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O'Callaghan JA, Kamat NP, Vargo KB, Chattaraj R, Lee D, Hammer DA. A microfluidic platform for the synthesis of polymer and polymer-protein-based protocells. THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. E, SOFT MATTER 2024; 47:37. [PMID: 38829453 PMCID: PMC11147907 DOI: 10.1140/epje/s10189-024-00428-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we demonstrate the fabrication of polymersomes, protein-blended polymersomes, and polymeric microcapsules using droplet microfluidics. Polymersomes with uniform, single bilayers and controlled diameters are assembled from water-in-oil-in-water double-emulsion droplets. This technique relies on adjusting the interfacial energies of the droplet to completely separate the polymer-stabilized inner core from the oil shell. Protein-blended polymersomes are prepared by dissolving protein in the inner and outer phases of polymer-stabilized droplets. Cell-sized polymeric microcapsules are assembled by size reduction in the inner core through osmosis followed by evaporation of the middle phase. All methods are developed and validated using the same glass-capillary microfluidic apparatus. This integrative approach not only demonstrates the versatility of our setup, but also holds significant promise for standardizing and customizing the production of polymer-based artificial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Ann O'Callaghan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 210 S 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Neha P Kamat
- Department of Biongineering, University of Pennsylvania, 210 S 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Kevin B Vargo
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 210 S 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Rajarshi Chattaraj
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 210 S 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Daeyeon Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 210 S 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Daniel A Hammer
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 210 S 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Biongineering, University of Pennsylvania, 210 S 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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Yu J, Cheng W, Ni J, Li C, Su X, Yan H, Bao F, Hou L. High-Speed Generation of Microbubbles with Constant Cumulative Production in a Glass Capillary Microfluidic Bubble Generator. MICROMACHINES 2024; 15:752. [PMID: 38930722 PMCID: PMC11205313 DOI: 10.3390/mi15060752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
This work reports a simple bubble generator for the high-speed generation of microbubbles with constant cumulative production. To achieve this, a gas-liquid co-flowing microfluidic device with a tiny capillary orifice as small as 5 μm is fabricated to produce monodisperse microbubbles. The diameter of the microbubbles can be adjusted precisely by tuning the input gas pressure and flow rate of the continuous liquid phase. The co-flowing structure ensures the uniformity of the generated microbubbles, and the surfactant in the liquid phase prevents coalescence of the collected microbubbles. The diameter coefficient of variation (CV) of the generated microbubbles can reach a minimum of 1.3%. Additionally, the relationship between microbubble diameter and the gas channel orifice is studied using the low Capillary number (Ca) and Weber number (We) of the liquid phase. Moreover, by maintaining a consistent gas input pressure, the CV of the cumulative microbubble volume can reach 3.6% regardless of the flow rate of the liquid phase. This method not only facilitates the generation of microbubbles with morphologic stability under variable flow conditions, but also ensures that the cumulative microbubble production over a certain period of time remains constant, which is important for the volume-dominated application of chromatographic analysis and the component analysis of natural gas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Yu
- Key Laboratory of Measuring & Online Assessment of Energy for Jiangsu Province Market Regulation, Suzhou Institute of Metrology, Suzhou 215128, China (C.L.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Flow Measurement Technology, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Wei Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Measuring & Online Assessment of Energy for Jiangsu Province Market Regulation, Suzhou Institute of Metrology, Suzhou 215128, China (C.L.)
| | - Jinchun Ni
- Key Laboratory of Measuring & Online Assessment of Energy for Jiangsu Province Market Regulation, Suzhou Institute of Metrology, Suzhou 215128, China (C.L.)
| | - Changwu Li
- Key Laboratory of Measuring & Online Assessment of Energy for Jiangsu Province Market Regulation, Suzhou Institute of Metrology, Suzhou 215128, China (C.L.)
| | - Xinggen Su
- Dalian Institute of Metrology Inspection and Testing Co., Ltd., Dalian 116000, China
| | - Hui Yan
- School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Fubing Bao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Flow Measurement Technology, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Likai Hou
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Flow Measurement Technology, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
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3
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Cell-sized asymmetric phospholipid-amphiphilic protein vesicles with growth, fission, and molecule transportation. iScience 2023; 26:106086. [PMID: 36843838 PMCID: PMC9950948 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipid vesicles, which mimic cell membranes in structure and components, have been used to study the origin of life and artificial cell construction. A different approach to developing cell-mimicking systems focuses on the formation of protein- or polypeptide-based vesicles. However, micro-sized protein vesicles that are similar in membrane dynamics to the cell and that reconstitute membrane proteins are difficult to form. In this study, we generated cell-sized asymmetric phospholipid-amphiphilic protein (oleosin) vesicles that allow the reconstitution of membrane proteins and the growth and fission of vesicles. These vesicles are composed of a lipid membrane on the outer leaflet and an oleosin membrane on the inner leaflet. Further, we elucidated a mechanism for the growth and fission of cell-sized asymmetric phospholipid-oleosin vesicles by feeding phospholipid micelles. Our asymmetric phospholipid-oleosin vesicles with the advantages of the lipid leaflet and the protein leaflet will potentially promote understanding of biochemistry and synthetic biology.
