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Kim S, Song Y, Kim J, Jeong B, Park N, Park YM, Kim YT, Rho D, Lee SJ, Choi BG, Im SG, Lee KG. Nanotopology-Enabled On-Site Pathogen Detection for Managing Atopic Dermatitis. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2303272. [PMID: 38412280 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202303272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD), a prevalent skin condition often complicated by microbial infection, poses a significant challenge in identifying the responsible pathogen for its effective management. However, a reliable, safe tool for pinpointing the source of these infections remains elusive. In this study, a novel on-site pathogen detection that combines chemically functionalized nanotopology with genetic analysis is proposed to capture and analyze pathogens closely associated with severe atopic dermatitis. The chemically functionalized nanotopology features a 3D hierarchical nanopillar array (HNA) with a functional polymer coating, tailored to isolate target pathogens from infected skin. This innovative nanotopology demonstrates superior pathogenic capture efficiency, favorable entrapment patterns, and non-cytotoxicity. An HNA-assembled stick is utilized to directly retrieve bacteria from infected skin samples, followed by extraction-free quantitative loop-mediated isothermal amplification (direct qLAMP) for validation. To mimic human skin conditions, porcine skin is employed to successfully capture Staphylococcus aureus, a common bacterium exacerbating AD cases. The on-site detection method exhibits an impressive detection limit of 103 cells mL-1. The HNA-assembled stick represents a promising tool for on-site detection of bacteria associated with atopic dermatitis. This innovative approach enables to deepen the understanding of AD pathogenesis and open avenues for more effective management strategies for chronic skin conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seongeun Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Younseong Song
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jueun Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kangwon National University, Samcheok, 25913, Republic of Korea
| | - Booseok Jeong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Nahyun Park
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoo Min Park
- Center for NanoBio Development, National NanoFab Center, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Tae Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Tech University of Korea, Siheung-si, 15073, Republic of Korea
| | - Donggee Rho
- Center for NanoBio Development, National NanoFab Center, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Jae Lee
- Center for NanoBio Development, National NanoFab Center, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Bong Gill Choi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kangwon National University, Samcheok, 25913, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Gap Im
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung G Lee
- Center for NanoBio Development, National NanoFab Center, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
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2
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Valiei A, Aminian-Dehkordi J, Mofrad MRK. Gut-on-a-chip models for dissecting the gut microbiology and physiology. APL Bioeng 2023; 7:011502. [PMID: 36875738 PMCID: PMC9977465 DOI: 10.1063/5.0126541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Microfluidic technologies have been extensively investigated in recent years for developing organ-on-a-chip-devices as robust in vitro models aiming to recapitulate organ 3D topography and its physicochemical cues. Among these attempts, an important research front has focused on simulating the physiology of the gut, an organ with a distinct cellular composition featuring a plethora of microbial and human cells that mutually mediate critical body functions. This research has led to innovative approaches to model fluid flow, mechanical forces, and oxygen gradients, which are all important developmental cues of the gut physiological system. A myriad of studies has demonstrated that gut-on-a-chip models reinforce a prolonged coculture of microbiota and human cells with genotypic and phenotypic responses that closely mimic the in vivo data. Accordingly, the excellent organ mimicry offered by gut-on-a-chips has fueled numerous investigations on the clinical and industrial applications of these devices in recent years. In this review, we outline various gut-on-a-chip designs, particularly focusing on different configurations used to coculture the microbiome and various human intestinal cells. We then elaborate on different approaches that have been adopted to model key physiochemical stimuli and explore how these models have been beneficial to understanding gut pathophysiology and testing therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Valiei
- Molecular Cell Biomechanics Laboratory, Departments of Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Javad Aminian-Dehkordi
- Molecular Cell Biomechanics Laboratory, Departments of Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
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3
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Owen DS. Toward a better modulus at shallow indentations-Enhanced tip and sample characterization for quantitative atomic force microscopy. Microsc Res Tech 2023; 86:84-96. [PMID: 36398794 PMCID: PMC10099859 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Approximations of the geometry of indenting probes, particularly when using shallow indentations on soft materials, can lead to the erroneous reporting of mechanical data in atomic force microscopy (AFM). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) identified a marked change in geometry toward the tip apex where the conical probe assumes a near linear flat-punch geometry. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a ubiquitous elastomer within the materials and biological sciences. Its elastic modulus is widely characterized but the data are dispersed and can display orders of magnitude disparity. Herein, we compare the moduli gathered from a range of analytical techniques and relate these to the molecular architecture identified with AFM. We present a simple method that considers sub-100 nm indentations of PDMS using the Hertz and Sneddon contact mechanics models, and how this could be used to improve the output of shallow indentations on similarly soft materials, such as polymers or cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Owen
