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Kurdadze T, Lamadie F, Nehme KA, Teychené S, Biscans B, Rodriguez-Ruiz I. On-Chip Photonic Detection Techniques for Non-Invasive In Situ Characterizations at the Microfluidic Scale. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:1529. [PMID: 38475065 DOI: 10.3390/s24051529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Microfluidics has emerged as a robust technology for diverse applications, ranging from bio-medical diagnostics to chemical analysis. Among the different characterization techniques that can be used to analyze samples at the microfluidic scale, the coupling of photonic detection techniques and on-chip configurations is particularly advantageous due to its non-invasive nature, which permits sensitive, real-time, high throughput, and rapid analyses, taking advantage of the microfluidic special environments and reduced sample volumes. Putting a special emphasis on integrated detection schemes, this review article explores the most relevant advances in the on-chip implementation of UV-vis, near-infrared, terahertz, and X-ray-based techniques for different characterizations, ranging from punctual spectroscopic or scattering-based measurements to different types of mapping/imaging. The principles of the techniques and their interest are discussed through their application to different systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar Kurdadze
- CEA, DES, ISEC, DMRC, Univ Montpellier, 30207 Bagnols-sur-Ceze, Marcoule, France
| | - Fabrice Lamadie
- CEA, DES, ISEC, DMRC, Univ Montpellier, 30207 Bagnols-sur-Ceze, Marcoule, France
| | - Karen A Nehme
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, CNRS, UMR 5503, 4 Allée Emile Monso, 31432 Toulouse, France
| | - Sébastien Teychené
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, CNRS, UMR 5503, 4 Allée Emile Monso, 31432 Toulouse, France
| | - Béatrice Biscans
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, CNRS, UMR 5503, 4 Allée Emile Monso, 31432 Toulouse, France
| | - Isaac Rodriguez-Ruiz
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, CNRS, UMR 5503, 4 Allée Emile Monso, 31432 Toulouse, France
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2
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Dang Z, Jiang Y, Su X, Wang Z, Wang Y, Sun Z, Zhao Z, Zhang C, Hong Y, Liu Z. Particle Counting Methods Based on Microfluidic Devices. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:1722. [PMID: 37763885 PMCID: PMC10534595 DOI: 10.3390/mi14091722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Particle counting serves as a pivotal constituent in diverse analytical domains, encompassing a broad spectrum of entities, ranging from blood cells and bacteria to viruses, droplets, bubbles, wear debris, and magnetic beads. Recent epochs have witnessed remarkable progressions in microfluidic chip technology, culminating in the proliferation and maturation of microfluidic chip-based particle counting methodologies. This paper undertakes a taxonomical elucidation of microfluidic chip-based particle counters based on the physical parameters they detect. These particle counters are classified into three categories: optical-based counters, electrical-based particle counters, and other counters. Within each category, subcategories are established to consider structural differences. Each type of counter is described not only in terms of its working principle but also the methods employed to enhance sensitivity and throughput. Additionally, an analysis of future trends related to each counter type is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zenglin Dang
- College of Marine Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China; (Z.D.); (Y.J.); (X.S.); (Y.W.); (Z.S.); (Z.Z.); (Y.H.)
| | - Yuning Jiang
- College of Marine Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China; (Z.D.); (Y.J.); (X.S.); (Y.W.); (Z.S.); (Z.Z.); (Y.H.)
| | - Xin Su
- College of Marine Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China; (Z.D.); (Y.J.); (X.S.); (Y.W.); (Z.S.); (Z.Z.); (Y.H.)
| | - Zhihao Wang
- College of Marine Electrical Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China;
| | - Yucheng Wang
- College of Marine Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China; (Z.D.); (Y.J.); (X.S.); (Y.W.); (Z.S.); (Z.Z.); (Y.H.)
| | - Zhe Sun
- College of Marine Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China; (Z.D.); (Y.J.); (X.S.); (Y.W.); (Z.S.); (Z.Z.); (Y.H.)
| | - Zheng Zhao
- College of Marine Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China; (Z.D.); (Y.J.); (X.S.); (Y.W.); (Z.S.); (Z.Z.); (Y.H.)
| | - Chi Zhang
- College of Transportation Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China;
| | - Yuming Hong
- College of Marine Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China; (Z.D.); (Y.J.); (X.S.); (Y.W.); (Z.S.); (Z.Z.); (Y.H.)
| | - Zhijian Liu
- College of Marine Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China; (Z.D.); (Y.J.); (X.S.); (Y.W.); (Z.S.); (Z.Z.); (Y.H.)
