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Vafaie A, Raveshi MR, Devendran C, Nosrati R, Neild A. Making immotile sperm motile using high-frequency ultrasound. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk2864. [PMID: 38354240 PMCID: PMC10866541 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk2864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Sperm motility is a natural selection with a crucial role in both natural and assisted reproduction. Common methods for increasing sperm motility are by using chemicals that cause embryotoxicity, and the multistep washing requirements of these methods lead to sperm DNA damage. We propose a rapid and noninvasive mechanotherapy approach for increasing the motility of human sperm cells by using ultrasound operating at 800 mW and 40 MHz. Single-cell analysis of sperm cells, facilitated by droplet microfluidics, shows that exposure to ultrasound leads to up to 266% boost to motility parameters of relatively immotile sperm, and as a result, 72% of these immotile sperm are graded as progressive after exposure, with a swimming velocity greater than 5 micrometer per second. These promising results offer a rapid and noninvasive clinical method for improving the motility of sperm cells in the most challenging assisted reproduction cases to replace intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with less invasive treatments and to improve assisted reproduction outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Vafaie
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Mohammad Reza Raveshi
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Citsabehsan Devendran
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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Richard C, Devendran C, Ashtiani D, Cadarso VJ, Neild A. Acoustofluidic cell micro-dispenser for single cell trajectory control. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:3533-3544. [PMID: 35979941 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00216g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The precise manipulation of individual cells is a key capability for the study of single cell physiological characteristics or responses to stimuli. Currently, only large cell populations can be transferred with certainty using expensive and laborious flow cytometry platforms. However, when approaching small populations of cells, this task becomes increasingly challenging. Here, we report an effective acoustofluidic micro-dispenser, utilising surface acoustic waves (SAWs), with the ability to trap and release cells on demand, which when combined with an external valve can guide the trajectory of individual cells. We demonstrate single cell trap and release with a single cell trapping effectiveness of 74%, enabling the capability of dispensing a highly controlled amount of cells without any harmful effects. This device has the potential to be easily integrated into a wide range of analytical platforms for applications such as single cell fluorescent imaging and single cell proteomic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Richard
- Laboratory for Micro Systems, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
- Applied Micro- and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Citsabehsan Devendran
- Laboratory for Micro Systems, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
| | - Dariush Ashtiani
- Laboratory for Micro Systems, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
| | - Victor J Cadarso
- Applied Micro- and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- Centre to Impact Antimicrobial Resistance, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Adrian Neild
- Laboratory for Micro Systems, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
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Thalhofer T, Keck M, Kibler S, Hayden O. Capacitive Sensor and Alternating Drive Mixing for Microfluidic Applications Using Micro Diaphragm Pumps. SENSORS 2022; 22:s22031273. [PMID: 35162018 PMCID: PMC8839760 DOI: 10.3390/s22031273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic systems are of paramount importance in various fields such as medicine, biology, and pharmacy. Despite the plethora of methods, accurate dosing and mixing of small doses of liquid reagents remain challenges for microfluidics. In this paper, we present a microfluidic device that uses two micro pumps and an alternating drive pattern to fill a microchannel. With a capacitive sensor system, we monitored the fluid process and controlled the micro pumps. In a first experiment, the system was set up to generate a 1:1 mixture between two fluids while using a range of fluid packet sizes from 0.25 to 2 µL and pumping frequencies from 50 to 100 Hz. In this parameter range, a dosing accuracy of 50.3 ± 0.9% was reached, validated by a gravimetric measurement. Other biased mixing ratios were tested as well and showed a deviation of 0.3 ± 0.3% from the targeted mixing ratio. In a second experiment, Trypan blue was used to study the mixing behavior of the system. Within one to two dosed packet sets, the two reagents were reliably mixed. The results are encouraging for future use of micro pumps and capacitive sensing in demanding microfluidic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Thalhofer
- Fraunhofer EMFT Research Institution for Microsystems and Solid State Technologies, Hansastrasse 27d, 80686 Munich, Germany; (M.K.); (S.K.)
- Heinz-Nixdorf-Chair of Biomedical Electronics, TranslaTUM, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, TU Munich, Einsteinstrasse 25, 81675 Munich, Germany;
- Correspondence:
| | - Mauro Keck
- Fraunhofer EMFT Research Institution for Microsystems and Solid State Technologies, Hansastrasse 27d, 80686 Munich, Germany; (M.K.); (S.K.)