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Cen J, Ye X, Liu X, Pan W, Zhang L, Zhang G, He N, Shen A, Hu J, Liu S. Fluorinated Copolypeptide‐Stabilized Microbubbles with Maleimide‐Decorated Surfaces as Long‐Term Ultrasound Contrast Agents. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202209610. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.202209610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Cen
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging & Department of Pharmacy The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC Division of Life Sciences and Medicine University of Science and Technology of China 17 Lujiang Road Hefei, Anhui Province 230001 China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry Department of Polymer Science and Engineering University of Science and Technology of China 96 Jinzhai Road Hefei, Anhui Province 230026 China
| | - Xianjun Ye
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging & Department of Pharmacy The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC Division of Life Sciences and Medicine University of Science and Technology of China 17 Lujiang Road Hefei, Anhui Province 230001 China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging & Department of Pharmacy The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC Division of Life Sciences and Medicine University of Science and Technology of China 17 Lujiang Road Hefei, Anhui Province 230001 China
| | - Wenhao Pan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry Department of Polymer Science and Engineering University of Science and Technology of China 96 Jinzhai Road Hefei, Anhui Province 230026 China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging & Department of Pharmacy The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC Division of Life Sciences and Medicine University of Science and Technology of China 17 Lujiang Road Hefei, Anhui Province 230001 China
| | - Guoying Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry Department of Polymer Science and Engineering University of Science and Technology of China 96 Jinzhai Road Hefei, Anhui Province 230026 China
| | - Nianan He
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging & Department of Pharmacy The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC Division of Life Sciences and Medicine University of Science and Technology of China 17 Lujiang Road Hefei, Anhui Province 230001 China
| | - Aizong Shen
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging & Department of Pharmacy The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC Division of Life Sciences and Medicine University of Science and Technology of China 17 Lujiang Road Hefei, Anhui Province 230001 China
| | - Jinming Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry Department of Polymer Science and Engineering University of Science and Technology of China 96 Jinzhai Road Hefei, Anhui Province 230026 China
| | - Shiyong Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry Department of Polymer Science and Engineering University of Science and Technology of China 96 Jinzhai Road Hefei, Anhui Province 230026 China
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5
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Cen J, Ye X, Liu X, Pan W, Zhang L, Zhang G, He N, Shen A, Hu J, Liu S. Fluorinated Copolypeptide‐Stabilized Microbubbles with Maleimide‐Decorated Surfaces as Long‐Term Ultrasound Contrast Agents. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202209610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Cen
- China University of Science and Technology Department of Polymer Science and Engineering CHINA
| | - Xianjun Ye
- China University of Science and Technology Department of Ultrasound Imaging CHINA
| | - Xiao Liu
- China University of Science and Technology Department of Ultrasound Imaging CHINA
| | - Wenhao Pan
- China University of Science and Technology Department of Polymer Science and Engineering CHINA
| | - Lei Zhang
- China University of Science and Technology Department of Pharmacy CHINA
| | - Guoying Zhang
- China University of Science and Technology Department of Polymer Science and Engineering CHINA
| | - Nianan He
- China University of Science and Technology Department of Ultrasound Imaging CHINA
| | - Aizong Shen
- China University of Science and Technology Department of Pharmacy CHINA
| | - Jinming Hu
- China University of Science and Technology Department of Polymer Science and Engineering 96 Jinzhai RoadDepartment of Polymer Science and EngineeringUniversity of Science and Technology of China 230026 Hefei CHINA
| | - Shiyong Liu
- University of Science and Technology of China Department of Polymer Science and Engineering 96 Jinzhai Road 230026 Hefei CHINA
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6
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Soft microswimmers: Material capabilities and biomedical applications. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2022.101609] [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]
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Microbubbles Stabilized by Protein Shell: From Pioneering Ultrasound Contrast Agents to Advanced Theranostic Systems. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14061236. [PMID: 35745808 PMCID: PMC9227336 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14061236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ultrasound is a widely-used imaging modality in clinics as a low-cost, non-invasive, non-radiative procedure allowing therapists faster decision-making. Microbubbles have been used as ultrasound contrast agents for decades, while recent attention has been attracted to consider them as stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems. Pioneering microbubbles were Albunex with a protein shell composed of human serum albumin, which entered clinical practice in 1993. However, current research expanded the set of proteins for a microbubble shell beyond albumin and applications of protein microbubbles beyond ultrasound imaging. Hence, this review summarizes all-known protein microbubbles over decades with a critical evaluation of formulations and applications to optimize the safety (low toxicity and high biocompatibility) as well as imaging efficiency. We provide a comprehensive overview of (1) proteins involved in microbubble formulation, (2) peculiarities of preparation of protein stabilized microbubbles with consideration of large-scale production, (3) key chemical factors of stabilization and functionalization of protein-shelled microbubbles, and (4) biomedical applications beyond ultrasound imaging (multimodal imaging, drug/gene delivery with attention to anticancer treatment, antibacterial activity, biosensing). Presented critical evaluation of the current state-of-the-art for protein microbubbles should focus the field on relevant strategies in microbubble formulation and application for short-term clinical translation. Thus, a protein bubble-based platform is very perspective for theranostic application in clinics.