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Li B, Ma X, Cheng J, Tian T, Guo J, Wang Y, Pang L. Droplets microfluidics platform-A tool for single cell research. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1121870. [PMID: 37152651 PMCID: PMC10154550 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1121870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells are the most basic structural and functional units of living organisms. Studies of cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and cell-cell interactions can help scientists understand the mysteries of living systems. However, there is considerable heterogeneity among cells. Great differences between individuals can be found even within the same cell cluster. Cell heterogeneity can only be clearly expressed and distinguished at the level of single cells. The development of droplet microfluidics technology opens up a new chapter for single-cell analysis. Microfluidic chips can produce many nanoscale monodisperse droplets, which can be used as small isolated micro-laboratories for various high-throughput, precise single-cell analyses. Moreover, gel droplets with good biocompatibility can be used in single-cell cultures and coupled with biomolecules for various downstream analyses of cellular metabolites. The droplets are also maneuverable; through physical and chemical forces, droplets can be divided, fused, and sorted to realize single-cell screening and other related studies. This review describes the channel design, droplet generation, and control technology of droplet microfluidics and gives a detailed overview of the application of droplet microfluidics in single-cell culture, single-cell screening, single-cell detection, and other aspects. Moreover, we provide a recent review of the application of droplet microfluidics in tumor single-cell immunoassays, describe in detail the advantages of microfluidics in tumor research, and predict the development of droplet microfluidics at the single-cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bixuan Li
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, Xi’an, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xi Ma
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, Xi’an, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jianghong Cheng
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, Xi’an, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Tian Tian
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, Xi’an, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jiao Guo
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, Xi’an, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, Xi’an, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Yang Wang,
| | - Long Pang
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, Xi’an, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
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Huang C, Jiang Y, Li Y, Zhang H. Droplet Detection and Sorting System in Microfluidics: A Review. MICROMACHINES 2022; 14:mi14010103. [PMID: 36677164 PMCID: PMC9867185 DOI: 10.3390/mi14010103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Since being invented, droplet microfluidic technologies have been proven to be perfect tools for high-throughput chemical and biological functional screening applications, and they have been heavily studied and improved through the past two decades. Each droplet can be used as one single bioreactor to compartmentalize a big material or biological population, so millions of droplets can be individually screened based on demand, while the sorting function could extract the droplets of interest to a separate pool from the main droplet library. In this paper, we reviewed droplet detection and active sorting methods that are currently still being widely used for high-through screening applications in microfluidic systems, including the latest updates regarding each technology. We analyze and summarize the merits and drawbacks of each presented technology and conclude, with our perspectives, on future direction of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Huang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77842, USA
| | - Yuqian Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Yuwen Li
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77842, USA
| | - Han Zhang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77842, USA
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Hassani-Gangaraj M, Shamloo A. Developing an Off-the-Shelf Microfluidic Droplet Generation Device for Cell Encapsulation. Ind Eng Chem Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.2c01301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Hassani-Gangaraj
- Nano-Bioengineering Lab, Mechanical Engineering Department, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran 11365-8639, Iran
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Azadi Avenue, Tehran 11365-8639, Iran
| | - Amir Shamloo
- Nano-Bioengineering Lab, Mechanical Engineering Department, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran 11365-8639, Iran
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Azadi Avenue, Tehran 11365-8639, Iran
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6
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Maurya R, Gohil N, Bhattacharjee G, Alzahrani KJ, Ramakrishna S, Singh V. Microfluidics for single cell analysis. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2022; 186:203-215. [PMID: 35033285 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2021.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Cells have several internal molecules that are present in low amounts and any fluctuation in its number drives a change in cell behavior. These molecules present inside the cells are continuously fluctuating, thus producing noises in the intrinsic environment and thereby directly affecting the cellular behavior. Single-cell analysis using microfluidics is an important tool for monitoring cell behavior by analyzing internal molecules. Several gene circuits have been designed for this purpose that are labeled with fluorescence encoding genes for monitoring cell dynamics and behavior. We discuss herewith designed and fabricated microfluidics devices that are used for trapping and tracking cells under controlled environmental conditions. This chapter highlights microfluidics chip for monitoring cells to promote their basic understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupesh Maurya
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science, Indrashil University, Rajpur, Mehsana, Gujarat, India
| | - Nisarg Gohil
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science, Indrashil University, Rajpur, Mehsana, Gujarat, India
| | - Gargi Bhattacharjee
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science, Indrashil University, Rajpur, Mehsana, Gujarat, India
| | - Khalid J Alzahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suresh Ramakrishna
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea; College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Vijai Singh
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science, Indrashil University, Rajpur, Mehsana, Gujarat, India.
