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Xu L, Wu C, Lay Yap P, Losic D, Zhu J, Yang Y, Qiao S, Ma L, Zhang Y, Wang H. Recent advances of silk fibroin materials: From molecular modification and matrix enhancement to possible encapsulation-related functional food applications. Food Chem 2024; 438:137964. [PMID: 37976879 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.137964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Silk fibroin materials are emergingly explored for food applications due to their inherent properties including safe oral consumption, biocompatibility, gelatinization, antioxidant performance, and mechanical properties. However, silk fibroin possesses drawbacks like brittleness owing to its inherent specific composition and structure, which limit their applications in this field. This review discusses current progress about molecular modification methods on silk fibroin such as extraction, blending, self-assembly, enzymatic catalysis, etc., to address these limitations and improve their physical/chemical properties. It also summarizes matrix enhancement strategies including freeze drying, spray drying, electrospinning/electrospraying, microfluidic spinning/wheel spinning, desolvation and supercritical fluid, to generate nano-, submicron-, micron-, or bulk-scale materials. It finally highlights the food applications of silk fibroin materials, including nutraceutical improvement, emulsions, enzyme immobilization and 3D/4D printing. This review also provides insights on potential opportunities (like safe modification, toxicity risk evaluation, and digestion conditions) and possibilities (like digital additive manufacturing) in functional food industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Xu
- College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Specialty Food Co-Built by Sichuan and Chongqing, Chongqing 400715, PR China; Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Citrus Fruits, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Southwest University, Chongqing 400712, PR China; Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, PR China; Key Laboratory of Condiment Supervision Technology for State Market Regulation, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Chaoyang Wu
- College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Pei Lay Yap
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; ARC Hub for Graphene Enabled Industry Transformation, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Dusan Losic
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; ARC Hub for Graphene Enabled Industry Transformation, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Juncheng Zhu
- College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Yuxin Yang
- College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Shihao Qiao
- College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Liang Ma
- College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Yuhao Zhang
- College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Specialty Food Co-Built by Sichuan and Chongqing, Chongqing 400715, PR China; Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Citrus Fruits, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Southwest University, Chongqing 400712, PR China; Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, PR China; Key Laboratory of Condiment Supervision Technology for State Market Regulation, Chongqing 400715, PR China.
| | - Hongxia Wang
- College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Specialty Food Co-Built by Sichuan and Chongqing, Chongqing 400715, PR China; Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Citrus Fruits, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Southwest University, Chongqing 400712, PR China; Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, PR China; Key Laboratory of Condiment Supervision Technology for State Market Regulation, Chongqing 400715, PR China.
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2
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Zhang Q, Toprakcioglu Z, Jayaram AK, Guo G, Wang X, Knowles TPJ. Formation of Protein Nanoparticles in Microdroplet Flow Reactors. ACS NANO 2023; 17:11335-11344. [PMID: 37306477 PMCID: PMC10311583 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c00107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticles are increasingly being used for biological applications, such as drug delivery and gene transfection. Different biological and bioinspired building blocks have been used for generating such particles, including lipids and synthetic polymers. Proteins are an attractive class of material for such applications due to their excellent biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and self-assembly characteristics. Stable, controllable, and homogeneous formation of protein nanoparticles, which is key to successfully delivering cargo intracellularly, has been challenging to achieve using conventional methods. In order to address this issue, we employed droplet microfluidics and utilized the characteristic of rapid and continuous mixing within microdroplets in order to produce highly monodisperse protein nanoparticles. We exploit the naturally occurring vortex flows within microdroplets to prevent nanoparticle aggregation following nucleation, resulting in systematic control over the particle size and monodispersity. Through combination of simulation and experiment, we find that the internal vortex velocity within microdroplets determines the uniformity of the protein nanoparticles, and by varying parameters such as protein concentration and flow rates, we are able to finely tune nanoparticle dimensional properties. Finally, we show that our nanoparticles are highly biocompatible with HEK-293 cells, and through confocal microscopy, we determine that the nanoparticles fully enter into the cell with almost all cells containing them. Due to the high throughput of the method of production and the level of control afforded, we believe that the approach described in this study for generating monodisperse protein-based nanoparticles has the potential for intracellular drug delivery or for gene transfection in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K.
- Center
of Excellence for Environmental Safety and Biological Effects, Beijing
Key Laboratory for Green Catalysis and Separation, Department of Chemistry, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zenon Toprakcioglu
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K.
| | - Akhila K. Jayaram
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K.
- Cavendish
Laboratory, Department of Physics, University
of Cambridge, J J Thomson
Avenue, Cambridge CB3 OHE, U.K.
| | - Guangsheng Guo
- Center
of Excellence for Environmental Safety and Biological Effects, Beijing
Key Laboratory for Green Catalysis and Separation, Department of Chemistry, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiayan Wang
- Center
of Excellence for Environmental Safety and Biological Effects, Beijing
Key Laboratory for Green Catalysis and Separation, Department of Chemistry, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tuomas P. J. Knowles
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K.
- Cavendish
Laboratory, Department of Physics, University
of Cambridge, J J Thomson
Avenue, Cambridge CB3 OHE, U.K.
