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Xian Q, Luo X, Zhang J, Wong YC, Yang S, Wen W. High-Throughput Microfluidic Particle Counter Based on Optical Absorption. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:4085-4092. [PMID: 38780535 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.4c00516] [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] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
With the utilization of advanced microfluidic techniques, the microfluidic particle counter demonstrates significant potential due to its high efficiency, precise manipulation, and portability. This work focuses on a photodetection counter based on optical absorption. To achieve precise particle detection, a Christmas tree-like structure was implemented to separate a single particle from a cluster, which was then detected in independent multiple parallel channels. The system exhibits a high degree of reliability, as evidenced by a linear correlation coefficient over 0.99 obtained during testing with gradient-concentrated beads. Furthermore, when the calculated density of NIH 3T3 cells is compared with that of a traditional flow cytometer, the system achieves a substantial agreement percentage ranging from 87.5 to 99.9%. The system's ability to perform high-throughput analysis with a high acquisition rate positions it as a promising tool for real-time point-of-care testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyue Xian
- Thrust of Advanced Materials, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Nansha, Guangzhou 511400, China
- Division of Emerging Interdisciplinary Areas, Interdisciplinary Program Office, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Xiao Luo
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Jie Zhang
- Thrust of Advanced Materials, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Nansha, Guangzhou 511400, China
| | - Yu Ching Wong
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Siyu Yang
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Weijia Wen
- Thrust of Advanced Materials, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Nansha, Guangzhou 511400, China
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong
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Mashiyama S, Hemmi R, Sato T, Kato A, Taniguchi T, Yamada M. Pushing the limits of microfluidic droplet production efficiency: engineering microchannels with seamlessly implemented 3D inverse colloidal crystals. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:171-181. [PMID: 38050757 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00913k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Although droplet microfluidics has been studied for the past two decades, its applications are still limited due to the low productivity of microdroplets resulting from the low integration of planar microchannel structures. In this study, a microfluidic system implementing inverse colloidal crystals (ICCs), a spongious matrix with regularly and densely formed three-dimensional (3D) interconnected micropores, was developed to significantly increase the throughput of microdroplet generation. A new bottom-up microfabrication technique was developed to seamlessly integrate the ICCs into planar microchannels by accumulating non-crosslinked spherical PMMA microparticles as sacrificial porogens in a selective area of a mold and later dissolving them. We have demonstrated that the densely arranged micropores on the spongious ICC of the microchannel function as massively parallel micronozzles, enabling droplet formation on the order of >10 kHz. Droplet size could be adjusted by flow conditions, fluid properties, and micropore size, and biopolymer particles composed of polysaccharides and proteins were produced. By further parallelization of the unit structures, droplet formation on the order of >100 kHz was achieved. The presented approach is an upgrade of the existing droplet microfluidics concept, not only in terms of its high throughput, but also in terms of ease of fabrication and operation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shota Mashiyama
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
| | - Runa Hemmi
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
| | - Takeru Sato
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
| | - Atsuya Kato
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
| | - Tatsuo Taniguchi
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
| | - Masumi Yamada
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
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Seeto WJ, Tian Y, Pradhan S, Minond D, Lipke EA. Droplet Microfluidics-Based Fabrication of Monodisperse Poly(ethylene glycol)-Fibrinogen Breast Cancer Microspheres for Automated Drug Screening Applications. