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Teng Zhou
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Liuyong Shi
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Hong Yan
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
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2
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Wang Z, Giugliano G, Behal J, Schiavo M, Memmolo P, Miccio L, Grilli S, Nazzaro F, Ferraro P, Bianco V. All-optical dual module platform for motility-based functional scrutiny of microencapsulated probiotic bacteria. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2024; 15:2202-2223. [PMID: 38633099 PMCID: PMC11019698 DOI: 10.1364/boe.510543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Probiotic bacteria are widely used in pharmaceutics to offer health benefits. Microencapsulation is used to deliver probiotics into the human body. Capsules in the stomach have to keep bacteria constrained until release occurs in the intestine. Once outside, bacteria must maintain enough motility to reach the intestine walls. Here, we develop a platform based on two label-free optical modules for rapidly screening and ranking probiotic candidates in the laboratory. Bio-speckle dynamics assay tests the microencapsulation effectiveness by simulating the gastrointestinal transit. Then, a digital holographic microscope 3D-tracks their motility profiles at a single element level to rank the strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Wang
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems “E. Caianiello”, National Research Council (ISASI-CNR), Via Campi Flegrei, 34, Pozzuoli, 80078, Italy
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Piazzale Vincenzo Tecchio 80, Napoli 80125, Italy
| | - Giusy Giugliano
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems “E. Caianiello”, National Research Council (ISASI-CNR), Via Campi Flegrei, 34, Pozzuoli, 80078, Italy
| | - Jaromir Behal
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems “E. Caianiello”, National Research Council (ISASI-CNR), Via Campi Flegrei, 34, Pozzuoli, 80078, Italy
- Department of Optics, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, 17. listopadu 12, Olomouc 77146, Czechia
| | - Michela Schiavo
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems “E. Caianiello”, National Research Council (ISASI-CNR), Via Campi Flegrei, 34, Pozzuoli, 80078, Italy
| | - Pasquale Memmolo
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems “E. Caianiello”, National Research Council (ISASI-CNR), Via Campi Flegrei, 34, Pozzuoli, 80078, Italy
| | - Lisa Miccio
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems “E. Caianiello”, National Research Council (ISASI-CNR), Via Campi Flegrei, 34, Pozzuoli, 80078, Italy
| | - Simonetta Grilli
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems “E. Caianiello”, National Research Council (ISASI-CNR), Via Campi Flegrei, 34, Pozzuoli, 80078, Italy
| | - Filomena Nazzaro
- Istituto di Scienze dell'Alimentazione, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (ISA-CNR), Via Roma, 64, Avellino 83100, Italy
| | - Pietro Ferraro
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems “E. Caianiello”, National Research Council (ISASI-CNR), Via Campi Flegrei, 34, Pozzuoli, 80078, Italy
| | - Vittorio Bianco
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems “E. Caianiello”, National Research Council (ISASI-CNR), Via Campi Flegrei, 34, Pozzuoli, 80078, Italy
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3
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Ji J, Hu C, Pang X, Liang J, Huang Q, Hu S, Mei Q, Ma H. Open Thermal Control System for Stable Polymerase Chain Reaction on a Digital Microfluidic Chip. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:10937-10944. [PMID: 38463286 PMCID: PMC10918803 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c10312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
In this paper, a digital microfluidic thermal control system was introduced for the stable polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The system consists of a thermoelectric cooler unit, a thermal control board, and graphical-user-interface software capable of simultaneously achieving temperature control and on-chip droplet observation. A fuzzy proportional-integral-derivative (PID) method was developed for this system. The simulation analysis was performed to evaluate the temperature of different reagents within the chip. Based on the results, applying fuzzy PID control for PCR will enhance the thermal stability by 67.8% and save the time by 1195 s, demonstrating excellent dynamic response capability and thermal robustness. The experimental results are consistent with the simulation results on the planar temperature distribution, with a data consistency rate of over 99%. The PCR validation was carried out on this system, successfully amplifying the rat GAPDH gene at a concentration of 193 copies/μL. This work has the potential to be useful in numerous existing lab-on-a-chip applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajian Ji
- School of Biomedical Engineering (Suzhou), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biomedical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Suzhou 215163, China
| | - Chenxuan Hu
- School of Biomedical Engineering (Suzhou), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biomedical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Suzhou 215163, China
| | - Xinpei Pang
- School of Biomedical Engineering (Suzhou), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biomedical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Suzhou 215163, China
| | - Jiancong Liang
- Guangdong ACXEL Micro & Nano Tech Co., Ltd, Foshan 528200, China
| | - Qi Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biomedical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Suzhou 215163, China
| | - Siyi Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biomedical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Suzhou 215163, China