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK
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4
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Mok JH, Niu Y, Yousef A, Zhao Y, Sastry SK. A microfluidic approach for studying microcolonization of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on leaf trichome-mimicking surfaces under fluid shear stress. Biotechnol Bioeng 2022; 119:1556-1566. [PMID: 35141878 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Escherichia coli O157:H7 have previously been associated with disease outbreaks associated with leafy green vegetables. However, the physical mechanisms that determine the spatial organization of bacteria onto leafy greens are still not clear. Microfluidics with embedded trichome-mimicking microposts were employed to investigate the role of shear flow and configuration of trichomes on E. coli O157:H7 microcolonization. We characterized the three-dimensional microcolonization of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged E. coli O157:H7 using multiphoton fluorescence microscopy and compared their differences under static (no flow; incubated for 36 h at 37°C) and fluid shear conditions (750 nl/min for 36 h at 37°C). For micropatterned trichome arrays, we demonstrated that natural wax-mixed polydimethylsiloxane retains similar topographies and contact angles to the surface of trichome-bearing leafy greens. Our results showed that E. coli O157:H7 under fluid shear stress aligned their colonization parallel to the direction of flow. In a static condition, their colonization had no preferential alignment, with statistically similar angular distributions in all directions. In addition, depending on dimensions of the trichome arrays and flow conditions, different bacterial microcolonization patterns grew radially from initial attachment; they formed into filamentous structures and developed into bridges by surface hydrophobicity and flow-induced shear with a nutrient-rich medium. Collectively, these results demonstrate how the consequences of bacterial colonization in response to shear flow can affect pathogenic bacterial contamination of leafy greens and biofilm architectures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Hong Mok
- Department of Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Ye Niu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Ahmed Yousef
- Department of Food Science and Technology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Yi Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Sudhir K Sastry
- Department of Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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5
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Zhu Y, McHale G, Dawson J, Armstrong S, Wells G, Han R, Liu H, Vollmer W, Stoodley P, Jakubovics N, Chen J. Slippery Liquid-Like Solid Surfaces with Promising Antibiofilm Performance under Both Static and Flow Conditions. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:6307-6319. [PMID: 35099179 PMCID: PMC9096797 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c14533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Biofilms are central to some of the most urgent global challenges across diverse fields of application, from medicine to industries to the environment, and exert considerable economic and social impact. A fundamental assumption in anti-biofilms has been that the coating on a substrate surface is solid. The invention of slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces─a continuously wet lubricating coating retained on a solid surface by capillary forces─has led to this being challenged. However, in situations where flow occurs, shear stress may deplete the lubricant and affect the anti-biofilm performance. Here, we report on the use of slippery omniphobic covalently attached liquid (SOCAL) surfaces, which provide a surface coating with short (ca. 4 nm) non-cross-linked polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chains retaining liquid-surface properties, as an antibiofilm strategy stable under shear stress from flow. This surface reduced biofilm formation of the key biofilm-forming pathogens Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by three-four orders of magnitude compared to the widely used medical implant material PDMS after 7 days under static and dynamic culture conditions. Throughout the entire dynamic culture period of P. aeruginosa, SOCAL significantly outperformed a typical antibiofilm slippery surface [i.e., swollen PDMS in silicone oil (S-PDMS)]. We have revealed that significant oil loss occurred after 2-7 day flow for S-PDMS, which correlated to increased contact angle hysteresis (CAH), indicating a degradation of the slippery surface properties, and biofilm formation, while SOCAL has stable CAH and sustainable antibiofilm performance after 7 day flow. The significance of this correlation is to provide a useful easy-to-measure physical parameter as an indicator for long-term antibiofilm performance. This biofilm-resistant liquid-like solid surface offers a new antibiofilm strategy for applications in medical devices and other areas where biofilm development is problematic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufeng Zhu
- School
of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1
7RU, U.K.