- Heinz-Nixdorf-Chair of Biomedical Electronics, TranslaTUM, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, TU Munich, Einsteinstrasse 25, 81675 Munich, Germany;
| | - Sebastian Kibler
- Fraunhofer EMFT Research Institution for Microsystems and Solid State Technologies, Hansastrasse 27d, 80686 Munich, Germany; (M.K.); (S.K.)
| | - Oliver Hayden
- Heinz-Nixdorf-Chair of Biomedical Electronics, TranslaTUM, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, TU Munich, Einsteinstrasse 25, 81675 Munich, Germany;
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Jeerapan I, Moonla C, Thavarungkul P, Kanatharana P. Lab on a body for biomedical electrochemical sensing applications: The next generation of microfluidic devices. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2022; 187:249-279. [PMID: 35094777 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2021.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
This chapter highlights applications of microfluidic devices toward on-body biosensors. The emerging application of microfluidics to on-body bioanalysis is a new strategy to establish systems for the continuous, real-time, and on-site determination of informative markers present in biofluids, such as sweat, interstitial fluid, blood, saliva, and tear. Electrochemical sensors are attractive to integrate with such microfluidics due to the possibility to be miniaturized. Moreover, on-body microfluidics coupled with bioelectronics enable smart integration with modern information and communication technology. This chapter discusses requirements and several challenges when developing on-body microfluidics such as difficulties in manipulating small sample volumes while maintaining mechanical flexibility, power-consumption efficiency, and simplicity of total automated systems. We describe key components, e.g., microchannels, microvalves, and electrochemical detectors, used in microfluidics. We also introduce representatives of advanced lab-on-a-body microfluidics combined with electrochemical sensors for biomedical applications. The chapter ends with a discussion of the potential trends of research in this field and opportunities. On-body microfluidics as modern total analysis devices will continue to bring several fascinating opportunities to the field of biomedical and translational research applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itthipon Jeerapan
- Division of Physical Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand; Center of Excellence for Trace Analysis and Biosensor, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand.
| | - Chochanon Moonla
- School of Chemistry, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
| | - Panote Thavarungkul
- Division of Physical Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand; Center of Excellence for Trace Analysis and Biosensor, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Proespichaya Kanatharana
- Division of Physical Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand; Center of Excellence for Trace Analysis and Biosensor, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
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Vargas-Ordaz EJ, Gorelick S, York HM, Liu B, Halls ML, Arumugam S, Neild A, de Marco A, Cadarso VJ. Three-dimensional imaging on a chip using optofluidics light-sheet fluorescence microscopy. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:2945-2954. [PMID: 34124739 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc00098e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Volumetric, sub-micron to micron level resolution imaging is necessary to assay phenotypes or characteristics at the sub-cellular/organelle scale. However, three-dimensional fluorescence imaging of cells is typically low throughput or compromises on the achievable resolution in space and time. Here, we capitalise on the flow control capabilities of microfluidics and combine it with microoptics to integrate light-sheet based imaging directly into a microfluidic chip. Our optofluidic system flows suspended cells through a sub-micrometer thick light-sheet formed using micro-optical components that are cast directly in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). This design ensures accurate alignment, drift-free operation, and easy integration with conventional microfluidics, while providing sufficient spatial resolution, optical sectioning and volumetric data acquisition. We demonstrate imaging rates of 120 ms per cell at sub-μm resolution, that allow extraction of complex cellular phenotypes, exemplified by imaging of cell clusters, receptor distribution, and the analysis of endosomal size changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick J Vargas-Ordaz
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia. and Centre to Impact Antimicrobial Resistance - Sustainable Solutions, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sergey Gorelick
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, 3800 Clayton, Victoria, Australia. and ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, 3800 Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Harrison M York
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, 3800 Clayton, Victoria, Australia and European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Australia, Monash University, 3800 Clayton, Victoria, Australia and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, 3800 Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bonan Liu
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michelle L Halls
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia
| | - Senthil Arumugam
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, 3800 Clayton, Victoria, Australia and European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Australia, Monash University, 3800 Clayton, Victoria, Australia and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, 3800 Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Adrian Neild
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
| | - Alex de Marco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, 3800 Clayton, Victoria, Australia. and ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, 3800 Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Victor J Cadarso
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia. and Centre to Impact Antimicrobial Resistance - Sustainable Solutions, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Victoria, Australia and The Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node - Australian National Fabrication Facility, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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