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2022; 8:3831-3841. [PMID: 35969206 PMCID: PMC9472798 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Spheroidal cancer microtissues are highly advantageous for a wide range of biomedical applications, including high-throughput drug screening, multiplexed target validation, mechanistic investigation of tumor-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions, among others. Current techniques for spheroidal tissue formation rely heavily on self-aggregation of single cancer cells and have substantial limitations in terms of cell-type-specific heterogeneities, uniformity, ease of production and handling, and most importantly, mimicking the complex native tumor microenvironmental conditions in simplistic models. These constraints can be overcome by using engineered tunable hydrogels that closely mimic the tumor ECM and elucidate pathologically relevant cell behavior, coupled with microfluidics-based high-throughput fabrication technologies to encapsulate cells and create cancer microtissues. In this study, we employ biosynthetic hybrid hydrogels composed of poly(ethylene glycol diacrylate) (PEGDA) covalently conjugated to natural protein (fibrinogen) (PEG-fibrinogen, PF) to create monodisperse microspheres encapsulating breast cancer cells for 3D culture and tumorigenic characterization. A previously developed droplet-based microfluidic system is used for rapid, facile, and reproducible fabrication of uniform cancer microspheres with either MCF7 or MDA-MB-231 (metastatic) breast cancer cells. Cancer cell-type-dependent variations in cell viability, metabolic activity, and 3D morphology, as well as microsphere stiffness, are quantified over time. Particularly, MCF7 cells grew as tight cellular clusters in the PF microspheres, characteristic of their epithelial morphology, while MDA-MB-231 cells displayed elongated and invasive morphology, characteristic of their mesenchymal and metastatic nature. Finally, the translational potential of the cancer microsphere platform toward high-throughput drug screening is also demonstrated. With high uniformity, scalability, and control over engineered microenvironments, the established cancer microsphere model can be potentially used for mechanistic studies, fabrication of modular cancer microtissues, and future drug-testing applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen J. Seeto
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States
| | - Yuan Tian
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States
| | - Shantanu Pradhan
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States
| | - Dmitriy Minond
- College
of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nova Southeastern University, Lauderdale, Florida 33314, United States
- Rumbaugh-Goodwin
Institute for Cancer Research, Nova Southeastern
University, Lauderdale, Florida 33314, United States
| | - Elizabeth A. Lipke
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States
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Zhang Y, Chen H, Li J. Recent advances on gelatin methacrylate hydrogels with controlled microstructures for tissue engineering. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 221:91-107. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.08.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Shao L, Pan B, Hou R, Jin Y, Yao Y. User-friendly microfluidic manufacturing of hydrogel microspheres with sharp needle. Biofabrication 2022; 14. [PMID: 35193129 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ac57a5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogel microspheres are flexible microstructures with many fascinating functions, such as 3D cell culture, injection therapy, drug delivery, organoids and microtissues construction. The traditional methods of manufacturing hydrogel microspheres more or less have some shortcomings, such as atomization/emulsion method with uneven sizes; piezoelectric-/thermal-/electric-assisted inkjet with high cell damage and unknown cell growth effects; microfluidic manufacturing with sophisticated microdevices etc., which lead to poor user experiences. Here, we designed a user-friendly microfluidic device to generate hydrogel microspheres with sharp needles that can be replaced at will. Specifically, a commercial tapered opening sharp needle was inserted into a transparent silicone tube with the tapered opening facing the upper wall of the silicone tube. Then, GelMA solution and paraffin oil were pumped into the sharp needle and the silicone tube respectively. GelMA microdroplets were formed under the shear stress of the silicone tube and the oil phase, and after being photo-crosslinked in situ, GelMA microspheres with uniform and adjustable sizes can be generated. Due to the simplicity of our original device, heterogeneous microspheres such as Janus, core-shell and hollow microspheres can be easily manufactured by simple modification of the device. In addition, we demonstrated the strong flexibility and maneuverability of the microspheres through macroscopic free assembly. Finally, we prepared different cell-laden GelMA microspheres, and the cells showed stretching behavior similar to that in vivo after a short period culture, which indicated the high bioactivity of GelMA microspheres. Meanwhile, we cultured the Janus cell-laden GelMA microspheres and the assembly of cell-laden GelMA microspheres, where the cells stretched and interacted, demonstrating the potential of GelMA microspheres for co-culture and fabrication of large-scale tissue constructs. In view of the above results, our user-friendly microfluidic manufacturing method of hydrogel microspheres with sharp needles will provide great convenience to relevant researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Shao
- Ningbo University, Ningbo University, 818 Fenghua Road, Jiangbei District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, 315211, CHINA