| | - Qian Mei
- School of Biomedical Engineering (Suzhou), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biomedical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Suzhou 215163, China
| | - Hanbin Ma
- School of Biomedical Engineering (Suzhou), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biomedical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Suzhou 215163, China
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4
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Nan L, Zhang H, Weitz DA, Shum HC. Development and future of droplet microfluidics. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:1135-1153. [PMID: 38165829 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00729d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Over the past two decades, advances in droplet-based microfluidics have facilitated new approaches to process and analyze samples with unprecedented levels of precision and throughput. A wide variety of applications has been inspired across multiple disciplines ranging from materials science to biology. Understanding the dynamics of droplets enables optimization of microfluidic operations and design of new techniques tailored to emerging demands. In this review, we discuss the underlying physics behind high-throughput generation and manipulation of droplets. We also summarize the applications in droplet-derived materials and droplet-based lab-on-a-chip biotechnology. In addition, we offer perspectives on future directions to realize wider use of droplet microfluidics in industrial production and biomedical analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lang Nan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
- Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
| | - Huidan Zhang
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - David A Weitz
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ho Cheung Shum
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
- Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
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5
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Cheng G, Kuan CY, Lou KW, Ho YP. Light-Responsive Materials in Droplet Manipulation for Biochemical Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2313935. [PMID: 38379512 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202313935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Miniaturized droplets, characterized by well-controlled microenvironments and capability for parallel processing, have significantly advanced the studies on enzymatic evolution, molecular diagnostics, and single-cell analysis. However, manipulation of small-sized droplets, including moving, merging, and trapping of the targeted droplets for complex biochemical assays and subsequent analysis, is not trivial and remains technically demanding. Among various techniques, light-driven methods stand out as a promising candidate for droplet manipulation in a facile and flexible manner, given the features of contactless interaction, high spatiotemporal resolution, and biocompatibility. This review therefore compiles an in-depth discussion of the governing mechanisms underpinning light-driven droplet manipulation. Besides, light-responsive materials, representing the core of light-matter interaction and the key character converting light into different forms of energy, are particularly assessed in this review. Recent advancements in light-responsive materials and the most notable applications are comprehensively archived and evaluated. Continuous innovations and rational engineering of light-responsive materials are expected to propel the development of light-driven droplet manipulation, equip droplets with enhanced functionality, and broaden the applications of droplets for biochemical studies and routine biochemical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyao Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
| | - Chit Yau Kuan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
| | - Kuan Wen Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
| | - Yi-Ping Ho
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
- Centre for Novel Biomaterials, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
- Hong Kong Branch of CAS Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
- The Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Regeneration Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
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6
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Vehusheia SLK, Roman CI, Arnoldini M, Hierold C. Experimental In Vitro Microfluidic Calorimetric Chip Data towards the Early Detection of Infection on Implant Surfaces. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:1019. [PMID: 38339736 PMCID: PMC10857106 DOI: 10.3390/s24031019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Heat flux measurement shows potential for the early detection of infectious growth. Our research is motivated by the possibility of using heat flux sensors for the early detection of infection on aortic vascular grafts by measuring the onset of bacterial growth. Applying heat flux measurement as an infectious marker on implant surfaces is yet to be experimentally explored. We have previously shown the measurement of the exponential growth curve of a bacterial population in a thermally stabilized laboratory environment. In this work, we further explore the limits of the microcalorimetric measurements via heat flux sensors in a microfluidic chip in a thermally fluctuating environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Signe L. K. Vehusheia
- Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland; (C.I.R.); (C.H.)
| | - Cosmin I. Roman
- Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland; (C.I.R.); (C.H.)
| | - Markus Arnoldini
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Christofer Hierold
- Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland; (C.I.R.); (C.H.)