| | - Glen McHale
- School
of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FB, U.K.
| | - Jack Dawson
- School
of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1
7RU, U.K.
| | - Steven Armstrong
- School
of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FB, U.K.
| | - Gary Wells
- School
of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FB, U.K.
| | - Rui Han
- School
of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1
7RU, U.K.
| | - Hongzhong Liu
- School
of Mechanical Engineering, Xi’an
Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710054, China
| | - Waldemar Vollmer
- Centre
for Bacterial Cell Biology, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle
Upon Tyne NE2 4AX, U.K.
| | - Paul Stoodley
- Department
of Microbial Infection and Immunity and the Department of Orthopaedics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
- National
Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton (nCATS), National Biofilm
Innovation Centre (NBIC), Mechanical Engineering, University of Southampton, Southampton S017 1BJ, U.K.
| | - Nicholas Jakubovics
- School
of Dental Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle
Upon Tyne NE2 4BW, U.K.
| | - Jinju Chen
- School
of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1
7RU, U.K.
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6
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Łojkowski M, Chlanda A, Choińska E, Swieszkowski W. Water vapor induced self-assembly of islands/honeycomb structure by secondary phase separation in polystyrene solution with bimodal molecular weight distribution. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13299. [PMID: 34168207 PMCID: PMC8225630 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92594-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation of complex structures in thin films is of interest in many fields. Segregation of polymer chains of different molecular weights is a well-known process. However, here, polystyrene with bimodal molecular weight distribution, but no additional chemical modification was used. It was proven that at certain conditions, the phase separation occurred between two fractions of bimodal polystyrene/methyl ethyl ketone solution. The films were prepared by spin-coating, and the segregation between polystyrene phases was investigated by force spectroscopy. Next, water vapour induced secondary phase separation was investigated. The introduction of moist airflow induced the self-assembly of the lower molecular weight into islands and the heavier fraction into a honeycomb. As a result, an easy, fast, and effective method of obtaining island/honeycomb morphologies was demonstrated. The possible mechanisms of the formation of such structures were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Łojkowski
- Faculty of Material Sciences and Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Wołoska 141, 02-507, Warsaw, Poland.
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Technology CEZAMAT, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Adrian Chlanda
- Faculty of Material Sciences and Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Wołoska 141, 02-507, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Chemical Synthesis and Flake Graphene, Łukasiewicz Research Network - Institute of Microelectronics and Photonics, Aleja Lotników 32/46, 02-668, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Emilia Choińska
- Faculty of Material Sciences and Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Wołoska 141, 02-507, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wojciech Swieszkowski
- Faculty of Material Sciences and Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Wołoska 141, 02-507, Warsaw, Poland.
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7
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Lei W, Krolla P, Schwartz T, Levkin PA. Controlling Geometry and Flow Through Bacterial Bridges on Patterned Lubricant-Infused Surfaces (pLIS). SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e2004575. [PMID: 33216442 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202004575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Spatial control of bacteria and biofilms on surfaces is necessary to understand the biofilm formation and the social interactions between bacterial communities, which could provide useful hints to study the biofilm-involved diseases. Here patterned lubricant-infused surfaces (pLIS) are utilized to fabricate connective structures named "bacterial bridges" between bacterial colonies of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by a simple dewetting method. It is demonstrated that the bacteria attached to hydrophilic areas and bacteria precipitated on lubricant infused borders both contribute to the formation of bacterial bridges. The geometry and distribution of bridges can be controlled using predesigned superhydrophobic-hydrophilic patterns. It is demonstrated that bacterial bridges connecting bacteria colonies act as bio-microfluidic channels and can transport liquids, nutrients, and antibacterial substances between neighboring bacteria clusters. Thus, bacterial bridges can be used to study formation, spreading, and development of bacterial colonies, and communication within and between isolated biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxi Lei
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems - Functional Molecular Systems (IBCS-FMS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz Platz 1, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, 76344, Germany
| | - Peter Krolla
- Institute of Functional Interfaces, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz Platz 1, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, 76344, Germany
| | - Thomas Schwartz
- Institute of Functional Interfaces, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz Platz 1, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, 76344, Germany
| | - Pavel A Levkin
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems - Functional Molecular Systems (IBCS-FMS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz Platz 1, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, 76344, Germany
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, 76131, Germany
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8