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3
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Croft AS, Spessot E, Bhattacharjee P, Yang Y, Motta A, Wöltje M, Gantenbein B. Biomedical applications of silk and its role for intervertebral disc repair. JOR Spine 2022; 5:e1225. [PMID: 36601376 PMCID: PMC9799090 DOI: 10.1002/jsp2.1225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IDD) is the main contributor to chronic low back pain. To date, the present therapies mainly focus on treating the symptoms caused by IDD rather than addressing the problem itself. For this reason, researchers have searched for a suitable biomaterial to repair and/or regenerate the IVD. A promising candidate to fill this gap is silk, which has already been used as a biomaterial for many years. Therefore, this review aims first to elaborate on the different origins from which silk is harvested, the individual composition, and the characteristics of each silk type. Another goal is to enlighten why silk is so suitable as a biomaterial, discuss its functionalization, and how it could be used for tissue engineering purposes. The second part of this review aims to provide an overview of preclinical studies using silk-based biomaterials to repair the inner region of the IVD, the nucleus pulposus (NP), and the IVD's outer area, the annulus fibrosus (AF). Since the NP and the AF differ fundamentally in their structure, different therapeutic approaches are required. Consequently, silk-containing hydrogels have been used mainly to repair the NP, and silk-based scaffolds have been used for the AF. Although most preclinical studies have shown promising results in IVD-related repair and regeneration, their clinical transition is yet to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas S. Croft
- Tissue Engineering for Orthopaedic & Mechanobiology, Bone & Joint Program, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), Medical FacultyUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Eugenia Spessot
- Department of Industrial Engineering and BIOtech Research CenterUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
- European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine UnitTrentoItaly
| | - Promita Bhattacharjee
- Department of Chemical SciencesSSPC the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Pharmaceuticals, Bernal Institute, University of LimerickLimerickIreland
| | - Yuejiao Yang
- Department of Industrial Engineering and BIOtech Research CenterUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
- European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine UnitTrentoItaly
- INSTM, Trento Research Unit, Interuniversity Consortium for Science and Technology of MaterialsTrentoItaly
| | - Antonella Motta
- Department of Industrial Engineering and BIOtech Research CenterUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
- European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine UnitTrentoItaly
- INSTM, Trento Research Unit, Interuniversity Consortium for Science and Technology of MaterialsTrentoItaly
| | - Michael Wöltje
- Institute of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material TechnologyDresdenGermany
| | - Benjamin Gantenbein
- Tissue Engineering for Orthopaedic & Mechanobiology, Bone & Joint Program, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), Medical FacultyUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology, InselspitalBern University Hospital, Medical Faculty, University of BernBernSwitzerland
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4
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Zhu H, Roode LW, Parry AJ, Erkamp NA, Rodriguez-Garcia M, Narita M, Shen Y, Ou Y, Toprakcioglu Z, Narita M, Knowles TP. Core–Shell Spheroid‐Laden Microgels Crosslinked under Biocompatible Conditions for Probing Cancer‐Stromal Communication. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202200138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hongjia Zhu
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Lianne W.Y. Roode
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Aled J. Parry
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute University of Cambridge Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way Cambridge CB2 0RE UK
| | - Nadia A. Erkamp
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Marc Rodriguez-Garcia
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Masako Narita
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute University of Cambridge Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way Cambridge CB2 0RE UK
| | - Yi Shen
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Yangteng Ou
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Zenon Toprakcioglu
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Masashi Narita
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute University of Cambridge Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way Cambridge CB2 0RE UK
- Tokyo Tech World Research Hub Initiative (WRHI) Institute of Innovative Research Tokyo Institute of Technology Yokohama, Tokyo 152-8550 Japan
| | - Tuomas P.J. Knowles
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
- Department of Physics University of Cambridge JJ Thomson Avenue Cambridge CB3 0HE UK
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5
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Matthew SAL, Rezwan R, Kaewchuchuen J, Perrie Y, Seib FP. Mixing and flow-induced nanoprecipitation for morphology control of silk fibroin self-assembly. RSC Adv 2022; 12:7357-7373. [PMID: 35424679 PMCID: PMC8982335 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra07764c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuning silk fibroin nanoparticle morphology using nanoprecipitation for bottom-up manufacture is an unexplored field that has the potential to improve particle performance characteristics. The aim of this work was to use both semi-batch bulk mixing and micro-mixing to modulate silk nanoparticle morphology by controlling the supersaturation and shear rate during nanoprecipitation. At flow rates where the shear rate was below the critical shear rate for silk, increasing the concentration of silk in both bulk and micro-mixing processes resulted in particle populations of increased sphericity, lower size, and lower polydispersity index. At high flow rates, where the critical shear rate was exceeded, the increased supersaturation with increasing concentration was counteracted by increased rates of shear-induced assembly. The morphology could be tuned from rod-like to spherical assemblies by increasing supersaturation of the high-shear micro-mixing process, thereby supporting a role for fast mixing in the production of narrow-polydispersity silk nanoparticles. This work provides new insight into the effects of shear during nanoprecipitation and provides a framework for scalable manufacture of spherical and rod-like silk nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saphia A L Matthew
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde 161 Cathedral Street Glasgow G4 0RE UK +44 (0)141 548 2510
| | - Refaya Rezwan
- Department of Pharmacy, ASA University Bangladesh 23/3 Bir Uttam A. N. M. Nuruzzaman Sarak Dhaka 1207 Bangladesh
| | - Jirada Kaewchuchuen
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde 161 Cathedral Street Glasgow G4 0RE UK +44 (0)141 548 2510
- Faculty of Nursing, HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Science, Chulabhorn Royal Academy Bangkok Thailand
| | - Yvonne Perrie
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde 161 Cathedral Street Glasgow G4 0RE UK +44 (0)141 548 2510
| | - F Philipp Seib