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7
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Rosłon I, Japaridze A, Rodenhuis S, Hamoen L, Ghatkesar MK, Steeneken P, Dekker C, Alijani F. Microwell-enhanced optical rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing of single bacteria. iScience 2023; 26:108268. [PMID: 38026160 PMCID: PMC10654606 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics present an increasing burden on healthcare. To address this emerging crisis, novel rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) methods are eagerly needed. Here, we present an optical AST technique that can determine the bacterial viability within 1 h down to a resolution of single bacteria. The method is based on measuring intensity fluctuations of a reflected laser focused on a bacterium in reflective microwells. Using numerical simulations, we show that both refraction and absorption of light by the bacterium contribute to the observed signal. By administering antibiotics that kill the bacteria, we show that the variance of the detected fluctuations vanishes within 1 h, indicating the potential of this technique for rapid sensing of bacterial antibiotic susceptibility. We envisage the use of this method for massively parallelizable AST tests and fast detection of drug-resistant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ireneusz Rosłon
- Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 2, Delft 2628 CD, the Netherlands
- SoundCell B.V., Raamweg 20D, The Hague 2596HL, the Netherlands
| | - Aleksandre Japaridze
- Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 2, Delft 2628 CD, the Netherlands
- SoundCell B.V., Raamweg 20D, The Hague 2596HL, the Netherlands
| | - Stef Rodenhuis
- Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 2, Delft 2628 CD, the Netherlands
| | - Lieke Hamoen
- Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 2, Delft 2628 CD, the Netherlands
| | | | - Peter Steeneken
- Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 2, Delft 2628 CD, the Netherlands
| | - Cees Dekker
- Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 2, Delft 2628 CD, the Netherlands
| | - Farbod Alijani
- Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 2, Delft 2628 CD, the Netherlands
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8
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Stromberg ZR, Phillips SMB, Omberg KM, Hess BM. High-throughput functional trait testing for bacterial pathogens. mSphere 2023; 8:e0031523. [PMID: 37702517 PMCID: PMC10597404 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00315-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional traits are characteristics that affect the fitness and metabolic function of a microorganism. There is growing interest in using high-throughput methods to characterize bacterial pathogens based on functional virulence traits. Traditional methods that phenotype a single organism for a single virulence trait can be time consuming and labor intensive. Alternatively, machine learning of whole-genome sequences (WGS) has shown some success in predicting virulence. However, relying solely on WGS can miss functional traits, particularly for organisms lacking classical virulence factors. We propose that high-throughput assays for functional virulence trait identification should become a prominent method of characterizing bacterial pathogens on a population scale. This work is critical as we move from compiling lists of bacterial species associated with disease to pathogen-agnostic approaches capable of detecting novel microbes. We discuss six key areas of functional trait testing and how advancing high-throughput methods could provide a greater understanding of pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary R. Stromberg
- Chemical and Biological Signatures Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, USA
| | - Shelby M. B. Phillips
- Chemical and Biological Signatures Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, USA
| | - Kristin M. Omberg
- Chemical and Biological Signatures Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, USA
| | - Becky M. Hess
- Chemical and Biological Signatures Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, USA
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9
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Baranova AA, Tyurin AP, Korshun VA, Alferova VA. Sensing of Antibiotic-Bacteria Interactions. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1340. [PMID: 37627760 PMCID: PMC10451291 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12081340] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensing of antibiotic-bacteria interactions is an important area of research that has gained significant attention in recent years. Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern, and it is essential to develop new strategies for detecting and monitoring bacterial responses to antibiotics in order to maintain effective antibiotic development and antibacterial treatment. This review summarizes recent advances in sensing strategies for antibiotic-bacteria interactions, which are divided into two main parts: studies on the mechanism of action for sensitive bacteria and interrogation of the defense mechanisms for resistant ones. In conclusion, this review provides an overview of the present research landscape concerning antibiotic-bacteria interactions, emphasizing the potential for method adaptation and the integration of machine learning techniques in data analysis, which could potentially lead to a transformative impact on mechanistic studies within the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Vera A. Alferova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.B.); (A.P.T.); (V.A.K.)
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10
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Cardoso BD, Castanheira EMS, Lanceros-Méndez S, Cardoso VF. Recent Advances on Cell Culture Platforms for In Vitro Drug Screening and Cell Therapies: From Conventional to Microfluidic Strategies. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2202936. [PMID: 36898671 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202202936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