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Ramos R, Bernard J, Ganachaud F, Miserez A. Protein‐Based Encapsulation Strategies: Toward Micro‐ and Nanoscale Carriers with Increased Functionality. SMALL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/smsc.202100095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Ramos
- Université de Lyon INSA Lyon CNRS IMP 5223 Villeurbanne Cedex 69621 France
- INSA-Lyon, IMP Villeurbanne F-69621 France
- CNRS, UMR 5223 Ingénierie des Matériaux Polymères Villeurbanne F-69621 France
| | - Julien Bernard
- Université de Lyon INSA Lyon CNRS IMP 5223 Villeurbanne Cedex 69621 France
- INSA-Lyon, IMP Villeurbanne F-69621 France
- CNRS, UMR 5223 Ingénierie des Matériaux Polymères Villeurbanne F-69621 France
| | - François Ganachaud
- Université de Lyon INSA Lyon CNRS IMP 5223 Villeurbanne Cedex 69621 France
- INSA-Lyon, IMP Villeurbanne F-69621 France
- CNRS, UMR 5223 Ingénierie des Matériaux Polymères Villeurbanne F-69621 France
| | - Ali Miserez
- Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering Nanyang Technological University (NTU) 50 Nanyang Avenue Singapore 637 553 Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences NTU 59 Nanyang Drive Singapore 636921 Singapore
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9
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Wu J, Yadavali S, Lee D, Issadore DA. Scaling up the throughput of microfluidic droplet-based materials synthesis: A review of recent progress and outlook. APPLIED PHYSICS REVIEWS 2021; 8:031304. [PMID: 34484549 PMCID: PMC8293697 DOI: 10.1063/5.0049897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The last two decades have witnessed tremendous progress in the development of microfluidic chips that generate micrometer- and nanometer-scale materials. These chips allow precise control over composition, structure, and particle uniformity not achievable using conventional methods. These microfluidic-generated materials have demonstrated enormous potential for applications in medicine, agriculture, food processing, acoustic, and optical meta-materials, and more. However, because the basis of these chips' performance is their precise control of fluid flows at the micrometer scale, their operation is limited to the inherently low throughputs dictated by the physics of multiphasic flows in micro-channels. This limitation on throughput results in material production rates that are too low for most practical applications. In recent years, however, significant progress has been made to tackle this challenge by designing microchip architectures that incorporate multiple microfluidic devices onto single chips. These devices can be operated in parallel to increase throughput while retaining the benefits of microfluidic particle generation. In this review, we will highlight recent work in this area and share our perspective on the key unsolved challenges and opportunities in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyu Wu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | | | - Daeyeon Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
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10
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Mujtaba J, Liu J, Dey KK, Li T, Chakraborty R, Xu K, Makarov D, Barmin RA, Gorin DA, Tolstoy VP, Huang G, Solovev AA, Mei Y. Micro-Bio-Chemo-Mechanical-Systems: Micromotors, Microfluidics, and Nanozymes for Biomedical Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2007465. [PMID: 33893682 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202007465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Wireless nano-/micromotors powered by chemical reactions and/or external fields generate motive forces, perform tasks, and significantly extend short-range dynamic responses of passive biomedical microcarriers. However, before micromotors can be translated into clinical use, several major problems, including the biocompatibility of materials, the toxicity of chemical fuels, and deep tissue imaging methods, must be solved. Nanomaterials with enzyme-like characteristics (e.g., catalase, oxidase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase), that is, nanozymes, can significantly expand the scope of micromotors' chemical fuels. A convergence of nanozymes, micromotors, and microfluidics can lead to a paradigm shift in the fabrication of multifunctional micromotors in reasonable quantities, encapsulation of desired subsystems, and engineering of FDA-approved core-shell structures with tuneable biological, physical, chemical, and mechanical properties. Microfluidic methods are used to prepare stable bubbles/microbubbles and capsules integrating ultrasound, optoacoustic, fluorescent, and magnetic resonance imaging modalities. The aim here is to discuss an interdisciplinary approach of three independent emerging topics: micromotors, nanozymes, and microfluidics to creatively: 1) embrace new ideas, 2) think across boundaries, and 3) solve problems whose solutions are beyond the scope of a single discipline toward the development of micro-bio-chemo-mechanical-systems for diverse bioapplications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jawayria Mujtaba
- Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, P. R. China
| | - Jinrun Liu
- Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, P. R. China
| | - Krishna K Dey
- Discipline of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382355, India
| | - Tianlong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, P. R. China
| | - Rik Chakraborty
- Discipline of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382355, India
| | - Kailiang Xu
- Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, P. R. China
- School of Information Science and Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, P. R. China
| | - Denys Makarov
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e.V., Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Roman A Barmin
- Center of Photonics and Quantum Materials, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, 3 Nobelya Str, Moscow, 121205, Russia
| | - Dmitry A Gorin
- Center of Photonics and Quantum Materials, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, 3 Nobelya Str, Moscow, 121205, Russia
| | - Valeri P Tolstoy
- Institute of Chemistry, Saint Petersburg State University, 26 Universitetskii Prospect, Petergof, St. Petersburg, 198504, Russia
| | - Gaoshan Huang
- Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, P. R. China
| | - Alexander A Solovev
- Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, P. R. China
| | - Yongfeng Mei
- Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, P. R. China
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11
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The Present and Future Role of Microfluidics for Protein and Peptide-Based Therapeutics and Diagnostics. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11094109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The implementation of peptide-based molecules within the medical field has vast potential, owing to their unique nature and predictable physicochemical profiles. However, peptide therapeutic usage is hindered by delivery-related challenges, meaning that their formulations must be altered to overcome these limitations. This process could be propelled by applying microfluidics (MFs) due to its highly controllable and adaptable attributes; however, therapeutic research within this field is extremely limited. Peptides possess multifunctional roles within therapeutic formulations, ranging from enhancing target specificity to acting as the active component of the medicine. Diagnostically, MFs are well explored in the field of peptides, as MFs provide an unsullied platform to provide fast yet accurate examinations. The capacity to add attributes, such as integrated sensors and microwells, to the MF chip, only enhances the attractiveness of MFs as a diagnostic platform. The structural individuality of peptides makes them prime candidates for diagnostic purposes, for example, antigen detection and isolation. Therefore, this review provides a useful insight into the current applications of MFs for peptide-based therapy and diagnostics and highlights potential gaps in the field that are yet to be explored or optimized.