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde 161 Cathedral Street Glasgow G4 0RE UK +44 (0)141 548 2510
- EPSRC Future Manufacturing Research Hub for Continuous Manufacturing and Advanced Crystallisation (CMAC), University of Strathclyde, Technology and Innovation Centre 99 George Street Glasgow G1 1RD UK
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6
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Mohajeri M, Eskandari M, Ghazali ZS, Ghazali HS. Cell encapsulation in alginate-based microgels using droplet microfluidics; a review on gelation methods and applications. Biomed Phys Eng Express 2022; 8. [PMID: 35073537 DOI: 10.1088/2057-1976/ac4e2d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Cell encapsulation within the microspheres using a semi-permeable polymer allows the two-way transfer of molecules such as oxygen, nutrients, and growth factors. The main advantages of cell encapsulation technology include controlling the problems involved in transplanting rejection in tissue engineering applications and reducing the long-term need for immunosuppressive drugs following organ transplantation to eliminate the side effects. Cell-laden microgels can also be used in 3D cell cultures, wound healing, and cancerous clusters for drug testing. Since cell encapsulation is used for different purposes, several techniques have been developed to encapsulate cells. Droplet-based microfluidics is one of the most valuable techniques in cell encapsulating. This study aimed to review the geometries and the mechanisms proposed in microfluidic systems to precisely control cell-laden microgels production with different biopolymers. We also focused on alginate gelation techniques due to their essential role in cell encapsulation applications. Finally, some applications of these microgels and researches will be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mohajeri
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Amirkabir University of Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering No. 350, Hafez Ave, Valiasr Square, Tehran, Iran, Tehran, 159163-4311, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
| | - Mahnaz Eskandari
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Amirkabir University of Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering No. 350, Hafez Ave, Valiasr Square, Tehran, Iran, Tehran, 159163-4311, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
| | - Zahra Sadat Ghazali
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Amirkabir University of Technology, No. 350, Hafez Ave, Valiasr Square, Tehran, Iran, Tehran, 159163-4311, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
| | - Hanieh Sadat Ghazali
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Tarbiat Modares University, Jalal Aleahmad-Tehran-Iran, Tehran, 14115-111, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
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7
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Toprakcioglu Z, Knowles TPJ. Sequential storage and release of microdroplets. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2021; 7:76. [PMID: 34631144 PMCID: PMC8481565 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-021-00303-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Droplet microfluidic methods have opened up the possibility of studying a plethora of phenomena ranging from biological to physical or chemical processes at ultra low volumes and high throughput. A key component of such approaches is the ability to trap droplets for observation, and many device architectures for achieving this objective have been developed. A challenge with such approaches is, however, recovering the droplets following their confinement for applications involving further analysis. Here, we present a device capable of generating, confining and releasing microdroplets in a sequential manner. Through a combination of experimental and computational simulations, we shed light on the key features required for successful droplet storage and retrieval. Moreover, we explore the effect of the flow rate of the continuous phase on droplet release, determining that a critical rate is needed to ensure complete droplet deformation through constrictions holding the droplets in place prior to release. Finally, we find that once released, droplets can be retrieved and collected off chip. The ability to generate, store and sequentially release droplets renders such a device particularly promising for future applications where reactions may not only be monitored on-chip, but droplets can also be retrieved for further analysis, facilitating new exploratory avenues in the fields of analytical chemistry and biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zenon Toprakcioglu
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW UK
| | - Tuomas P. J. Knowles
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW UK
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE UK
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8
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Shen Y, Levin A, Kamada A, Toprakcioglu Z, Rodriguez-Garcia M, Xu Y, Knowles TPJ. From Protein Building Blocks to Functional Materials. ACS NANO 2021; 15:5819-5837. [PMID: 33760579 PMCID: PMC8155333 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c08510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Proteins are the fundamental building blocks for high-performance materials in nature. Such materials fulfill structural roles, as in the case of silk and collagen, and can generate active structures including the cytoskeleton. Attention is increasingly turning to this versatile class of molecules for the synthesis of next-generation green functional materials for a range of applications. Protein nanofibrils are a fundamental supramolecular unit from which many macroscopic protein materials are formed. In this Review, we focus on the multiscale assembly of such protein nanofibrils formed from naturally occurring proteins into new supramolecular architectures and discuss how they can form the basis of material systems ranging from bulk gels, films, fibers, micro/nanogels, condensates, and active materials. We review current and emerging approaches to process and assemble these building blocks in a manner which is different to their natural evolutionarily selected role but allows the generation of tailored functionality, with a focus on microfluidic approaches. We finally discuss opportunities and challenges for this class of materials, including applications that can be involved in this material system which consists of fully natural, biocompatible, and biodegradable feedstocks yet has the potential to generate materials with performance and versatility rivalling that of the best synthetic polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Shen
- Centre
for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K.
- School
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Sydney, 2006 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Aviad Levin
- Centre
for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K.
| | - Ayaka Kamada
- Centre
for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K.
| | - Zenon Toprakcioglu
- Centre
for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K.
| | - Marc Rodriguez-Garcia
- Centre
for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K.
- Xampla, the BioInnovation Building, 25 Cambridge
Science Park Road, Cambridge CB4 0FW, U.K.
| | - Yufan Xu
- Centre
for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K.
| | - Tuomas P. J. Knowles
- Centre
for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K.
- Cavendish
Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K.