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7
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Shi N, Mohibullah M, Easley CJ. Active Flow Control and Dynamic Analysis in Droplet Microfluidics. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY (PALO ALTO, CALIF.) 2021; 14:133-153. [PMID: 33979546 PMCID: PMC8956363 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-anchem-122120-042627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Droplet-based microfluidics has emerged as an important subfield within the microfluidic and general analytical communities. Indeed, several unique applications such as digital assay readout and single-cell sequencing now have commercial systems based on droplet microfluidics. Yet there remains room for this research area to grow. To date, most analytical readouts are optical in nature, relatively few studies have integrated sample preparation, and passive means for droplet formation and manipulation have dominated the field. Analytical scientists continue to expand capabilities by developing droplet-compatible method adaptations, for example, by interfacing to mass spectrometers or automating droplet sampling for temporally resolved analysis. In this review, we highlight recently developed fluidic control techniques and unique integrations of analytical methodology with droplet microfluidics-focusing on automation and the connections to analog/digital domains-and we conclude by offering a perspective on current challenges and future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Shi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, USA;
| | - Md Mohibullah
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, USA;
| | - Christopher J Easley
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, USA;
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8
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Cai S, Sun Y, Chu H, Yang W, Yu H, Liu L. Microlenses arrays: Fabrication, materials, and applications. Microsc Res Tech 2021; 84:2784-2806. [PMID: 33988282 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.23818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Microlenses have become an indispensable optical element in many optical systems. The advancement of technology has led to a wider variety of microlenses fabrication methods, but these methods suffer from, more or less, some limitations. In this article, we review the manufacturing technology of microlenses from the direct and indirect perspectives. First, we present several fabrication methods and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. Then, we discuss the commonly used materials for fabricating microlenses and the applications of microlenses in various fields. Finally, we point out the prospects for the future development of microlenses and their fabrication methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuxiang Cai
- School of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, China
| | - Yalin Sun
- School of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, China
| | - Honghui Chu
- School of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, China
| | - Wenguang Yang
- School of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, China
| | - Haibo Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Lianqing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, China
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9
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An asymmetric flow-focusing droplet generator promotes rapid mixing of reagents. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8797. [PMID: 33888801 PMCID: PMC8062447 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88174-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays droplet microfluidics is widely used to perform high throughput assays and for the synthesis of micro- and nanoparticles. These applications usually require packaging several reagents into droplets and their mixing to start a biochemical reaction. For rapid mixing microfluidic devices usually require additional functional elements that make their designs more complex. Here we perform a series of 2D numerical simulations, followed by experimental studies, and introduce a novel asymmetric flow-focusing droplet generator, which enhances mixing during droplet formation due to a 2D or 3D asymmetric vortex, located in the droplet formation area of the microfluidic device. Our results suggest that 2D numerical simulations can be used for qualitative analysis of two-phase flows and droplet generation process in quasi-two-dimensional devices, while the relative simplicity of such simulations allows them to be easily applied to fairly complicated microfluidic geometries. Mixing inside droplets formed in the asymmetric generator occurs up to six times faster than in a conventional symmetric one. The best mixing efficiency is achieved in a specific range of droplet volumes, which can be changed by scaling the geometry of the device. Thus, the droplet generator suggested here can significantly simplify designs of microfluidic devices because it enables both the droplet formation and fast mixing of the reagents within droplets. Moreover, it can be used to precisely estimate reaction kinetics.