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Jo YK, Lee D. Biopolymer Microparticles Prepared by Microfluidics for Biomedical Applications. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e1903736. [PMID: 31559690 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201903736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Biopolymers are macromolecules that are derived from natural sources and have attractive properties for a plethora of biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, low antigenicity, and high bioactivity. Microfluidics has emerged as a powerful approach for fabricating polymeric microparticles (MPs) with designed structures and compositions through precise manipulation of multiphasic flows at the microscale. The synergistic combination of materials chemistry afforded by biopolymers and precision provided by microfluidic capabilities make it possible to design engineered biopolymer-based MPs with well-defined physicochemical properties that are capable of enabling an efficient delivery of therapeutics, 3D culture of cells, and sensing of biomolecules. Here, an overview of microfluidic approaches is provided for the design and fabrication of functional MPs from three classes of biopolymers including polysaccharides, proteins, and microbial polymers, and their advances for biomedical applications are highlighted. An outlook into the future research on microfluidically-produced biopolymer MPs for biomedical applications is also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Kee Jo
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Daeyeon Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
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Lin X, Xu B, Zhu H, Liu J, Solovev A, Mei Y. Requirement and Development of Hydrogel Micromotors towards Biomedical Applications. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2020. [PMID: 32728669 DOI: 10.1155/2020/7659749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
With controllable size, biocompatibility, porosity, injectability, responsivity, diffusion time, reaction, separation, permeation, and release of molecular species, hydrogel microparticles achieve multiple advantages over bulk hydrogels for specific biomedical procedures. Moreover, so far studies mostly concentrate on local responses of hydrogels to chemical and/or external stimuli, which significantly limit the scope of their applications. Tetherless micromotors are autonomous microdevices capable of converting local chemical energy or the energy of external fields into motive forces for self-propelled or externally powered/controlled motion. If hydrogels can be integrated with micromotors, their applicability can be significantly extended and can lead to fully controllable responsive chemomechanical biomicromachines. However, to achieve these challenging goals, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and motive mechanisms of hydrogel micromotors need to be simultaneously integrated. This review summarizes recent achievements in the field of micromotors and hydrogels and proposes next steps required for the development of hydrogel micromotors, which become increasingly important for in vivo and in vitro bioapplications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Lin
- Department of Materials Science, State Key Laboratory of ASIC and Systems, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Borui Xu
- Department of Materials Science, State Key Laboratory of ASIC and Systems, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Hong Zhu
- Department of Materials Science, State Key Laboratory of ASIC and Systems, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jinrun Liu
- Department of Materials Science, State Key Laboratory of ASIC and Systems, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Alexander Solovev
- Department of Materials Science, State Key Laboratory of ASIC and Systems, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yongfeng Mei
- Department of Materials Science, State Key Laboratory of ASIC and Systems, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
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14
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Lin X, Xu B, Zhu H, Liu J, Solovev A, Mei Y. Requirement and Development of Hydrogel Micromotors towards Biomedical Applications. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2020; 2020:7659749. [PMID: 32728669 PMCID: PMC7368969 DOI: 10.34133/2020/7659749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
With controllable size, biocompatibility, porosity, injectability, responsivity, diffusion time, reaction, separation, permeation, and release of molecular species, hydrogel microparticles achieve multiple advantages over bulk hydrogels for specific biomedical procedures. Moreover, so far studies mostly concentrate on local responses of hydrogels to chemical and/or external stimuli, which significantly limit the scope of their applications. Tetherless micromotors are autonomous microdevices capable of converting local chemical energy or the energy of external fields into motive forces for self-propelled or externally powered/controlled motion. If hydrogels can be integrated with micromotors, their applicability can be significantly extended and can lead to fully controllable responsive chemomechanical biomicromachines. However, to achieve these challenging goals, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and motive mechanisms of hydrogel micromotors need to be simultaneously integrated. This review summarizes recent achievements in the field of micromotors and hydrogels and proposes next steps required for the development of hydrogel micromotors, which become increasingly important for in vivo and in vitro bioapplications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Lin
- Department of Materials Science, State Key Laboratory of ASIC and Systems, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Borui Xu
- Department of Materials Science, State Key Laboratory of ASIC and Systems, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Hong Zhu
- Department of Materials Science, State Key Laboratory of ASIC and Systems, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jinrun Liu
- Department of Materials Science, State Key Laboratory of ASIC and Systems, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Alexander Solovev
- Department of Materials Science, State Key Laboratory of ASIC and Systems, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yongfeng Mei
- Department of Materials Science, State Key Laboratory of ASIC and Systems, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
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15
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Hall RL, Juan-Sing ZD, Hoyt K, Sirsi SR. Formulation and Characterization of Chemically Cross-linked Microbubble Clusters. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:10977-10986. [PMID: 31310715 PMCID: PMC7061884 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b00475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to introduce a new concept of chemically cross-linked microbubble clusters (CCMCs), which are individual microbubble ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) physically tethered together. We demonstrate a facile means of their production, characterize their size and stability, and describe how they can potentially be used in biomedical applications. By tethering UCAs together into CCMCs, we propose that novel methods of ultrasound mediated imaging and therapy can be developed through unique interbubble interactions in an ultrasound field. One of the major challenges in generating CCMCs is controlling aggregate sizes and maintaining stability against Ostwald ripening and coalescence. In this study, we demonstrate that chemically cross-linked microbubble clusters can produce small (<10 μm) quasi-stable complexes that slowly fuse into bubbles with individual gas cores. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this process can be driven with low-intensity ultrasound pulses, enabling a rapid fusion of clusters which could potentially be used to develop novel ultrasound contrast imaging and drug delivery strategies in future studies. The development of novel microbubble clusters presents a simple yet robust process for generating novel UCAs with a design that could allow for more versatility in contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), molecular imaging, and drug delivery applications. Additionally, microbubble clustering is a unique way to control size, shell, and gas compositions that can be used to study bubble ripening and coalescence in a highly controlled environment or study the behavior of mixed-microbubble populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald L. Hall