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Physical methods for controlling bacterial colonization on polymer surfaces. Biotechnol Adv 2020; 43:107586. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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9
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Greca LG, Rafiee M, Karakoç A, Lehtonen J, Mattos BD, Tardy BL, Rojas OJ. Guiding Bacterial Activity for Biofabrication of Complex Materials via Controlled Wetting of Superhydrophobic Surfaces. ACS NANO 2020; 14:12929-12937. [PMID: 33016698 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c03999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Superhydrophobic surfaces are promising for preventing fouling and the formation of biofilms, with important implications in the food chain, maritime transport, and health sciences, among others. In this work, we exploit the interplay between wetting principles of superhydrophobic surfaces and microbial fouling for advanced three-dimensional (3D) biofabrication of biofilms. We utilize hydrostatic and capillary pressures to finely control the air-water interface and the aerotaxis-driven biofabrication on superhydrophobic surfaces. Superhydrophobic 3D molds are produced by a simple surface modification that partially embeds hydrophobic particles in silicone rubber. Thereafter, the molds allow the templating of the air-water interface of the culture medium, where the aerobic nanocellulose-producing bacteria (Komagataeibacter medellinensis) are incubated. The biofabricated replicas are hollow and seamless nanofibrous objects with a controlled morphology. Gradients of thickness, topographical feature size, and fiber orientation on the biofilm are obtained by controlling wetting, incubation time, and nutrient availability. Furthermore, we demonstrate that capillary length limitations are overcome by using pressurized closed molds, whereby a persistent air plastron allows the formation of 3D microstructures, regardless of their morphological complexity. We also demonstrate that interfacial biofabrication is maintained for at least 12 days without observable fouling of the mold surface. In summary, we achieve controlled biofouling of the air-water interface as imposed by the experimental framework under controlled wetting. The latter is central to both microorganism-based biofabrication and fouling, which are major factors connecting nanoscience, synthetic biology, and microbiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz G Greca
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16300, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Mahdi Rafiee
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16300, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Alp Karakoç
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16300, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
- Department of Communications and Networking, School of Electrical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 15500, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Janika Lehtonen
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16300, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Bruno D Mattos
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16300, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Blaise L Tardy
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16300, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Orlando J Rojas
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16300, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
- Departments of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chemistry, and Wood Science, University of British Columbia, 2360 East Mall, Vancouver BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
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10
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Yu L, Si P, Bauman L, Zhao B. Synergetic Combination of Interfacial Engineering and Shape-Changing Modulation for Biomimetic Soft Robotic Devices. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:3279-3291. [PMID: 32125871 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b03773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Robotics is a frontal interdisciplinary subject across the fields of mechanical engineering, chemical and materials engineering, artificial intelligence, and nanotechnology. Robotic devices with a variety of frameworks, functionalities, and actuation modes have been developed and employed in the manufacture of advanced materials and devices with improved efficiency and automation. In recent years, soft robots have attracted a significant amount of interest among scientific researchers and technological engineers because they can offer the desired safety, adaptability, sensibility, and dexterity that conventional robotics cannot deliver. To date, emulating living creatures in nature has been a promising approach to design soft robots. For living creatures, both body deformation and their surface characteristic are essential for them to function in dynamic ecological environments. Body deformation offers athletic ability while surface characteristics provide extraordinary adaptable interactions with the environment. In this article, we discuss the recent progress of emulating the body deformation of living creatures such as shrinking/expanding, bending, and twisting and programmable deformations based on the manipulation of shape-changing behaviors of liquid-crystal polymeric materials (LCPs) and the interfacial technologies to build up various microstructures similar to the interface of living creatures. We further review the pioneering work that integrates interfacial engineering and the shape-changing modulation of LCPs to develop biomimetic soft robotic devices. We also provide an outlook for opportunities and challenges in the design and fabrication of advanced biomimetic soft robots based on the synergetic combination of interfacial engineering and shape-changing modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Institute for Polymer Research, Centre of Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 200 University Avenue, West Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Pengxiang Si