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9
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Toprakcioglu Z, Knowles TPJ. Shear-mediated sol-gel transition of regenerated silk allows the formation of Janus-like microgels. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6673. [PMID: 33758259 PMCID: PMC7988050 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85199-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Microcapsules and microgels consisting of macromolecular networks have received increasing attention due to their biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. Protein microgels and in particular silk-based microcapsules have desirable properties due to their biocompatibility and lack of toxicity. Typically such structures formed through emulsion templating are spherical in geometry due to interfacial tension. However, approaches to synthesis particles with more complex and non-spherical geometries are sought due to their packing properties and cargo release characteristics. Here, we describe a droplet-microfluidic strategy for generating asymmetric tubular-like microgels from reconstituted silk fibroin; a major component of native silk. It was determined using fluorescence microscopy, that the shear stress within the microchannel promotes surface protein aggregation, resulting in the asymmetric morphology of the microgels. Moreover, the structural transition that the protein undergoes was confirmed using FTIR. Crucially, the core of the microgels remains liquid, while the surface has fully aggregated into a fibrillar network. Additionally, we show that microgel morphology could be controlled by varying the dispersed to continuous phase flow rates, while it was determined that the radius of curvature of the asymmetric microgels is correlated to the wall shear stress. By comparing the surface fluorescence intensity of the microgels as a function of radius of curvature, the effect of the shear stress on the amount of aggregation could be quantified. Finally, the potential use of these asymmetric microgels as carriers of cargo molecules is showcased. As the core of the microgel remains liquid but the shell has gelled, this approach is highly suitable for the storage of bio-active cargo molecules such as antibodies, making such a delivery system attractive in the context of biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zenon Toprakcioglu
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK.
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10
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Czekalska MA, Jacobs AMJ, Toprakcioglu Z, Kong L, Baumann KN, Gang H, Zubaite G, Ye R, Mu B, Levin A, Huck WTS, Knowles TPJ. One-Step Generation of Multisomes from Lipid-Stabilized Double Emulsions. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:6739-6747. [PMID: 33522221 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c16019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Multisomes are multicompartmental structures formed by a lipid-stabilized network of aqueous droplets, which are contained by an outer oil phase. These biomimetic structures are emerging as a versatile platform for soft matter and synthetic biology applications. While several methods for producing multisomes have been described, including microfluidic techniques, approaches for generating biocompatible, monodisperse multisomes in a reproducible manner remain challenging to implement due to low throughput and complex device fabrication. Here, we report on a robust method for the dynamically controlled generation of multisomes with controllable sizes and high monodispersity from lipid-based double emulsions. The described microfluidic approach entails the use of three different phases forming a water/oil/water (W/O/W) double emulsion stabilized by lipid layers. We employ a gradient of glycerol concentration between the inner core and outer phase to drive the directed osmosis, allowing the swelling of lamellar lipid layers resulting in the formation of small aqueous daughter droplets at the interface of the inner aqueous core. By adding increasing concentrations of glycerol to the outer aqueous phase and subsequently varying the osmotic gradient, we show that key structural parameters, including the size of the internal droplets, can be specifically controlled. Finally, we show that this approach can be used to generate multisomes encapsulating small-molecule cargo, with potential applications in synthetic biology, drug delivery, and as carriers for active materials in the food and cosmetics industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena A Czekalska
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, Warsaw 01-224, Poland
| | - Anne M J Jacobs
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Zenon Toprakcioglu
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Lingling Kong
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, United Kingdom
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and Applied Chemistry Institute, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Kevin N Baumann
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Hongze Gang
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, United Kingdom
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and Applied Chemistry Institute, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Greta Zubaite
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ruqiang Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and Applied Chemistry Institute, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Bozhong Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and Applied Chemistry Institute, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Aviad Levin
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Wilhelm T S Huck
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, J. J. Thomson Avenue, CB2 0HE Cambridge, United Kingdom
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11
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Kartanas T, Levin A, Toprakcioglu Z, Scheidt T, Hakala TA, Charmet J, Knowles TPJ. Label-Free Protein Analysis Using Liquid Chromatography with Gravimetric Detection. Anal Chem 2021; 93:2848-2853. [PMID: 33507064 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c04149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The detection and analysis of proteins in a label-free manner under native solution conditions is an increasingly important objective in analytical bioscience platform development. Common approaches to detect native proteins in solution often require specific labels to enhance sensitivity. Dry mass sensing approaches, by contrast, using mechanical resonators, can operate in a label-free manner and offer attractive sensitivity. However, such approaches typically suffer from a lack of analyte selectivity as the interface between standard protein separation techniques and micro-resonator platforms is often constrained by qualitative mechanical sensor performance in the liquid phase. Here, we describe a strategy that overcomes this limitation by coupling liquid chromatography with a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) platform by using a microfluidic spray dryer. We explore a strategy which allows first to separate a protein mixture in a physiological buffer solution using size exclusion chromatography, permitting specific protein fractions to be selected, desalted, and subsequently spray-dried onto the QCM for absolute mass analysis. By establishing a continuous flow interface between the chromatography column and the spray device via a flow splitter, simultaneous protein mass detection and sample fractionation is achieved, with sensitivity down to a 100 μg/mL limit of detection. This approach for quantitative label-free protein mixture analysis offers the potential for detection of protein species under physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadas Kartanas