- University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, 75080, United States
| | | | - Kenneth Hoyt
- University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, 75080, United States
- University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, 75390, United States
| | - Shashank R. Sirsi
- University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, 75080, United States
- University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, 75390, United States
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16
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Chen Z, Pulsipher KW, Chattaraj R, Hammer DA, Sehgal CM, Lee D. Engineering the Echogenic Properties of Microfluidic Microbubbles Using Mixtures of Recombinant Protein and Amphiphilic Copolymers. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:10079-10086. [PMID: 30768278 PMCID: PMC6698903 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b03882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Microbubbles are used as ultrasound contrast agents in medical diagnosis and also have shown great promise in ultrasound-mediated therapy. However, short lifetime and broad size distribution of microbubbles limit their applications in therapy and imaging. Moreover, it is challenging to tailor the echogenic response of microbubbles to make them suitable for specific applications. To overcome these challenges, we use microfluidic flow-focusing to prepare monodisperse microbubbles with a mixture of a recombinant amphiphilic protein, oleosin, and a synthetic amphiphilic copolymer, Pluronic. We show that these microbubbles have superior uniformity and stability under ultrasonic stimulation compared to commercial agents. We also demonstrate that by using different Pluronics, the echogenic response of the microbubbles can be tailored. Our work shows the versatility of using the combination of microfluidics and protein/copolymer mixtures as a method of engineering microbubbles. This tunability could potentially be important and powerful in producing microbubble agents for theranostic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Chen
- The State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Katherine W. Pulsipher
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Rajarshi Chattaraj
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Daniel A. Hammer
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Chandra M. Sehgal
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Daeyeon Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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17
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Escoffre JM, Bouakaz A. Minireview: Biophysical Mechanisms of Cell Membrane Sonopermeabilization. Knowns and Unknowns. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:10151-10165. [PMID: 30525655 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b03538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Microbubble-assisted ultrasound has emerged as a promising method for the delivery of low-molecular-weight chemotherapeutic molecules, nucleic acids, therapeutic peptides, and antibodies in vitro and in vivo. Its clinical applications are under investigation for local delivery drug in oncology and neurology. However, the biophysical mechanisms supporting the acoustically mediated membrane permeabilization are not fully established. This review describes the present state of the investigations concerning the acoustically mediated stimuli (i.e., mechanical, chemical, and thermal stimuli) as well as the molecular and cellular actors (i.e., membrane pores and endocytosis) involved in the reversible membrane permeabilization process. The different hypotheses, which were proposed to give a biophysical description of the membrane permeabilization, are critically discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Michel Escoffre
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm , 10 bd Tonnellé , 37032 Tours Cedex 1, France
| | - Ayache Bouakaz
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm , 10 bd Tonnellé , 37032 Tours Cedex 1, France
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18
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Pulsipher KW, Hammer DA, Lee D, Sehgal CM. Engineering Theranostic Microbubbles Using Microfluidics for Ultrasound Imaging and Therapy: A Review. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2018; 44:2441-2460. [PMID: 30241729 PMCID: PMC6643280 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2018.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Microbubbles interact with ultrasound in various ways to enable their applications in ultrasound imaging and diagnosis. To generate high contrast and maximize therapeutic efficacy, microbubbles of high uniformity are required. Microfluidic technology, which enables precise control of small volumes of fluid at the sub-millimeter scale, has provided a versatile platform on which to produce highly uniform microbubbles for potential applications in ultrasound imaging and diagnosis. Here, we describe fundamental microfluidic principles and the most common types of microfluidic devices used to produce sub-10 μm microbubbles, appropriate for biomedical ultrasound. Bubbles can be engineered for specific applications by tailoring the bubble size, inner gas and shell composition and by functionalizing for additional imaging modalities, therapeutics or targeting ligands. To translate the laboratory-scale discoveries to widespread clinical use of these microfluidic-based microbubbles, increased bubble production is needed. We present various strategies recently developed to improve scale-up. We conclude this review by describing some outstanding problems in the field and presenting areas for future use of microfluidics in ultrasound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine W Pulsipher
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Daniel A Hammer
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Daeyeon Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Chandra M Sehgal
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
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19