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10
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Wu Q, Yao L, Qin P, Xu J, Sun X, Yao B, Ren F, Chen W. Time-resolved fluorescent lateral flow strip for easy and rapid quality control of edible oil. Food Chem 2021; 357:129739. [PMID: 33971536 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.129739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Gutter oil is strictly prohibited from being reprocessed back to the catering and food industry. Extensive attention has been paid to rapid screening of gutter oil to guarantee the safety of edible oil. Capsaicin, a special component of condiments, has been adopted as the marker of gutter oil. The time-resolved fluorescent microspheres are utilized for labeling of antibody to capsaicin, which are further applied for the construction of fluorescent lateral-flow-strip (LFS). By simple extraction of capsaicin with ethanol (or liquor) from the edible oil, the capsaicin can be rapid determined with the fluorescent LFS in less than 10 min. As low as 20 ng/mL capsaicin can be visually judged and 2.3 ng/mL is achieved as the detection limit by ImageJ analysis. The illegal gutter oil is also well screened with this time-resolved LFS. This method can be a useful candidate for routine quality monitoring of edible oil and a powerful tool for self-inspection at home.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wu
- School Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, China
| | - Li Yao
- School Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, China
| | - Panzhu Qin
- School Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, China
| | - Jianguo Xu
- School Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, China
| | - Xun Sun
- School Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, China
| | - Bangben Yao
- School Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, China; Anhui Province Institute of Product Quality Supervision & Inspection, Hefei 230051, PR China.
| | - Fei Ren
- Institute of Forensic Science, Public Security Bureau of Taiyuan, Shanxi 030001, PR China
| | - Wei Chen
- School Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, China.
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11
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Li M, Cao R, Dyett B, Zhang X. Encapsulated Nanodroplets for Enhanced Fluorescence Detection by Nano-Extraction. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e2004162. [PMID: 33103337 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202004162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Enhancement of the detection signal of fluorescence microscopy in highly diluted solutions is of great importance in chemical analysis, sensing, and bioassay applications. Surface nanodroplets with atto- to femto-liter volumes are promising tools for sensitive online detection by integrating their extremely efficient nano-extraction and optical advantages. In this paper, the development of novel basic units of nanodroplets-in-a-microdroplet by simple solvent exchange is reported. The encapsulated nanodroplets are applied for ultrasensitive and online detection in fluorescence imaging. The biphasic nature of the droplet composite enables simultaneous extraction and enrichment of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds. Furthermore, the desirable lensing effect of the curved surface of the nanodroplets enhances the collection of light emitted from the fluorophore extracted in the droplets by ≈60-fold, allowing sensitive and quantitative analysis of the fluorophore using fluorescence microscopy. The results highlight the potential of encapsulated nanodroplets as a simple and innovative method of signal enhancement in chemical analysis. By integrating selective concentration, extraction, and sensitive detection, the encapsulated nanodroplets reported here may have broad applications in many chemical and biological matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaosi Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
- Guangzhou New Chemical Material Technology Ltd., Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Rong Cao
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education and Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Brendan Dyett
- School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia
| | - Xuehua Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Alberta, T6G 1H9, Canada
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12
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Tang J, Qiu G, Cao X, Yue Y, Zhang X, Schmitt J, Wang J. Self-aligned 3D microlenses in a chip fabricated with two-photon stereolithography for highly sensitive absorbance measurement. LAB ON A CHIP 2020; 20:2334-2342. [PMID: 32458914 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc00235f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Absorbance measurement is a widely used method to quantify the concentration of an analyte. The integration of absorbance analysis in microfluidic chips could significantly reduce the sample consumption and contribute to the system miniaturization. However, the sensitivity and limit of detection (LoD) of analysis in microfluidic chips with conventional configuration need improvements due to the limited optical pathway and unregulated light propagation. In this work, a 3D-microlens-incorporating microfluidic chip (3D-MIMC) with a greatly extended detection channel was innovatively fabricated using two-photon stereolithography. The fabrication was optimized with a proposed hierarchical modular printing strategy. Due to the incorporation of 3D microlenses, the light coupling efficiency and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were respectively improved approximately 9 and 4 times. An equivalent optical path length (EOL) of 62.9 mm was achieved in a 3.7 μl detection channel for testing tartrazine samples. As a result, the sensitivity and LoD of the 3D-MIMC assay were correspondingly improved by one order of magnitude, compared with those of the 96-well plate assay. Notably, the 3D-MIMC has the potential to be integrated into a general microanalysis platform for multiple applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiukai Tang
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8093, Switzerland.