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Institute for Polymer Research, Centre of Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 200 University Avenue, West Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Lukas Bauman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Institute for Polymer Research, Centre of Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 200 University Avenue, West Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Boxin Zhao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Institute for Polymer Research, Centre of Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 200 University Avenue, West Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
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11
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Pokrajac L, Nazar L, Chen Z, Mitra S. The Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology: Societal Impact and a Sustainable Future. ACS NANO 2019; 13:12247-12253. [PMID: 31770861 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b08356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
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12
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UV Light Assisted Coating Method of Polyphenol Caffeic Acid and Mediated Immobilization of Metallic Silver Particles for Antibacterial Implant Surface Modification. Polymers (Basel) 2019; 11:polym11071200. [PMID: 31323751 PMCID: PMC6680839 DOI: 10.3390/polym11071200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Titanium implants are extensively used in biomedical applications due to their excellent biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and superb mechanical stability. In this work, we present the use of polycaffeic acid (PCA) to immobilize metallic silver on the surface of titanium materials to prevent implant bacterial infection. Caffeic acid is a plant-derived phenolic compound, rich in catechol moieties and it can form functional coatings using alkaline buffers and with UV irradiation. This combination can trigger oxidative polymerization and deposition on the surface of metallic substrates. Using PCA can also give advantages in bone implants in decreasing inflammation by decelerating macrophage and osteoclast activity. Here, chemical and physical properties were investigated using FE-SEM, EDS, XPS, AFM, and contact angle. The in vitro biocompatibility and antibacterial studies show that PCA with metallic silver can inhibit bacterial growth, and proliferation of MC-3T3 cells was observed. Therefore, our results suggest that the introduced approach can be considered as a potential method for functional implant coating application in the orthopedic field.
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13
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Lei W, Bruchmann J, Rüping JL, Levkin PA, Schwartz T. Biofilm Bridges Forming Structural Networks on Patterned Lubricant-Infused Surfaces. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2019; 6:1900519. [PMID: 31380192 PMCID: PMC6662098 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201900519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Despite many decades of research, biofilm architecture and spreading mechanisms are still not clear because of the heterogenous 3D structure within biofilms. Here, patterned "slippery" lubricant-infused porous surfaces are utilized to study biofilm structure of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Staphylococcus aureus. It is found that bacteria are able to spread over bacteria-repellent lubricant-infused regions by using a mechanism, termed "biofilm bridges". Here, it is demonstrated that bacteria use bridges to form interconnected networks between distant biofilm colonies. Detailed structure of bridges shows a spatial distribution of bacteria with an accumulation of respiratory active bacteria and biomass in the bridges. The core-shell structure of bridges formed by two-species mixed population is illustrated. It is demonstrated that eDNA and nutrients have a strong effect on biofilm bridges formation. Thus, it is believed that biofilm bridging is important to reveal the structure and communication within biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxi Lei
- Institute of Toxicology and GeneticsKarlsruhe Institute of TechnologyHermann‐von‐Helmholtz Platz 176344Eggenstein‐LeopoldshafenGermany
| | - Julia Bruchmann
- Institute of Functional InterfacesKarlsruhe Institute of TechnologyHermann‐von‐Helmholtz Platz 176344Eggenstein‐LeopoldshafenGermany
| | - Jan Lars Rüping
- Institute of Functional InterfacesKarlsruhe Institute of TechnologyHermann‐von‐Helmholtz Platz 176344Eggenstein‐LeopoldshafenGermany
| | - Pavel A. Levkin
- Institute of Toxicology and GeneticsKarlsruhe Institute of TechnologyHermann‐von‐Helmholtz Platz 176344Eggenstein‐LeopoldshafenGermany
- Institute of Organic ChemistryKarlsruhe Institute of Technology76131KarlsruheGermany
| | - Thomas Schwartz
- Institute of Functional InterfacesKarlsruhe Institute of TechnologyHermann‐von‐Helmholtz Platz 176344Eggenstein‐LeopoldshafenGermany
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14
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Hubbe H, Mendes E, Boukany PE. Polymeric Nanowires for Diagnostic Applications. MICROMACHINES 2019; 10:mi10040225. [PMID: 30934898 PMCID: PMC6523414 DOI: 10.3390/mi10040225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Polymer nanowire-related research has shown considerable progress over the last decade. The wide variety of materials and the multitude of well-established chemical modifications have made polymer nanowires interesting as a functional part of a diagnostic biosensing device. This review provides an overview of relevant publications addressing the needs for a nanowire-based sensor for biomolecules. Working our way towards the detection methods itself, we review different nanowire fabrication methods and materials. Especially for an electrical signal read-out, the nanowire should persist in a single-wire configuration with well-defined positioning. Thus, the possibility of the alignment of nanowires is discussed. While some fabrication methods immanently yield an aligned single wire, other methods result in disordered structures and have to be manipulated into the desired configuration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik Hubbe
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629HZ Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Eduardo Mendes
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629HZ Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Pouyan E Boukany
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629HZ Delft, The Netherlands.