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Kaufman G, Liu W, Williams DM, Choo Y, Gopinadhan M, Samudrala N, Sarfati R, Yan ECY, Regan L, Osuji CO. Flat Drops, Elastic Sheets, and Microcapsules by Interfacial Assembly of a Bacterial Biofilm Protein, BslA. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2017; 33:13590-13597. [PMID: 29094950 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b03226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Protein adsorption and assembly at interfaces provide a potentially versatile route to create useful constructs for fluid compartmentalization. In this context, we consider the interfacial assembly of a bacterial biofilm protein, BslA, at air-water and oil-water interfaces. Densely packed, high modulus monolayers form at air-water interfaces, leading to the formation of flattened sessile water drops. BslA forms elastic sheets at oil-water interfaces, leading to the production of stable monodisperse oil-in-water microcapsules. By contrast, water-in-oil microcapsules are unstable but display arrested rather than full coalescence on contact. The disparity in stability likely originates from a low areal density of BslA hydrophobic caps on the exterior surface of water-in-oil microcapsules, relative to the inverse case. In direct analogy with small molecule surfactants, the lack of stability of individual water-in-oil microcapsules is consistent with the large value of the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB number) calculated based on the BslA crystal structure. The occurrence of arrested coalescence indicates that the surface activity of BslA is similar to that of colloidal particles that produce Pickering emulsions, with the stability of partially coalesced structures ensured by interfacial jamming. Micropipette aspiration and flow in tapered capillaries experiments reveal intriguing reversible and nonreversible modes of mechanical deformation, respectively. The mechanical robustness of the microcapsules and the ability to engineer their shape and to design highly specific binding responses through protein engineering suggest that these microcapsules may be useful for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilad Kaufman
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, ‡Department of Chemistry, §Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, ∥Department of Physics, and ⊥The Integrated Graduate Program in Physical and Engineering Biology, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, ‡Department of Chemistry, §Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, ∥Department of Physics, and ⊥The Integrated Graduate Program in Physical and Engineering Biology, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Danielle M Williams
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, ‡Department of Chemistry, §Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, ∥Department of Physics, and ⊥The Integrated Graduate Program in Physical and Engineering Biology, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Youngwoo Choo
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, ‡Department of Chemistry, §Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, ∥Department of Physics, and ⊥The Integrated Graduate Program in Physical and Engineering Biology, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Manesh Gopinadhan
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, ‡Department of Chemistry, §Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, ∥Department of Physics, and ⊥The Integrated Graduate Program in Physical and Engineering Biology, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Niveditha Samudrala
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, ‡Department of Chemistry, §Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, ∥Department of Physics, and ⊥The Integrated Graduate Program in Physical and Engineering Biology, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Raphael Sarfati
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, ‡Department of Chemistry, §Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, ∥Department of Physics, and ⊥The Integrated Graduate Program in Physical and Engineering Biology, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Elsa C Y Yan
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, ‡Department of Chemistry, §Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, ∥Department of Physics, and ⊥The Integrated Graduate Program in Physical and Engineering Biology, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Lynne Regan
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, ‡Department of Chemistry, §Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, ∥Department of Physics, and ⊥The Integrated Graduate Program in Physical and Engineering Biology, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Chinedum O Osuji
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, ‡Department of Chemistry, §Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, ∥Department of Physics, and ⊥The Integrated Graduate Program in Physical and Engineering Biology, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
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20
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Kumar VB, Steinberg Y, Porat Z, Nassir M, Saady A, Hassner A, Gedanken A. A New Approach to Chiral Enrichment by Exposure of Racemates of Amino Acids to Sonochemically-Prepared BSA Microspheres. ChemistrySelect 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.201701525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Bhooshan Kumar
- Bar Ilan Institute for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials; Department of Chemistry; Bar-Ilan University; Ramat-Gan 5290002 Israel
| | - Yael Steinberg
- Bar Ilan Institute for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials; Department of Chemistry; Bar-Ilan University; Ramat-Gan 5290002 Israel
| | - Ze'ev Porat
- Division of Chemistry; Nuclear Research Center-Negev, P.O. Box; 9001 Be'er-Sheva 84190 Israel
- Institutes of Applied Research; Ben-Gurion University of the Negev; Be'er-Sheva 8410501 Israel
| | - Molhm Nassir
- Bar Ilan Institute for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials; Department of Chemistry; Bar-Ilan University; Ramat-Gan 5290002 Israel
| | - Abed Saady
- Bar Ilan Institute for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials; Department of Chemistry; Bar-Ilan University; Ramat-Gan 5290002 Israel
| | - Alfred Hassner
- Bar Ilan Institute for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials; Department of Chemistry; Bar-Ilan University; Ramat-Gan 5290002 Israel
| | - Aharon Gedanken
- Bar Ilan Institute for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials; Department of Chemistry; Bar-Ilan University; Ramat-Gan 5290002 Israel
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21
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Jeong HH, Yadavali S, Issadore D, Lee D. Liter-scale production of uniform gas bubbles via parallelization of flow-focusing generators. LAB ON A CHIP 2017; 17:2667-2673. [PMID: 28702573 PMCID: PMC5636638 DOI: 10.1039/c7lc00295e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Microscale gas bubbles have demonstrated enormous utility as versatile templates for the synthesis of functional materials in medicine, ultra-lightweight materials and acoustic metamaterials. In many of these applications, high uniformity of the size of the gas bubbles is critical to achieve the desired properties and functionality. While microfluidics have been used with success to create gas bubbles that have a uniformity not achievable using conventional methods, the inherently low volumetric flow rate of microfluidics has limited its use in most applications. Parallelization of liquid droplet generators, in which many droplet generators are incorporated onto a single chip, has shown great promise for the large scale production of monodisperse liquid emulsion droplets. However, the scale-up of monodisperse gas bubbles using such an approach has remained a challenge because of possible coupling between parallel bubbles generators and feedback effects from the downstream channels. In this report, we systematically investigate the effect of factors such as viscosity of the continuous phase, capillary number, and gas pressure as well as the channel uniformity on the size distribution of gas bubbles in a parallelized microfluidic device. We show that, by optimizing the flow conditions, a device with 400 parallel flow focusing generators on a footprint of 5 × 5 cm2 can be used to generate gas bubbles with a coefficient of variation of less than 5% at a production rate of approximately 1 L h-1. Our results suggest that the optimization of flow conditions using a device with a small number (e.g., 8) of parallel FFGs can facilitate large-scale bubble production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heon-Ho Jeong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