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13
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“Development and application of analytical detection techniques for droplet-based microfluidics”-A review. Anal Chim Acta 2020; 1113:66-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2020.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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14
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Cao X, Du Y, Küffner A, Van Wyk J, Arosio P, Wang J, Fischer P, Stavrakis S, deMello A. A Counter Propagating Lens-Mirror System for Ultrahigh Throughput Single Droplet Detection. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e1907534. [PMID: 32309905 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201907534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescence-based detection schemes provide for multiparameter analysis in a broad range of applications in the chemical and biological sciences. Toward the realization of fully portable analysis systems, microfluidic devices integrating diverse functional components have been implemented in a range of out-of-lab environments. That said, there still exits an unmet and recognized need for miniaturized, low-cost, and sensitive optical detection systems, which provide not only for efficient molecular excitation, but also enhanced photon collection capabilities. To this end, an optofluidic platform that is adept at enhancing fluorescence light collection from microfluidic channels is presented. The central component of the detection module is a monolithic parabolic mirror located directly above the microfluidic channel, which acts to enhance the number of emitted photons reflected toward the detector. In addition, two-photon polymerization is used to print a microscale-lens below the microfluidic flow channel and directly opposite the mirror, to enhance the delivery of excitation radiation into the channel. Using such an approach, it is demonstrated that fluorescence signals can be enhanced by over two orders of magnitude, with component parallelization enabling the detection of pL-volume droplets at rates up to 40 000 droplets per second.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobao Cao
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
- School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Ying Du
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
- College of Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310023, China
| | - Andreas Küffner
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Jordan Van Wyk
- Nanotechnology Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Paolo Arosio
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Jing Wang
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Peter Fischer
- IFNH Food Process Engineering Group, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 7, Zürich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Stavros Stavrakis
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Andrew deMello
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
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Chen L, Chen G, Liao L, Chen H. Naked-Eye 3D Display Based on Microlens Array Using Combined Micro-Nano Imprint and UV Offset Printing Methods. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25092012. [PMID: 32344928 PMCID: PMC7248864 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25092012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
An optical film integrating microlens array (MLAs) and 3D micro-graphics is an important way to achieve the naked-eye 3D display effect. The 3D micro-graphics is traditionally generated by the micro-nano imprint technology based on precision engraving mold, which leads to high production cost and low production efficiency, and thus restricts the rapid response to production tasks and large-scale popularization and application. In this study, a process scheme for large-scale printing of 3D micro-graphics using UV offset printing based on presensitized (PS) plate was proposed, matching with the MLAs fabricated by micro-nano imprint process to achieve naked-eye 3D display effect. We used the laser confocal microscope to systematically measure and analyze the geometric and optical performance of the fabricated MLAs in terms of height, curvature radius, center distance, spacing, focal length, and numerical aperture, and evaluated the influence of the publishing resolution of the PS plate on the display effect of 3D micro-graphics. The printing quality and display effect of 3D micro-graphics were further improved by adjusting process parameters such as printing speed and printing pressure. The results of the current study demonstrate that the combined application of micro-nano imprint technology based on precision mold and UV offset printing technology based on PS plate can achieve an excellent naked-eye 3D display effect in 360° all angles, which is efficient, cost-saving, and highly flexible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linyi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; (L.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Guangxue Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; (L.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Liyu Liao
- YUTO R&D Institute, Shenzhen YUTO Packaging Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518108, China;
| | - Haozhi Chen
- Guangzhou Financial Service Innovation and Risk Management Research Base, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
- Correspondence:
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16
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Zhou P, Yu H, Zou W, Zhong Y, Wang X, Wang Z, Liu L. Cross-scale additive direct-writing fabrication of micro/nano lens arrays by electrohydrodynamic jet printing. OPTICS EXPRESS 2020; 28:6336-6349. [PMID: 32225884 DOI: 10.1364/oe.383863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
High-quality micro/nanolens arrays (M/NLAs) are becoming irreplaceable components of various compact and miniaturized optical systems and functional devices. There is urgent requirement for a low-cost, high-efficiency, and high-precision technique to manufacture high-quality M/NLAs to meet their diverse and personalized applications. In this paper, we report the one-step maskless fabrication of M/NLAs via electrohydrodynamic jet (E-jet) printing. In order to get the best morphological parameters of M/NLAs, we adopted the stable cone-jet printing mode with optimized parameters instead of the micro dripping mode. The optical parameters of M/NLAs were analyzed and optimized, and they were influenced by the E-jet printing parameters, the wettability of the substrate, and the viscosity of the UV-curable adhesive. Thus, diverse and customized M/NLAs were obtained. Herein, we realized the fabrication of nanolens with a minimum diameter of 120 nm, and NLAs with different parameters were printed on a silicon substrate, a cantilever of atomic force microscopy probe, and single-layer graphene.