The clinical translations of drugs and nanomedicines depend on coherent pharmaceutical research based on biologically accurate screening approaches. Since establishing the 2D in vitro cell culture method, the scientific community has improved cell-based drug screening assays and models. Those advances result in more informative biochemical assays and the development of 3D multicellular models to describe the biological complexity better and enhance the simulation of the in vivo microenvironment. Despite the overall dominance of conventional 2D and 3D cell macroscopic culture methods, they present physicochemical and operational challenges that impair the scale-up of drug screening by not allowing a high parallelization, multidrug combination, and high-throughput screening. Their combination and complementarity with microfluidic platforms enable the development of microfluidics-based cell culture platforms with unequivocal advantages in drug screening and cell therapies. Thus, this review presents an updated and consolidated view of cell culture miniaturization's physical, chemical, and operational considerations in the pharmaceutical research scenario. It clarifies advances in the field using gradient-based microfluidics, droplet-based microfluidics, printed-based microfluidics, digital-based microfluidics, SlipChip, and paper-based microfluidics. Finally, it presents a comparative analysis of the performance of cell-based methods in life research and development to achieve increased precision in the drug screening process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz D Cardoso
- Physics Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, Braga, 4710-057, Portugal
- LaPMET-Laboratory of Physics for Materials and Emergent Technologies, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- Center for MicroElectromechanical Systems (CMEMS-UMinho), Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058, Guimarães, Portugal
- LABBELS-Associate Laboratory in Biotechnology and Bioengineering and Microelectromechanical Systems, University of Minho, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Elisabete M S Castanheira
- Physics Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, Braga, 4710-057, Portugal
- LaPMET-Laboratory of Physics for Materials and Emergent Technologies, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Senentxu Lanceros-Méndez
- Physics Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, Braga, 4710-057, Portugal
- LaPMET-Laboratory of Physics for Materials and Emergent Technologies, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- BCMaterials, Basque Center for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures, UPV/EHU Science Park, Leioa, 48940, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, 48009, Spain
| | - Vanessa F Cardoso
- Center for MicroElectromechanical Systems (CMEMS-UMinho), Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058, Guimarães, Portugal
- LABBELS-Associate Laboratory in Biotechnology and Bioengineering and Microelectromechanical Systems, University of Minho, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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Trinh TND, Do HDK, Nam NN, Dan TT, Trinh KTL, Lee NY. Droplet-Based Microfluidics: Applications in Pharmaceuticals. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:937. [PMID: 37513850 PMCID: PMC10385691 DOI: 10.3390/ph16070937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Droplet-based microfluidics offer great opportunities for applications in various fields, such as diagnostics, food sciences, and drug discovery. A droplet provides an isolated environment for performing a single reaction within a microscale-volume sample, allowing for a fast reaction with a high sensitivity, high throughput, and low risk of cross-contamination. Owing to several remarkable features, droplet-based microfluidic techniques have been intensively studied. In this review, we discuss the impact of droplet microfluidics, particularly focusing on drug screening and development. In addition, we surveyed various methods of device fabrication and droplet generation/manipulation. We further highlight some promising studies covering drug synthesis and delivery that were updated within the last 5 years. This review provides researchers with a quick guide that includes the most up-to-date and relevant information on the latest scientific findings on the development of droplet-based microfluidics in the pharmaceutical field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi Ngoc Diep Trinh
- Department of Materials Science, School of Applied Chemistry, Tra Vinh University, Tra Vinh City 87000, Vietnam
| | - Hoang Dang Khoa Do
- NTT Hi-Tech Institute, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ward 13, District 04, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Nhat Nam
- Biotechnology Center, School of Agriculture and Aquaculture, Tra Vinh University, Tra Vinh City 87000, Vietnam
| | - Thach Thi Dan
- Department of Materials Science, School of Applied Chemistry, Tra Vinh University, Tra Vinh City 87000, Vietnam
| | - Kieu The Loan Trinh
- BioNano Applications Research Center, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnam-daero, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Nae Yoon Lee
- Department of BioNano Technology, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnam-daero, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si 13120, Republic of Korea
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12
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Sun H, Xie W, Mo J, Huang Y, Dong H. Deep learning with microfluidics for on-chip droplet generation, control, and analysis. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1208648. [PMID: 37351472 PMCID: PMC10282949 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1208648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Droplet microfluidics has gained widespread attention in recent years due to its advantages of high throughput, high integration, high sensitivity and low power consumption in droplet-based micro-reaction. Meanwhile, with the rapid development of computer technology over the past decade, deep learning architectures have been able to process vast amounts of data from various research fields. Nowadays, interdisciplinarity plays an increasingly important role in modern research, and deep learning has contributed greatly to the advancement of many professions. Consequently, intelligent microfluidics has emerged as the times require, and possesses broad prospects in the development of automated and intelligent devices for integrating the merits of microfluidic technology and artificial intelligence. In this article, we provide a general review of the evolution of intelligent microfluidics and some applications related to deep learning, mainly in droplet generation, control, and analysis. We also present the challenges and emerging opportunities in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Sun
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of High-End Equipment Manufacturing, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wantao Xie
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of High-End Equipment Manufacturing, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jin Mo
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of High-End Equipment Manufacturing, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yi Huang
- Centre for Experimental Research in Clinical Medicine, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hui Dong
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of High-End Equipment Manufacturing, Fuzhou, China
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13