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Aviad Levin
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Zenon Toprakcioglu
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Tom Scheidt
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Tuuli A Hakala
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Jerome Charmet
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K.,WMG, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K.,Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FE, U.K
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12
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Fabozzi A, Della Sala F, di Gennaro M, Solimando N, Pagliuca M, Borzacchiello A. Polymer based nanoparticles for biomedical applications by microfluidic techniques: from design to biological evaluation. Polym Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1py01077h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The development of microfluidic technologies represents a new strategy to produce and test drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Fabozzi
- ALTERGON ITALIA S.r.l., Zona Industriale ASI, 83040 Morra De Sanctis, AV, Italy
| | - Francesca Della Sala
- Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council, IPCB-CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Mario di Gennaro
- Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council, IPCB-CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola Solimando
- ALTERGON ITALIA S.r.l., Zona Industriale ASI, 83040 Morra De Sanctis, AV, Italy
| | - Maurizio Pagliuca
- ALTERGON ITALIA S.r.l., Zona Industriale ASI, 83040 Morra De Sanctis, AV, Italy
| | - Assunta Borzacchiello
- Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council, IPCB-CNR, Naples, Italy
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13
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Hakala T, Bialas F, Toprakcioglu Z, Bräuer B, Baumann KN, Levin A, Bernardes GJL, Becker CFW, Knowles TPJ. Continuous Flow Reactors from Microfluidic Compartmentalization of Enzymes within Inorganic Microparticles. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:32951-32960. [PMID: 32589387 PMCID: PMC7383928 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c09226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Compartmentalization and selective transport of molecular species are key aspects of chemical transformations inside the cell. In an artificial setting, the immobilization of a wide range of enzymes onto surfaces is commonly used for controlling their functionality but such approaches can restrict their efficacy and expose them to degrading environmental conditions, thus reducing their activity. Here, we employ an approach based on droplet microfluidics to generate enzyme-containing microparticles that feature an inorganic silica shell that forms a semipermeable barrier. We show that this porous shell permits selective diffusion of the substrate and product while protecting the enzymes from degradation by proteinases and maintaining their functionality over multiple reaction cycles. We illustrate the power of this approach by synthesizing microparticles that can be employed to detect glucose levels through simultaneous encapsulation of two distinct enzymes that form a controlled reaction cascade. These results demonstrate a robust, accessible, and modular approach for the formation of microparticles containing active but protected enzymes for molecular sensing applications and potential novel diagnostic platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuuli
A. Hakala
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United
Kingdom
| | - Friedrich Bialas
- Institute
of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Street 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Zenon Toprakcioglu
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United
Kingdom
| | - Birgit Bräuer
- Institute
of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Street 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Kevin N. Baumann
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United
Kingdom
| | - Aviad Levin
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United
Kingdom
| | - Gonçalo J. L. Bernardes
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United
Kingdom
- Instituto
de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina
de Universidad de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Christian F. W. Becker
- Institute
of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Street 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Tuomas P. J. Knowles
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United
Kingdom
- Cavendish
Laboratory, University of Cambridge, J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
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14
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Toprakcioglu Z, Hakala TA, Levin A, Becker CFW, Bernandes GGL, Knowles TPJ. Multi-scale microporous silica microcapsules from gas-in water-in oil emulsions. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:3082-3087. [PMID: 32140697 DOI: 10.1039/c9sm02274k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Controlling the surface area, pore size and pore volume of microcapsules is crucial for modulating their activity in applications including catalytic reactions, delivery strategies or even cell culture assays, yet remains challenging to achieve using conventional bulk techniques. Here we describe a microfluidics-based approach for the formation of monodisperse silica-coated micron-scale porous capsules of controllable sizes. Our method involves the generation of gas-in water-in oil emulsions, and the subsequent rapid precipitation of silica which forms around the encapsulated gas bubbles resulting in hollow silica capsules with tunable pore sizes. We demonstrate that by varying the gas phase pressure, we can control both the diameter of the bubbles formed and the number of internal bubbles enclosed within the silica microcapsule. Moreover, we further demonstrate, using optical and electron microscopy, that these silica capsules remain stable under particle drying. Such a systematic manner of producing silica-coated microbubbles and porous microparticles thus represents an attractive class of biocompatible material for biomedical and pharmaceutical related applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zenon Toprakcioglu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
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15
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Schnaider L, Toprakcioglu Z, Ezra A, Liu X, Bychenko D, Levin A, Gazit E, Knowles TPJ. Biocompatible Hybrid Organic/Inorganic Microhydrogels Promote Bacterial Adherence and Eradication in Vitro and in Vivo. NANO LETTERS 2020; 20:1590-1597. [PMID: 32040332 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b04290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembling peptides and proteins have the potential to serve as multifunctional building blocks for the generation of versatile materials for a wide range of biomedical applications. In particular, supramolecular hydrogels comprised of self-assembled protein nanofibrils, have been used in contexts ranging from tissue engineering to drug delivery. Due to the rapid emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria, development of biomaterials with intrinsic antimicrobial properties has been continuously increasing. Here, we describe hybrid organic/inorganic nanofibrillar silk microgels decorated with silver nanoparticles that display potent antimicrobial activity in vitro and in vivo and are able to adhere bacterial cells to their surfaces while subsequently eradicating them, through a two-step mechanism of action. Importantly, in contrast to treatments involving conventional silver, these silk-silver microgels are nonhemolytic and noncytotoxic toward mammalian cell lines. Finally, we show that these hybrid microgels display substantial efficacy as topical antimicrobial agents in a murine model of surgical site infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee Schnaider