| | - Bingchu Pan
- Ningbo University, Ningbo University, 818 Fenghua Road, Jiangbei District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, 315211, CHINA
| | - Ruixia Hou
- Ningbo University, Ningbo University, 818 Fenghua Road, Jiangbei District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, 315211, CHINA
| | - Yuan Jin
- School of mechnical engineering and mechanics, Ningbo University, Ningbo University, 818 Fenghua Road, Jiangbei District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, 315211, CHINA
| | - Yudong Yao
- Ningbo University, Ningbo University, 818 Fenghua Road, Jiangbei District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, 315211, CHINA
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Argentiere S, Siciliano PA, Blasi L. How Microgels Can Improve the Impact of Organ-on-Chip and Microfluidic Devices for 3D Culture: Compartmentalization, Single Cell Encapsulation and Control on Cell Fate. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:3216. [PMID: 34641032 PMCID: PMC8512905 DOI: 10.3390/polym13193216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Organ-on-chip (OOC) devices represent the new frontier in biomedical research to produce micro-organoids and tissues for drug testing and regenerative medicine. The development of such miniaturized models requires the 3D culture of multiple cell types in a highly controlled microenvironment, opening new challenges in reproducing the extracellular matrix (ECM) experienced by cells in vivo. In this regard, cell-laden microgels (CLMs) represent a promising tool for 3D cell culturing and on-chip generation of micro-organs. The engineering of hydrogel matrix with properly balanced biochemical and biophysical cues enables the formation of tunable 3D cellular microenvironments and long-term in vitro cultures. This focused review provides an overview of the most recent applications of CLMs in microfluidic devices for organoids formation, highlighting microgels' roles in OOC development as well as insights into future research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laura Blasi
- Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems IMM-CNR, Via Monteroni, University Campus, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (S.A.); (P.A.S.)
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Guttenplan APM, Tahmasebi Birgani Z, Giselbrecht S, Truckenmüller RK, Habibović P. Chips for Biomaterials and Biomaterials for Chips: Recent Advances at the Interface between Microfabrication and Biomaterials Research. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2100371. [PMID: 34033239 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202100371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the use of microfabrication techniques has allowed biomaterials studies which were originally carried out at larger length scales to be miniaturized as so-called "on-chip" experiments. These miniaturized experiments have a range of advantages which have led to an increase in their popularity. A range of biomaterial shapes and compositions are synthesized or manufactured on chip. Moreover, chips are developed to investigate specific aspects of interactions between biomaterials and biological systems. Finally, biomaterials are used in microfabricated devices to replicate the physiological microenvironment in studies using so-called "organ-on-chip," "tissue-on-chip" or "disease-on-chip" models, which can reduce the use of animal models with their inherent high cost and ethical issues, and due to the possible use of human cells can increase the translation of research from lab to clinic. This review gives an overview of recent developments at the interface between microfabrication and biomaterials science, and indicates potential future directions that the field may take. In particular, a trend toward increased scale and automation is apparent, allowing both industrial production of micron-scale biomaterials and high-throughput screening of the interaction of diverse materials libraries with cells and bioengineered tissues and organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander P. M. Guttenplan
- Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering MERLN Institute for Technology‐Inspired Regenerative Medicine Maastricht University Universiteitssingel 40 Maastricht 6229ER The Netherlands
| | - Zeinab Tahmasebi Birgani
- Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering MERLN Institute for Technology‐Inspired Regenerative Medicine Maastricht University Universiteitssingel 40 Maastricht 6229ER The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Giselbrecht
- Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering MERLN Institute for Technology‐Inspired Regenerative Medicine Maastricht University Universiteitssingel 40 Maastricht 6229ER The Netherlands
| | - Roman K. Truckenmüller
- Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering MERLN Institute for Technology‐Inspired Regenerative Medicine Maastricht University Universiteitssingel 40 Maastricht 6229ER The Netherlands
| | - Pamela Habibović
- Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering MERLN Institute for Technology‐Inspired Regenerative Medicine Maastricht University Universiteitssingel 40 Maastricht 6229ER The Netherlands
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