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Wu W, Cai G, Liu Y, Suo Y, Zhang B, Jin W, Yu Y, Mu Y. Direct single-cell antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Escherichia coli in urine using a ready-to-use 3D microwell array chip. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:2399-2410. [PMID: 36806255 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc01095j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Empirical antibiotic therapies are prescribed for treating uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to the long turnaround time of conventional antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), leading to the prevalence of multi-drug resistant pathogens. We present a ready-to-use 3D microwell array chip to directly conduct comprehensive AST of pathogenic agents in urine at the single-cell level. The developed device features a highly integrated 3D microwell array, offering a dynamic range from 102 to 107 CFU mL-1, and a capillary valve-based flow distributor for flow equidistribution in dispensing channels and uniform sample distribution. The chip with pre-loaded reagents and negative pressure inside only requires the user to initiate AST by loading samples (∼3 s) and can work independently. We demonstrate an accessible sample-to-result workflow, including syringe filter-based bacteria separation and rapid single-cell AST on chip, which enables us to bypass the time-consuming bacteria isolation and pre-culture, speeding up the AST in ∼3 h from 2 days of conventional methods. Moreover, the bacterial concentration and AST with minimum inhibitory concentrations can be assessed simultaneously to provide comprehensive information on infections. With further development for multiple antibiotic conditions, the Dsc-AST assay could contribute to timely prescription of targeted drugs for better patient outcomes and mitigation of the threat of drug-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenshuai Wu
- Research Center for Analytical Instrumentation, Institute of Cyber-Systems and Control, State Key Laboratory of Industrial Control Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Gaozhe Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 102401, China
| | - Yuanjie Suo
- Research Center for Analytical Instrumentation, Institute of Cyber-Systems and Control, State Key Laboratory of Industrial Control Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Boran Zhang
- Department of Hydraulic Engineering, College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Wei Jin
- Research Center for Analytical Instrumentation, Institute of Cyber-Systems and Control, State Key Laboratory of Industrial Control Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
- Huzhou Institute of Zhejiang University, Huzhou 313002, China
| | - Yinghua Yu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Ying Mu
- Research Center for Analytical Instrumentation, Institute of Cyber-Systems and Control, State Key Laboratory of Industrial Control Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
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14
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Liu J, Lyu X, Zhou Z, Yang L, Zeng J, Yang Y, Zhao Z, Chen R, Tong X, Li J, Liu H, Zou Y. Multifunctional Droplets Formed by Interfacially Self-Assembled Fluorinated Magnetic Nanoparticles for Biocompatible Single Cell Culture and Magnet-Driven Manipulation. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:17324-17334. [PMID: 36962257 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c23003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The ability to encapsulate and manipulate droplets with a picoliter volume of samples and reagents shows great potential for practical applications in chemistry, biology, and materials science. Magnetic control is a promising approach for droplet manipulation due to its ability for wireless control and its ease of implementation. However, it is challenged by the poor biocompatibility of magnetic materials in aqueous droplets. Moreover, current droplet technology is problematic because of the molecule leakage between droplets. In the paper, we propose multifunctional droplets with the surface coated by a layer of fluorinated magnetic nanoparticles for magnetically actuated droplet manipulation. Multifunctional droplets show excellent biocompatibility for cell culture, nonleakage of molecules, and high response to a magnetic field. We developed a strategy of coating the F-MNP@SiO2 on the outer surface of droplets instead of adding magnetic material into droplets to enable droplets with a highly magnetic response. The encapsulated bacteria and cells in droplets did not need to directly contact with the magnetic materials at the outer surface, showing high biocompatibility with living cells. These droplets can be precisely manipulated based on magnet distance, the time duration of the magnetic field, the droplet size, and the MNP composition, which well match with theoretical analysis. The precise magnetically actuated droplet manipulation shows great potential for accurate and sensitive droplet-based bioassays like single cell analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahe Liu
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics (Ministry of Education), College of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Xiaoyan Lyu
- Department of Dermatology, Laboratory of Dermatology, Clinical Institute of Inflammation and Immunology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ziwei Zhou
- Central Laboratory of Yongchuan Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 402160, China
| | - Lin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics (Ministry of Education), College of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jie Zeng
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yao Yang
- Department of Dermatology, Laboratory of Dermatology, Clinical Institute of Inflammation and Immunology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Zhenghuan Zhao
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Rui Chen
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics (Ministry of Education), College of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Xin Tong
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics (Ministry of Education), College of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jiaqi Li
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics (Ministry of Education), College of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Hailan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics (Ministry of Education), College of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yuan Zou
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics (Ministry of Education), College of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
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15