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Zenon Toprakcioglu
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Assaf Ezra
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Xizhou Liu
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Darya Bychenko
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Aviad Levin
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Ehud Gazit
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K
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16
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Kong L, Levin A, Toprakcioglu Z, Xu Y, Gang H, Ye R, Mu BZ, Knowles TPJ. Lipid-Stabilized Double Emulsions Generated in Planar Microfluidic Devices. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:2349-2356. [PMID: 32045250 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b03622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Microemulsions have found a wide range of applications exploiting their chemical and physical properties. Development of microfluidic-based approaches has allowed for the controlled production of highly monodispersed emulsions, including the formation of multiple and hierarchical emulsions. Conventional poly(dimethylsiloxane)-based microfluidic systems require tight spatial control over the surface chemistry when used for double emulsion generation, which can be challenging to achieve on the micrometer scale. Here, we present a two-dimensional device design, which can selectively be surface-treated in a straightforward manner and allows for the formation of uniform water/oil/water double emulsions by combining two distinct hydrophilic and hydrophobic surface properties. These surfaces are sufficiently separated in space to allow for imparting their functionalization without the requirement for lithographic approaches or complex flow control. We demonstrate that a mismatch between the wettability requirements of the continuous phase and the channel wall inherent in this approach can be tolerated over several hundreds of micrometers, opening up the possibility to use simple pressure-driven flows to achieve surface functionalization. The design architecture exhibits robust efficiency in emulsion generation while retaining simple device fabrication. We finally demonstrate the potential of this approach by generating water in oil in water emulsions with lipid molecules acting as surfactants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, People's Republic of China
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Aviad Levin
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Zenon Toprakcioglu
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Yufan Xu
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Hongze Gang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruqiang Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo-Zhong Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, People's Republic of China
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FE, United Kingdom
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17
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Kamada A, Levin A, Toprakcioglu Z, Shen Y, Lutz-Bueno V, Baumann KN, Mohammadi P, Linder MB, Mezzenga R, Knowles TPJ. Modulating the Mechanical Performance of Macroscale Fibers through Shear-Induced Alignment and Assembly of Protein Nanofibrils. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e1904190. [PMID: 31595701 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201904190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Protein-based fibers are used by nature as high-performance materials in a wide range of applications, including providing structural support, creating thermal insulation, and generating underwater adhesives. Such fibers are commonly generated through a hierarchical self-assembly process, where the molecular building blocks are geometrically confined and aligned along the fiber axis to provide a high level of structural robustness. Here, this approach is mimicked by using a microfluidic spinning method to enable precise control over multiscale order during the assembly process of nanoscale protein nanofibrils into micro- and macroscale fibers. By varying the flow rates on chip, the degree of nanofibril alignment can be tuned, leading to an orientation index comparable to that of native silk. It is found that the Young's modulus of the resulting fibers increases with an increasing level of nanoscale alignment of the building blocks, suggesting that the mechanical properties of macroscopic fibers can be controlled through varying the level of ordering of the nanoscale building blocks. Capitalizing on strategies evolved by nature, the fabrication method allows for the controlled formation of macroscopic fibers and offers the potential to be applied for the generation of further novel bioinspired materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayaka Kamada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Aviad Levin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Zenon Toprakcioglu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Yi Shen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Viviane Lutz-Bueno
- Laboratory of Food and Soft Materials Science, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse, 9, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kevin N Baumann
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Pezhman Mohammadi
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., VTT, FI-02044, Espoo, Finland
| | - Markus B Linder
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, Kemistintie 1, 00076, Aalto, Espoo, Finland
| | - Raffaele Mezzenga
- Laboratory of Food and Soft Materials Science, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse, 9, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
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18
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Toprakcioglu Z, Challa PK, Morse DB, Knowles T. Attoliter protein nanogels from droplet nanofluidics for intracellular delivery. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaay7952. [PMID: 32083185 PMCID: PMC7007244 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aay7952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Microscale hydrogels consisting of macromolecular networks in aqueous continuous phases have received increasing attention because of their potential use in tissue engineering, cell encapsulation and for the storage and release of cargo molecules. However, for applications targeting intracellular delivery, their micrometer-scale size is unsuitable for effective cellular uptake. Nanoscale analogs of such materials are thus required for this key area. Here, we describe a microfluidics/nanofluidics-based strategy for generating monodisperse nanosized water-in-oil emulsions with controllable sizes ranging from 2500 ± 110 nm down to 51 ± 6 nm. We demonstrate that these nanoemulsions can act as templates to form protein nanogels stabilized by supramolecular fibrils from three different proteins. We further show that these nanoparticles have the ability to penetrate mammalian cell membranes and deliver intracellular cargo. Due to their biocompatibility and lack of toxicity, natural protein-based nanoparticles present advantageous characteristics as vehicles for cargo molecules in the context of pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zenon Toprakcioglu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Pavan Kumar Challa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - David B. Morse