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22
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Abstract
Droplet microfluidics generates and manipulates discrete droplets through immiscible multiphase flows inside microchannels. Due to its remarkable advantages, droplet microfluidics bears significant value in an extremely wide range of area. In this review, we provide a comprehensive and in-depth insight into droplet microfluidics, covering fundamental research from microfluidic chip fabrication and droplet generation to the applications of droplets in bio(chemical) analysis and materials generation. The purpose of this review is to convey the fundamentals of droplet microfluidics, a critical analysis on its current status and challenges, and opinions on its future development. We believe this review will promote communications among biology, chemistry, physics, and materials science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luoran Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University , Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Yao Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University , Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University , Nanjing 210096, China
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23
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Jang Y, Champion JA. Self-Assembled Materials Made from Functional Recombinant Proteins. Acc Chem Res 2016; 49:2188-2198. [PMID: 27677734 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.6b00337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Proteins are potent molecules that can be used as therapeutics, sensors, and biocatalysts with many advantages over small-molecule counterparts due to the specificity of their activity based on their amino acid sequence and folded three-dimensional structure. However, they also have significant limitations in their stability, localization, and recovery when used in soluble form. These opportunities and challenges have motivated the creation of materials from such functional proteins in order to protect and present them in a way that enhances their function. We have designed functional recombinant fusion proteins capable of self-assembling into materials with unique structures that maintain or improve the functionality of the protein. Fusion of either a functional protein or an assembly domain to a leucine zipper domain makes the materials design strategy modular, based on the high affinity between leucine zippers. The self-assembly domains, including elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) and defined-sequence random coil polypeptides, can be fused with a leucine zipper motif in order to promote assembly of the fusion proteins into larger structures upon specific stimuli such as temperature and ionic strength. Fusion of other functional domains with the counterpart leucine zipper motif endows the self-assembled materials with protein-specific functions such as fluorescence or catalytic activity. In this Account, we describe several examples of materials assembled from functional fusion proteins as well as the structural characterization, functionality, and understanding of the assembly mechanism. The first example is zipper fusion proteins containing ELPs that assemble into particles when introduced to a model extracellular matrix and subsequently disassemble over time to release the functional protein for drug delivery applications. Under different conditions, the same fusion proteins can self-assemble into hollow vesicles. The vesicles display a functional protein on the surface and can also carry protein, small-molecule, or nanoparticle cargo in the vesicle lumen. To create a material with a more complex hierarchical structure, we combined calcium phosphate with zipper fusion proteins containing random coil polypeptides to produce hybrid protein-inorganic supraparticles with high surface area and porous structure. The use of a functional enzyme created supraparticles with the ability to degrade inflammatory cytokines. Our characterization of these protein materials revealed that the molecular interactions are complex because of the large size of the protein building blocks, their folded structures, and the number of potential interactions including hydrophobic interactions, electrostatic interactions, van der Waals forces, and specific affinity-based interactions. It is difficult or even impossible to predict the structures a priori. However, once the basic assembly principles are understood, there is opportunity to tune the material properties, such as size, through control of the self-assembly conditions. Our future efforts on the fundamental side will focus on identifying the phase space of self-assembly of these fusion proteins and additional experimental levers with which to control and tune the resulting materials. On the application side, we are investigating an array of different functional proteins to expand the use of these structures in both therapeutic protein delivery and biocatalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeongseon Jang
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 950 Atlantic Drive NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Julie A. Champion
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 950 Atlantic Drive NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
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24
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Kandadai MA, Mukherjee P, Shekhar H, Shaw GJ, Papautsky I, Holland CK. Microfluidic manufacture of rt-PA -loaded echogenic liposomes. Biomed Microdevices 2016; 18:48. [PMID: 27206512 PMCID: PMC4920071 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-016-0072-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Echogenic liposomes (ELIP), loaded with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) and microbubbles that act as cavitation nuclei, are under development for ultrasound-mediated thrombolysis. Conventional manufacturing techniques produce a polydisperse rt-PA-loaded ELIP population with only a small percentage of particles containing microbubbles. Further, a polydisperse population of rt-PA-loaded ELIP has a broadband frequency response with complex bubble dynamics when exposed to pulsed ultrasound. In this work, a microfluidic flow-focusing device was used to generate monodisperse rt-PA-loaded ELIP (μtELIP) loaded with a perfluorocarbon gas. The rt-PA associated with the μtELIP was encapsulated within the lipid shell as well as intercalated within the lipid shell. The μtELIP had a mean diameter of 5 μm, a resonance frequency of 2.2 MHz, and were found to be stable for at least 30 min in 0.5 % bovine serum albumin. Additionally, 35 % of μtELIP particles were estimated to contain microbubbles, an order of magnitude higher than that reported previously for batch-produced rt-PA-loaded ELIP. These findings emphasize the advantages offered by microfluidic techniques for improving the encapsulation efficiency of both rt-PA and perflurocarbon microbubbles within echogenic liposomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhuvanthi A Kandadai
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Suite 1551, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA.