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15
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Hu MX, Li JN, Guo Q, Zhu YQ, Niu HM. Probiotics Biofilm-Integrated Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes: A New Starter Culture for Fermented Milk Production. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2019; 67:3198-3208. [PMID: 30838858 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b05024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Electrospun nanofiber membranes are widely investigated in the past few decades as candidates for tissue engineering, which can mimic natural extracellular matrix (ECM) and improve cell adhesion, proliferation, and expression on nanofiber membranes. However, the formation of bacterial biofilms on nanofiber membranes and application of the biofilm-integrated nanofiber membranes remain largely unknown. Here, electrospun cellulose acetate nanofiber membranes are first utilized as scaffold materials for Lactobacillus plantarum ( L. plantarum) biofilm formation. Nanofiber membranes proved to be an excellent scaffold for bacteria biofilm with high stability, where biofilms were interlocked with nanofibers forming a cohesive structure. In comparison with planktonic bacteria, L. plantarum biofilms on nanofiber membranes show excellent gastrointestinal resistance. Instead of decreasing, the number of viable cells increased after 3 h digestion in vitro. The L. plantarum biofilm-integrated nanofiber membranes were used as reusable starter cultures for fermented milk production showing excellent fermentative ability and higher survival of L. plantarum during shelf life. The viable cells in fermented milk remained at 11 log CFU/g throughout the reusable batches, which is far above the required value of 7 log CFU/g in commercial products. In addition, the produced fermented milk possesses shorter fermentation time and higher survival of probiotics during shelf life. The results suggest electrospun nanofiber membranes are ideal scaffold materials for bacteria biofilms immobilization in biotechnology and fermentation engineering, which broaden the potential use of electrospun nanofiber membranes in microbiology and strengthen the application of biofilms in fermentation engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Xin Hu
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology , Zhejiang Gongshang University , Hangzhou 310018 , P. R. China
| | - Ji-Nian Li
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology , Zhejiang Gongshang University , Hangzhou 310018 , P. R. China
| | - Qian Guo
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology , Zhejiang Gongshang University , Hangzhou 310018 , P. R. China
| | - Ya-Qian Zhu
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology , Zhejiang Gongshang University , Hangzhou 310018 , P. R. China
| | - Hong-Mei Niu
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology , Zhejiang Gongshang University , Hangzhou 310018 , P. R. China
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16
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17
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Susarrey-Arce A, Hernández-Sánchez JF, Marcello M, Diaz-Fernandez Y, Oknianska A, Sorzabal-Bellido I, Tiggelaar R, Lohse D, Gardeniers H, Snoeijer J, Marin A, Raval R. Bacterial Footprints in Elastic Pillared Microstructures. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2018; 1:1294-1300. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.8b00176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Susarrey-Arce
- Open Innovation Hub for Antimicrobial Surfaces at the Surface Science Research Centre and Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Oxford Street, Liverpool L69 3BX, United Kingdom
| | - José Federico Hernández-Sánchez
- Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering and Clean Combustion Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Marco Marcello
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Liverpool L69 7ZB, United Kingdom
| | - Yuri Diaz-Fernandez
- Open Innovation Hub for Antimicrobial Surfaces at the Surface Science Research Centre and Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Oxford Street, Liverpool L69 3BX, United Kingdom
| | - Alina Oknianska
- School of Health Sciences, Liverpool Hope University, Hope Park, Liverpool L16 9JD, United Kingdom
| | - Ioritz Sorzabal-Bellido
- Open Innovation Hub for Antimicrobial Surfaces at the Surface Science Research Centre and Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Oxford Street, Liverpool L69 3BX, United Kingdom
| | - Roald Tiggelaar
- NanoLab Cleanroom, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, Enschede 7500AE, The Netherlands
| | - Detlef Lohse
- Physics of Fluids Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, J.M. Burgers Centre for Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, Enschede 7500AE, The Netherlands
| | - Han Gardeniers
- Mesoscale Chemical Systems, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, Enschede 7500AE, The Netherlands
| | - Jacco Snoeijer