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Tuomas Knowles
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 OHE, UK
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19
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Chao Y, Shum HC. Emerging aqueous two-phase systems: from fundamentals of interfaces to biomedical applications. Chem Soc Rev 2020; 49:114-142. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cs00466a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review summarizes recent advances of aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs), particularly their interfaces, with a focus on biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youchuang Chao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- The University of Hong Kong
- China
| | - Ho Cheung Shum
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- The University of Hong Kong
- China
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20
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Toprakcioglu Z, Challa P, Xu C, Knowles TPJ. Label-Free Analysis of Protein Aggregation and Phase Behavior. ACS NANO 2019; 13:13940-13948. [PMID: 31738513 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b05552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Phase transitions of protein molecules are central to biological function and malfunction. One such transition commonly encountered in nature is the conversion of soluble monomeric states into solid phases, which include crystals and amyloid fibrils, the latter of which are associated with the onset and development of neurodegenerative diseases. Monitoring aggregate formation and protein phase behavior is essential in gaining mechanistic insights into these fundamental processes. Fluorescence techniques have proven invaluable in observing biological molecules; yet, most such approaches rely on the use of an extrinsic fluorophore that binds to the molecule of interest, the installation of which can perturb the molecular systems under study. However, most proteins also possess aromatic amino acids within their peptide sequence and therefore exhibit intrinsic fluorescence. Here, we show that by measuring in space and time tryptophan autofluorescence for three proteins, reconstituted silk fibroin, β-lactoglobulin, and lysozyme, fibrillar self-assembly can be monitored accurately and without the need for extrinsic dyes. When fibrillar protein self-assembly takes place, hydrophobic burial occurs, resulting in the minimization of exposed tryptophan residues to the solvent and consequently leading to an increase in protein autofluorescence. Moreover, by employing a droplet-microfluidic approach to confine protein self-assembly in space, we demonstrate that intrinsic fluorescence can be used to image protein nanofibrils in a label-free manner and that the microstructural analysis obtained from intrinsic fluorescence microscopy correlates well with that from samples treated with extrinsic dyes. Finally, our results show that protein autofluorescence is not limited to the observation of β-sheet-rich structures, but can also be used to distinguish between different types of solid phases including spherulites and crystals, making this approach suitable for overall characterization of protein phase transition phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zenon Toprakcioglu
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , CB2 1EW , Cambridge , U.K
| | - Pavankumar Challa
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , CB2 1EW , Cambridge , U.K
| | - Catherine Xu
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , CB2 1EW , Cambridge , U.K
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , CB2 1EW , Cambridge , U.K
- Cavendish Laboratory , J J Thomson Avenue , CB3 OHE , Cambridge , U.K
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21
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Recent Advances in Droplet-based Microfluidic Technologies for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. MICROMACHINES 2019; 10:mi10060412. [PMID: 31226819 PMCID: PMC6631694 DOI: 10.3390/mi10060412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 06/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Recently, droplet-based microfluidic systems have been widely used in various biochemical and molecular biological assays. Since this platform technique allows manipulation of large amounts of data and also provides absolute accuracy in comparison to conventional bioanalytical approaches, over the last decade a range of basic biochemical and molecular biological operations have been transferred to drop-based microfluidic formats. In this review, we introduce recent advances and examples of droplet-based microfluidic techniques that have been applied in biochemistry and molecular biology research including genomics, proteomics and cellomics. Their advantages and weaknesses in various applications are also comprehensively discussed here. The purpose of this review is to provide a new point of view and current status in droplet-based microfluidics to biochemists and molecular biologists. We hope that this review will accelerate communications between researchers who are working in droplet-based microfluidics, biochemistry and molecular biology.
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22
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Liu X, Toprakcioglu Z, Dear AJ, Levin A, Ruggeri FS, Taylor CG, Hu M, Kumita JR, Andreasen M, Dobson CM, Shimanovich U, Knowles TPJ. Fabrication and Characterization of Reconstituted Silk Microgels for the Storage and Release of Small Molecules. Macromol Rapid Commun 2019; 40:e1800898. [DOI: 10.1002/marc.201800898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xizhou Liu
- X. Liu, Z. Toprakcioglu, A. J. Dear, Dr. A. Levin, Dr. F. S. Ruggeri, C. G. Taylor, M. Hu, Dr. J. R. Kumita, Dr. M. Andreasen, Prof. C. M. Dobson, Prof. T. P. J. KnowlesDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Zenon Toprakcioglu
- X. Liu, Z. Toprakcioglu, A. J. Dear, Dr. A. Levin, Dr. F. S. Ruggeri, C. G. Taylor, M. Hu, Dr. J. R. Kumita, Dr. M. Andreasen, Prof. C. M. Dobson, Prof. T. P. J. KnowlesDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Alexander J. Dear
- X. Liu, Z. Toprakcioglu, A. J. Dear, Dr. A. Levin, Dr. F. S. Ruggeri, C. G. Taylor, M. Hu, Dr. J. R. Kumita, Dr. M. Andreasen, Prof. C. M. Dobson, Prof. T. P. J. KnowlesDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Aviad Levin
- X. Liu, Z. Toprakcioglu, A. J. Dear, Dr. A. Levin, Dr. F. S. Ruggeri, C. G. Taylor, M. Hu, Dr. J. R. Kumita, Dr. M. Andreasen, Prof. C. M. Dobson, Prof. T. P. J. KnowlesDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Francesco Simone Ruggeri
- X. Liu, Z. Toprakcioglu, A. J. Dear, Dr. A. Levin, Dr. F. S. Ruggeri, C. G. Taylor, M. Hu, Dr. J. R. Kumita, Dr. M. Andreasen, Prof. C. M. Dobson, Prof. T. P. J. KnowlesDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Christopher G. Taylor