- Department of Emergency Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way, CVC 3974, Cincinnati, OH, 45267-0769, USA.
| | - Prithviraj Mukherjee
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computing Systems, University of Cincinnati, 812 Rhodes Hall, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, USA
| | - Himanshu Shekhar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Health and Diseases, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - George J Shaw
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Suite 1551, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Ian Papautsky
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computing Systems, University of Cincinnati, 812 Rhodes Hall, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, USA
| | - Christy K Holland
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Health and Diseases, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
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25
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Jang Y, Jang WS, Gao C, Shim TS, Crocker JC, Hammer DA, Lee D. Tuning the Mechanical Properties of Recombinant Protein-Stabilized Gas Bubbles Using Triblock Copolymers. ACS Macro Lett 2016; 5:371-376. [PMID: 35614706 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.6b00057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Gas bubbles enhance contrast in ultrasound sonography and can also carry and deliver therapeutic agents. The mechanical properties of the bubble shell play a critical role in determining the physical response of gas bubbles under ultrasound insonation. Currently, few methods allow for tailoring of the mechanical properties of the stabilizing layers of gas bubbles. Here, we demonstrate that blending of poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO) amphiphilic triblock copolymer with a recombinant protein, oleosin, enables the tuning of the mechanical properties of the bubble stabilizing layer. The areal expansion modulus of gas bubbles, as determined by micropipette aspiration, depends on the structure as well as the concentration of PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymers. We believe our method of using a mixture of PEO-PPO-PEO and oleosin can potentially lead to the formation of microbubbles with stabilizing shells that can be functionalized and tailored for specific applications in ultrasound imaging and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeongseon Jang
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and ∥Department of Bioengineering, School
of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Woo-Sik Jang
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and ∥Department of Bioengineering, School
of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Chen Gao
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and ∥Department of Bioengineering, School
of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Tae Soup Shim
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and ∥Department of Bioengineering, School
of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - John C. Crocker
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and ∥Department of Bioengineering, School
of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Daniel A Hammer
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and ∥Department of Bioengineering, School
of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Daeyeon Lee
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and ∥Department of Bioengineering, School
of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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26
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Mahalingam S, Xu Z, Edirisinghe M. Antibacterial Activity and Biosensing of PVA-Lysozyme Microbubbles Formed by Pressurized Gyration. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2015; 31:9771-9780. [PMID: 26307462 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b02005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In this work, the biosensing and antibacterial capabilities of PVA-lysozyme microbubbles have been explored. Gas-filled PVA-lysozyme microbubbles with and without gold nanoparticles in the diameter range of 10 to 250 μm were produced using a single-step pressurized gyration process. Fluorescence microscopy showed the integration of gold nanoparticles on the shell of the microbubbles. Microbubbles prepared with gold nanoparticles showed greater optical extinction values than those without gold nanoparticles, and these values increased with the concentration of the gold nanoparticles. Both types of microbubbles showed antibacterial activity against Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli), with the bubbles containing the gold nanoparticles performing better than the former. The conjugation of the microbubbles with alkaline phosphatase allowed the detection of pesticide paraoxon in aqueous solution, and this demonstrates the biosensing capabilities of these microbubbles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zewen Xu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London , Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, U.K
| | - Mohan Edirisinghe
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London , Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, U.K
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27
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On-demand drug delivery from local depots. J Control Release 2015; 219:8-17. [PMID: 26374941 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2015.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Revised: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Stimuli-responsive polymeric depots capable of on-demand release of therapeutics promise a substantial improvement in the treatment of many local diseases. These systems have the advantage of controlling local dosing so that payload is released at a time and with a dose chosen by a physician or patient, and the dose can be varied as disease progresses or healing occurs. Macroscale drug depot can be induced to release therapeutics through the action of physical stimuli such as ultrasound, electric and magnetic fields and light as well as through the addition of pharmacological stimuli such as nucleic acids and small molecules. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the development of polymeric systems engineered for releasing therapeutic molecules through physical and pharmacological stimulation.
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Vargo KB, Al Zaki A, Warden-Rothman R, Tsourkas A, Hammer DA. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle micelles stabilized by recombinant oleosin for targeted magnetic resonance imaging. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2015; 11:1409-13. [PMID: 25418741 PMCID: PMC4746475 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201402017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2014] [Revised: 09/20/2014] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant surfactants present a new platform for stabilizing and targeting nanoparticle imaging agents. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle-loaded micelles for MRI contrast are stabilized by an engineered variant of the naturally occurring protein oleosin and targeted using a Her2/neu affibody-oleosin fusion. The recombinant oleosin platform allows simple targeting and the ability to easily swap the ligand for numerous targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin B. Vargo
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19103
| | - Ajlan Al Zaki
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19103
| | | | - Andrew Tsourkas
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19103
| | - Daniel A. Hammer
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19103
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19103
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