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Spencer D, Li Y, Zhu Y, Sutton JM, Morgan H. Electrical Broth Micro-Dilution for Rapid Antibiotic Resistance Testing. ACS Sens 2023; 8:1101-1108. [PMID: 36820613 PMCID: PMC10043929 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.2c02166] [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: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Rapid tests to assess the susceptibility of bacteria to antibiotics are required to inform antibiotic stewardship. We have developed a novel test, which measures changes in the impedance of a 100 nanoliter volume of bacterial suspension to determine an "electrical" minimum inhibitory concentration (eMIC). Two representative strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus were tested against a panel of frontline antibiotics with different modes of action (ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, colistin and imipenem, gentamicin, and ceftazidime). The eMIC measured at 1 h correlated strongly with a standard 24 h microbroth dilution MIC for all combinations of antibiotics and bacteria, allowing strains to be correctly assigned as sensitive or resistant measured in a fraction of the time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Spencer
- School of Electronics and Computer Science, and Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Hants, Southampton SO17 1BJ, U.K
| | - Yuetao Li
- School of Electronics and Computer Science, and Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Hants, Southampton SO17 1BJ, U.K
| | - Yiling Zhu
- Technology Development Group, Research and Evaluation, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Porton, Salisbury SP4 0JG, U.K
| | - J Mark Sutton
- Technology Development Group, Research and Evaluation, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Porton, Salisbury SP4 0JG, U.K
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, U.K
| | - Hywel Morgan
- School of Electronics and Computer Science, and Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Hants, Southampton SO17 1BJ, U.K
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16
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Review on Bortezomib Resistance in Multiple Myeloma and Potential Role of Emerging Technologies. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16010111. [PMID: 36678608 PMCID: PMC9864669 DOI: 10.3390/ph16010111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma is a hematological cancer type. For its treatment, Bortezomib has been widely used. However, drug resistance to this effective chemotherapeutic has been developed for various reasons. 2D cell cultures and animal models have failed to understand the MM disease and Bortezomib resistance. It is therefore essential to utilize new technologies to reveal a complete molecular profile of the disease. In this review, we in-depth examined the possible molecular mechanisms that cause Bortezomib resistance and specifically addressed MM and Bortezomib resistance. Moreover, we also included the use of nanoparticles, 3D culture methods, microfluidics, and organ-on-chip devices in multiple myeloma. We also discussed whether the emerging technology offers the necessary tools to understand and prevent Bortezomib resistance in multiple myeloma. Despite the ongoing research activities on MM, the related studies cannot provide a complete summary of MM. Nanoparticle and 3D culturing have been frequently used to understand MM disease and Bortezomib resistance. However, the number of microfluidic devices for this application is insufficient. By combining siRNA/miRNA technologies with microfluidic devices, a complete molecular genetic profile of MM disease could be revealed. Microfluidic chips should be used clinically in personal therapy and point-of-care applications. At least with Bortezomib microneedles, it could be ensured that MM patients can go through the treatment process more painlessly. This way, MM can be switched to the curable cancer type list, and Bortezomib can be targeted for its treatment with fewer side effects.
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17
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Chen L, Zhang C, Yadav V, Wong A, Senapati S, Chang HC. A home-made pipette droplet microfluidics rapid prototyping and training kit for digital PCR, microorganism/cell encapsulation and controlled microgel synthesis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:184. [PMID: 36604528 PMCID: PMC9813469 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27470-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Droplet microfluidics offers a platform from which new digital molecular assay, disease screening, wound healing and material synthesis technologies have been proposed. However, the current commercial droplet generation, assembly and imaging technologies are too expensive and rigid to permit rapid and broad-range tuning of droplet features/cargoes. This rapid prototyping bottleneck has limited further expansion of its application. Herein, an inexpensive home-made pipette droplet microfluidics kit is introduced. This kit includes elliptical pipette tips that can be fabricated with a simple DIY (Do-It-Yourself) tool, a unique tape-based or 3D printed shallow-center imaging chip that allows rapid monolayer droplet assembly/immobilization and imaging with a smart-phone camera or miniature microscope. The droplets are generated by manual or automatic pipetting without expensive and lab-bound microfluidic pumps. The droplet size and fluid viscosity/surface tension can be varied significantly because of our particular droplet generation, assembly and imaging designs. The versatility of this rapid prototyping kit is demonstrated with three representative applications that can benefit from a droplet microfluidic platform: (1) Droplets as microreactors for PCR reaction with reverse transcription to detect and quantify target RNAs. (2) Droplets as microcompartments for spirulina culturing and the optical color/turbidity changes in droplets with spirulina confirm successful photosynthetic culturing. (3) Droplets as templates/molds for controlled synthesis of gold-capped polyacrylamide/gold composite Janus microgels. The easily fabricated and user-friendly portable kit is hence ideally suited for design, training and educational labs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liao Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Chenguang Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Vivek Yadav
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Angela Wong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Satyajyoti Senapati
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Hsueh-Chia Chang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
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18