- X. Liu, Z. Toprakcioglu, A. J. Dear, Dr. A. Levin, Dr. F. S. Ruggeri, C. G. Taylor, M. Hu, Dr. J. R. Kumita, Dr. M. Andreasen, Prof. C. M. Dobson, Prof. T. P. J. KnowlesDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Mengsha Hu
- X. Liu, Z. Toprakcioglu, A. J. Dear, Dr. A. Levin, Dr. F. S. Ruggeri, C. G. Taylor, M. Hu, Dr. J. R. Kumita, Dr. M. Andreasen, Prof. C. M. Dobson, Prof. T. P. J. KnowlesDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Janet R. Kumita
- X. Liu, Z. Toprakcioglu, A. J. Dear, Dr. A. Levin, Dr. F. S. Ruggeri, C. G. Taylor, M. Hu, Dr. J. R. Kumita, Dr. M. Andreasen, Prof. C. M. Dobson, Prof. T. P. J. KnowlesDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Maria Andreasen
- X. Liu, Z. Toprakcioglu, A. J. Dear, Dr. A. Levin, Dr. F. S. Ruggeri, C. G. Taylor, M. Hu, Dr. J. R. Kumita, Dr. M. Andreasen, Prof. C. M. Dobson, Prof. T. P. J. KnowlesDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
- Dr. M. AndreasenAarhus University Wilhelm Meyer's Allé 3 8000 Aarhus Denmark
| | - Christopher M. Dobson
- X. Liu, Z. Toprakcioglu, A. J. Dear, Dr. A. Levin, Dr. F. S. Ruggeri, C. G. Taylor, M. Hu, Dr. J. R. Kumita, Dr. M. Andreasen, Prof. C. M. Dobson, Prof. T. P. J. KnowlesDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | | | - Tuomas P. J. Knowles
- X. Liu, Z. Toprakcioglu, A. J. Dear, Dr. A. Levin, Dr. F. S. Ruggeri, C. G. Taylor, M. Hu, Dr. J. R. Kumita, Dr. M. Andreasen, Prof. C. M. Dobson, Prof. T. P. J. KnowlesDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
- Prof. T. P. J. KnowlesDepartment of Physics J J Thomson Avenue Cambridge CB3 0HE UK
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Wongpinyochit T, Totten JD, Johnston BF, Seib FP. Microfluidic-assisted silk nanoparticle tuning. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2019; 1:873-883. [PMID: 36132231 PMCID: PMC9473249 DOI: 10.1039/c8na00208h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Silk is now making inroads into advanced pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. Both bottom-up and top-down approaches can be applied to silk and the resulting aqueous silk solution can be processed into a range of material formats, including nanoparticles. Here, we demonstrate the potential of microfluidics for the continuous production of silk nanoparticles with tuned particle characteristics. Our microfluidic-based design ensured efficient mixing of different solvent phases at the nanoliter scale, in addition to controlling the solvent ratio and flow rates. The total flow rate and aqueous : solvent ratios were important parameters affecting yield (1 mL min-1 > 12 mL min-1). The ratios also affected size and stability; a solvent : aqueous total flow ratio of 5 : 1 efficiently generated spherical nanoparticles 110 and 215 nm in size that were stable in water and had a high beta-sheet content. These 110 and 215 nm silk nanoparticles were not cytotoxic (IC50 > 100 μg mL-1) but showed size-dependent cellular trafficking. Overall, microfluidic-assisted silk nanoparticle manufacture is a promising platform that allows control of the silk nanoparticle properties by manipulation of the processing variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thidarat Wongpinyochit
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde 161 Cathedral Street Glasgow G4 0RE UK
| | - John D Totten
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde 161 Cathedral Street Glasgow G4 0RE UK
| | - Blair F Johnston
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde 161 Cathedral Street Glasgow G4 0RE UK
| | - F Philipp Seib
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde 161 Cathedral Street Glasgow G4 0RE UK
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden Hohe Strasse 6 01069 Dresden Germany
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Toprakcioglu Z, Challa PK, Levin A, Knowles TPJ. Observation of molecular self-assembly events in massively parallel microdroplet arrays. LAB ON A CHIP 2018; 18:3303-3309. [PMID: 30270398 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00862k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The self-assembly of peptide and protein molecules into nanoscale filaments is a process associated with both biological function and malfunction. Microfluidic techniques can provide powerful tools in the study of such aggregation phenomena while providing access to exploring the role of molecular interactions in disease development. Yet, a common challenge encountered in the study of protein aggregation is the difficulty in achieving spatial and temporal control of the underlying processes. Here, we present a planar (2-D) device allowing for both the generation and confinement of 10 000 monodisperse water-in-oil droplets in an array of chambers with a trapping efficiency of 99%. Due to the specific geometry of the device, droplets can be formed and immediately trapped on the same chip, without the need for continuous flow of the oil phase. Furthermore, we demonstrate the capability of this device as a platform to study the aggregation kinetics and determine stochastic molecular nanoscale self-assembly events in a highly parallel manner for the aggregation of the dipeptide, diphenylalanine, the core recognition motif of the Aβ-42 peptide associated with Alzheimer's disease. The ability to reproducibly generate and confine monodisperse water-in-oil droplets with an extremely high trapping efficiency while maintaining entrapment under zero-flow conditions, on timescales compatible with observing molecular self-assembly events, renders it promising for numerous potential further applications in the biological and biophysical fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zenon Toprakcioglu
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
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25
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A Cosine Similarity Algorithm Method for Fast and Accurate Monitoring of Dynamic Droplet Generation Processes. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9967. [PMID: 29967430 PMCID: PMC6028520 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28270-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Droplet microfluidics has attracted significant interests in functional microcapsule synthesis, pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, cosmetics and biomedical research. The low variability of performing chemical reactions inside droplets could benefit from improved homogeneity and reproducibility. Therefore, accurate and convenient methods are needed to monitor dynamic droplet generation processes. Here, a novel Cosine Similarity Algorithm (CSA) method was developed to monitor the droplet generation frequency accurately and rapidly. With a microscopic droplet generation video clip captured with a high-speed camera, droplet generation frequency can be computed accurately by calculating the cosine similarities between the frames in the video clip. Four kinds of dynamic droplet generation processes were investigated including (1) a stable condition in a single microfluidic channel, (2) a stable condition in multiple microfluidic channels, (3) a single microfluidic channel with artificial disturbances, and (4) microgel fabrication with or without artificial disturbances. For a video clip with 5,000 frames and a spatial resolution of 512 × 62 pixels, droplet generation frequency up to 4,707.9 Hz can be calculated in less than 1.70 s with an absolute relative calculation error less than 0.08%. Artificial disturbances in droplet generation processes can be precisely determined using the CSA method. This highly effective CSA method could be a powerful tool for further promoting the research of droplet microfluidics.
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