- Physics of Fluids Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, J.M. Burgers Centre for Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, Enschede 7500AE, The Netherlands
| | - Alvaro Marin
- Physics of Fluids Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, J.M. Burgers Centre for Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, Enschede 7500AE, The Netherlands
| | - Rasmita Raval
- Open Innovation Hub for Antimicrobial Surfaces at the Surface Science Research Centre and Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Oxford Street, Liverpool L69 3BX, United Kingdom
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18
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Tripathy A, Kumar A, Sreedharan S, Muralidharan G, Pramanik A, Nandi D, Sen P. Fabrication of Low-Cost Flexible Superhydrophobic Antibacterial Surface with Dual-Scale Roughness. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2018; 4:2213-2223. [PMID: 33435043 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.8b00209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we report a large-area fabrication of a flexible superhydrophobic bactericidal surface decorated with copper hydroxide nanowires. This involves a simple two-step method which involves growth followed by transfer of the nanowires onto the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface by mechanical peeling. Additional roughness in PDMS is obtained through incomplete wetting of the nanoscale gaps which leads to dual-scale roughness and superhydrophobicity with a contact angle of 169° and hysteresis of less than 2°. The simplicity of the process makes it low-cost and easily scalable. The process allows fabrication of nonplanar 3D surfaces. The surface shows blood repellence and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli with more than 5 log reductions in bacterial colony. The surface also shows hemocompatible behavior, making it suitable for healthcare applications. The fabricated surface is found to be extremely robust against stretching, twisting, sandpaper abrasion, solid weight impact, and tape peel test. The surface is found to withstand human weight multiple times without losing its hydrophobicity, making it suitable for several practical scenarios in healthcare and household applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abinash Tripathy
- Centre for Nano Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Arvind Kumar
- Centre for Nano Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Syama Sreedharan
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | | | - Amitava Pramanik
- Unilever R&D Bangalore, 64, Main Road, Whitefield, Bangalore 560066, India
| | - Dipankar Nandi
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Prosenjit Sen
- Centre for Nano Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
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19
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Seo BB, Jahed Z, Coggan JA, Chau YY, Rogowski JL, Gu FX, Wen W, Mofrad MRK, Tsui TY. Mechanical Contact Characteristics of PC3 Human Prostate Cancer Cells on Complex-Shaped Silicon Micropillars. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2017; 10:E892. [PMID: 28767082 PMCID: PMC5578258 DOI: 10.3390/ma10080892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In this study we investigated the contact characteristics of human prostate cancer cells (PC3) on silicon micropillar arrays with complex shapes by using high-resolution confocal fluorescence microscopy techniques. These arrays consist of micropillars that are of various cross-sectional geometries which produce different deformation profiles in adherent cells. Fluorescence micrographs reveal that some DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole)-stained nuclei from cells attached to the pillars develop nanometer scale slits and contain low concentrations of DNA. The lengths of these slits, and their frequency of occurrence, were characterized for various cross-sectional geometries. These DNA-depleted features are only observed in locations below the pillar's top surfaces. Results produced in this study indicate that surface topography can induce unique nanometer scale features in the PC3 cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon B Seo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | - Zeinab Jahed
- Departments of Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering, University of California Berkeley, 208A Stanley Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
| | - Jennifer A Coggan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | - Yeung Yeung Chau
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Jacob L Rogowski
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | - Frank X Gu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | - Weijia Wen
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Mohammad R K Mofrad
- Departments of Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering, University of California Berkeley, 208A Stanley Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
| | - Ting Yiu Tsui
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada.