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Li B, Ma X, Cheng J, Tian T, Guo J, Wang Y, Pang L. Droplets microfluidics platform-A tool for single cell research. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1121870. [PMID: 37152651 PMCID: PMC10154550 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1121870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells are the most basic structural and functional units of living organisms. Studies of cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and cell-cell interactions can help scientists understand the mysteries of living systems. However, there is considerable heterogeneity among cells. Great differences between individuals can be found even within the same cell cluster. Cell heterogeneity can only be clearly expressed and distinguished at the level of single cells. The development of droplet microfluidics technology opens up a new chapter for single-cell analysis. Microfluidic chips can produce many nanoscale monodisperse droplets, which can be used as small isolated micro-laboratories for various high-throughput, precise single-cell analyses. Moreover, gel droplets with good biocompatibility can be used in single-cell cultures and coupled with biomolecules for various downstream analyses of cellular metabolites. The droplets are also maneuverable; through physical and chemical forces, droplets can be divided, fused, and sorted to realize single-cell screening and other related studies. This review describes the channel design, droplet generation, and control technology of droplet microfluidics and gives a detailed overview of the application of droplet microfluidics in single-cell culture, single-cell screening, single-cell detection, and other aspects. Moreover, we provide a recent review of the application of droplet microfluidics in tumor single-cell immunoassays, describe in detail the advantages of microfluidics in tumor research, and predict the development of droplet microfluidics at the single-cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bixuan Li
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, Xi’an, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xi Ma
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, Xi’an, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jianghong Cheng
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, Xi’an, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Tian Tian
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, Xi’an, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jiao Guo
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, Xi’an, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, Xi’an, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Yang Wang,
| | - Long Pang
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, Xi’an, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
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19
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Warr CA, Crawford NG, Nordin GP, Pitt WG. Surface Modification of 3D Printed Microfluidic Devices for Controlled Wetting in Two-Phase Flow. MICROMACHINES 2022; 14:6. [PMID: 36677067 PMCID: PMC9866927 DOI: 10.3390/mi14010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic devices (MFDs) printed in 3-D geometry using digital light projection to polymerize monomers often have surfaces that are not as hydrophobic as MFDs made from polydimethylsiloxane. Droplet microfluidics in these types of devices are subject to droplet adhesion and aqueous spreading on less hydrophobic MFD surfaces. We have developed a post-processing technique using hydrophobic monomers that renders the surfaces of these devices much more hydrophobic. The technique is fast and easy, and involves flowing monomer without initiator into the channels and then exposing the entire device to UV light that generates radicals from the initiator molecules remaining in the original 3-D polymerization. After treatment the channels can be cleared and the surface is more hydrophobic, as evidenced by higher contact angles with aqueous droplets. We hypothesize that radicals generated near the previously printed surfaces initiate polymerization of the hydrophobic monomers on the surfaces without bulk polymerization extending into the channels. The most hydrophobic surfaces were produced by treatment with an alkyl acrylate and a fluorinated acrylate. This technique could be used for surface treatment with other types of monomers to impart unique characteristics to channels in MFDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandler A. Warr
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Nicole G. Crawford
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Gregory P. Nordin
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - William G. Pitt
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
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20
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Wu L, Guo Z, Liu W. Surface behaviors of droplet manipulation in microfluidics devices. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 308:102770. [PMID: 36113310 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2022.102770] [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: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the rapid development of microfluidic technology has caused a revolutionary impact in the fields of chemistry, medicine, and life sciences. Also, droplet control is one of the most important technologies in the field of microfluidics. In order to achieve different degrees of droplet transport, the dynamic balance of the competing processes of droplet driving force and fluid resistance should be controlled to achieve good selectivity of droplet transport. Here, we focus on the principles of droplet transport in microfluidic devices, including the driving forces for droplet transport in fluids and the effects of transport properties on droplet transport. After that, the effects of external fields on the directional transport of droplets and the advantages and disadvantages of each external field in droplet transport are discussed in detail. Finally, the applications and challenges of droplet microfluidics in chemical, biomedical, and mechanical systems are comprehensively introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linshan Wu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiguang Guo
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Weimin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
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21