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20
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Leonard H, Halachmi S, Ben-Dov N, Nativ O, Segal E. Unraveling Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Bacterial Networks on Micropillar Architectures Using Intrinsic Phase-Shift Spectroscopy. ACS NANO 2017; 11:6167-6177. [PMID: 28485961 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.7b02217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
With global antimicrobial resistance becoming increasingly detrimental to society, improving current clinical antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) is crucial to allow physicians to initiate appropriate antibiotic treatment as early as possible, reducing not only mortality rates but also the emergence of resistant pathogens. In this work, we tackle the main bottlenecks in clinical AST by designing biofunctionalized silicon micropillar arrays to provide both a preferable solid-liquid interface for bacteria networking and a simultaneous transducing element that monitors the response of bacteria when exposed to chosen antibiotics in real time. We harness the intrinsic ability of the micropillar architectures to relay optical phase-shift reflectometric interference spectroscopic measurements (referred to as PRISM) and employ it as a platform for culture-free, label-free phenotypic AST. The responses of E. coli to various concentrations of five clinically relevant antibiotics are optically tracked by PRISM, allowing for the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values to be determined and compared to both standard broth microdilution testing and clinic-based automated AST system readouts. Capture of bacteria within these microtopologies, followed by incubation of the cells with the appropriate antibiotic solution, yields rapid determinations of antibiotic susceptibility. This platform not only provides accurate MIC determinations in a rapid manner (total assay time of 2-3 h versus 8 h with automated AST systems) but can also be employed as an advantageous method to differentiate bacteriostatic and bactericidal antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Leonard
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, ‡Department of Urology, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, and §The Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology , Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Sarel Halachmi
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, ‡Department of Urology, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, and §The Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology , Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Nadav Ben-Dov
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, ‡Department of Urology, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, and §The Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology , Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Ofer Nativ
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, ‡Department of Urology, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, and §The Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology , Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Ester Segal
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, ‡Department of Urology, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, and §The Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology , Haifa 3200003, Israel
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21
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Moussa HI, Logan M, Siow GC, Phann DL, Rao Z, Aucoin MG, Tsui TY. Manipulating mammalian cell morphologies using chemical-mechanical polished integrated circuit chips. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF ADVANCED MATERIALS 2017; 18:839-856. [PMID: 29152017 PMCID: PMC5678500 DOI: 10.1080/14686996.2017.1388135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Tungsten chemical-mechanical polished integrated circuits were used to study the alignment and immobilization of mammalian (Vero) cells. These devices consist of blanket silicon oxide thin films embedded with micro- and nano-meter scale tungsten metal line structures on the surface. The final surfaces are extremely flat and smooth across the entire substrate, with a roughness in the order of nanometers. Vero cells were deposited on the surface and allowed to adhere. Microscopy examinations revealed that cells have a strong preference to adhere to tungsten over silicon oxide surfaces with up to 99% of cells adhering to the tungsten portion of the surface. Cells self-aligned and elongated into long threads to maximize contact with isolated tungsten lines as thin as 180 nm. The orientation of the Vero cells showed sensitivity to the tungsten line geometric parameters, such as line width and spacing. Up to 93% of cells on 10 μm wide comb structures were aligned within ± 20° of the metal line axis. In contrast, only ~22% of cells incubated on 0.18 μm comb patterned tungsten lines were oriented within the same angular interval. This phenomenon is explained using a simple model describing cellular geometry as a function of pattern width and spacing, which showed that cells will rearrange their morphology to maximize their contact to the embedded tungsten. Finally, it was discovered that the materials could be reused after cleaning the surfaces, while maintaining cell alignment capability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan I. Moussa
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
- Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Megan Logan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
- Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Geoffrey C. Siow
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
- Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Darron L. Phann
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
- Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Zheng Rao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
- Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Marc G. Aucoin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
- Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Ting Y. Tsui
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
- Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
- Corresponding author.
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