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Talebjedi B, Abouei Mehrizi A, Talebjedi B, Mohseni SS, Tasnim N, Hoorfar M. Machine Learning-Aided Microdroplets Breakup Characteristic Prediction in Flow-Focusing Microdevices by Incorporating Variations of Cross-Flow Tilt Angles. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:10465-10477. [PMID: 35973231 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c01255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Controlling droplet breakup characteristics such as size, frequency, regime, and droplet quality within flow-focusing microfluidic devices is critical for different biomedical applications of droplet microfluidics such as drug delivery, biosensing, and nanomaterial preparation. The development of a prediction platform capable of forecasting droplet breakup characteristics can significantly improve the iterative design and fabrication processes required for achieving desired performance. The present study aims to develop a multipurpose platform capable of predicting the working conditions of user-specific droplet size and frequency and reporting the quality of the generated droplets, regime, and hydrodynamical breakup characteristics in flow-focusing microdevices with different cross-junction tilt angles. Four different neural network-based prediction platforms were compared to accurately estimate capsule size, generation rate, uniformity, and circle metric. The trained capsule size and frequency networks were optimized using the heuristic optimization approach for establishing the Pareto optimal solution plot. To investigate the transition of the droplet generation regime (i.e., squeezing, dripping, and jetting), two different classification models (LDA and MLP) were developed and compared in terms of their prediction accuracy. The MLP model outperformed the LDA model with a cross-validation measure evaluated as 97.85%, demonstrating that the droplet quality and regime prediction models can provide an engineering judgment for the decision maker to choose between the suggested solutions on the Pareto front. The study followed a comprehensive hydrodynamical analysis of the junction angle effect on the dispersed thread formation, pressure, and velocity domains in the orifice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahram Talebjedi
- School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia V1V 1V7, Canada
- Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran 1439957131, Iran
| | - Ali Abouei Mehrizi
- Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran 1439957131, Iran
| | - Behnam Talebjedi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo 02150, Finland
| | - Seyed Sepehr Mohseni
- Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran 1439957131, Iran
| | - Nishat Tasnim
- School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia V1V 1V7, Canada
- Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Mina Hoorfar
- School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia V1V 1V7, Canada
- Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 2Y2, Canada
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22
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Droplet-based methods for tackling antimicrobial resistance. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2022; 76:102755. [PMID: 35841864 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Application of droplet-based methods enables (i) faster detection, (ii) increased sensitivity, (iii) characterization of the level of heterogeneity in response to antibiotics by bacterial populations, and (iv) expanded screening of the effectiveness of antibiotic combinations. Hereby, we discuss the key steps and parameters of droplet-based experiments to investigate antimicrobial resistance. We also review recent findings accomplished with these methods and highlight their advantages and capacity to yield new insights into the problem of antimicrobial resistance.
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23
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Henkel T, Mayer G, Hampl J, Cao J, Ehrhardt L, Schober A, Groß GA. From Microtiter Plates to Droplets—There and Back Again. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:mi13071022. [PMID: 35888839 PMCID: PMC9316479 DOI: 10.3390/mi13071022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Droplet-based microfluidic screening techniques can benefit from interfacing established microtiter plate-based screening and sample management workflows. Interfacing tools are required both for loading preconfigured microtiter-plate (MTP)-based sample collections into droplets and for dispensing the used droplets samples back into MTPs for subsequent storage or further processing. Here, we present a collection of Digital Microfluidic Pipetting Tips (DMPTs) with integrated facilities for droplet generation and manipulation together with a robotic system for its operation. This combination serves as a bidirectional sampling interface for sample transfer from wells into droplets (w2d) and vice versa droplets into wells (d2w). The DMPT were designed to fit into 96-deep-well MTPs and prepared from glass by means of microsystems technology. The aspirated samples are converted into the channel-confined droplets’ sequences separated by an immiscible carrier medium. To comply with the demands of dose-response assays, up to three additional assay compound solutions can be added to the sample droplets. To enable different procedural assay protocols, four different DMPT variants were made. In this way, droplet series with gradually changing composition can be generated for, e.g., 2D screening purposes. The developed DMPT and their common fluidic connector are described here. To handle the opposite transfer d2w, a robotic transfer system was set up and is described briefly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Henkel
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Leibniz-IPHT, Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, 07745 Jena, Germany; (T.H.); (G.M.)
| | - Günter Mayer
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Leibniz-IPHT, Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, 07745 Jena, Germany; (T.H.); (G.M.)
| | - Jörg Hampl
- Department of Nano-Biosystem Technology, Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Technical University Ilmenau, Prof.-Schmidt-Str. 26, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany; (J.H.); (A.S.)
| | - Jialan Cao
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Microreaction Technologies, Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Technical University Ilmenau, Prof.-Schmidt-Str. 26, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany; (J.C.); (L.E.)
| | - Linda Ehrhardt
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Microreaction Technologies, Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Technical University Ilmenau, Prof.-Schmidt-Str. 26, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany; (J.C.); (L.E.)
| | - Andreas Schober
- Department of Nano-Biosystem Technology, Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Technical University Ilmenau, Prof.-Schmidt-Str. 26, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany; (J.H.); (A.S.)
| | - Gregor Alexander Groß
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Microreaction Technologies, Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Technical University Ilmenau, Prof.-Schmidt-Str. 26, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany; (J.C.); (L.E.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-3677-69-3716
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