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17
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Novel Platform for Droplet Detection and Size Measurement Using Microstrip Transmission Lines. SENSORS 2019; 19:s19235216. [PMID: 31795086 PMCID: PMC6928822 DOI: 10.3390/s19235216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
We propose a novel platform for detecting as well as measuring the size of individual droplets in microfluidic channels using microstrip transmission lines. The most outstanding feature of our platform is that, as opposed to previous related works, its design allows for the droplet to flow in a microfluidic channel fabricated between the top strip and the ground plane of a microstrip transmission line. This provides enhanced interaction of the electromagnetic field with the detected droplets. The proposed design allows us to measure droplet size directly from the phase of the microwave signal, without the need for a resonator. The platform is based on low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC), which makes it more compatible with Radiofrequency (RF) and microwave technology than platforms used in previous works. With this platform, we are able to measure droplets as small as 150 µm in radius. It is worth pointing out that our device could also be used for detection, counting and measurement of other microscopic objects.
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18
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Wei L, Tian Y, Yan W, Cheung K, Ho D. Liquid-core waveguide TCSPC sensor for high-accuracy fluorescence lifetime analysis. Anal Bioanal Chem 2019; 411:3641-3652. [PMID: 31037372 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-019-01847-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Liquid-core waveguide (LCW) has many advantages such as the elimination of optical artifacts typically exhibited in systems employing lenses and filters. However, due to the effect of temporal dispersion, LCWs are typically employed in steady-state fluorescence detection microsystems rather than in fluorescence lifetime measurement (FLM) systems. In this paper, we present a compact liquid-core waveguide time-correlated single-photon counting (LCW-TCSPC) sensor for FLM. The propagation of excitation within the LCW is analyzed both analytically and in simulations, with results in agreement with experimental characterization. Results reveal an optimal region within the LCW for highly accurate FLM. The proposed prototype achieves excellent excitation rejection and low temporal dispersion as a result of optimization of the propagation length of the excitation within the LCW. The prototype achieves a detection limit of 5 nM for Coumarin 6 in dimethyl sulfoxide with < 3% lifetime error. The techniques proposed for analyzing the LCW for TCSPC based FLM and prototype demonstration pave the way for developing high-performance fluorescence lifetime measurement for microfluidics and point-of-care applications. Graphical abstract A compact liquid-core waveguide time-correlated single-photon counting (LCW-TCSPC) sensor for fluorescence lifetime measurement (FLM) is presented. Results reveal an optimal propagation length region within the LCW for highly accurate FLM. The prototype achieves a detection limit of 5 nM for Coumarin 6 in dimethyl sulfoxide with < 3% lifetime error.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Wei
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Yi Tian
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Wenrong Yan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Kawai Cheung
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Derek Ho
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
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19
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Holzner G, Du Y, Cao X, Choo J, J deMello A, Stavrakis S. An optofluidic system with integrated microlens arrays for parallel imaging flow cytometry. LAB ON A CHIP 2018; 18:3631-3637. [PMID: 30357206 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00593a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, high-speed imaging has become increasingly effective for the rapid analysis of single cells in flowing environments. Single cell imaging methods typically incorporate a minimum magnification of 10× when extracting sizing and morphological information. Although information content may be significantly enhanced by increasing magnification, this is accompanied by a corresponding reduction in field of view, and thus a decrease in the number of cells assayed per unit time. Accordingly, the acquisition of high resolution data from wide field views remains an unsolved challenge. To address this issue, we present an optofluidic flow cytometer integrating a refractive, microlens array (MLA) for imaging cells at high linear velocities, whilst maximizing the number of cells per field of view. To achieve this, we adopt an elasto-inertial approach for cell focusing within an array of parallel microfluidic channels, each equipped with a microlens. We characterize the optical performance of the microlenses in terms of image formation, magnification and resolution using both ray-tracing simulations and experimental measurements. Results demonstrate that the optofluidic platform can efficiently count and magnify micron-sized objects up to 4 times. Finally, we demonstrate the capabilities of the platform as an imaging flow cyclometer, demonstrating the efficient discrimination of hB and Jurkat cells at throughputs up to 50 000 cells per second.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregor Holzner
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Vladimir Prelog Weg 1, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Ying Du
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Vladimir Prelog Weg 1, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland. and College of Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China
| | - Xiaobao Cao
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Vladimir Prelog Weg 1, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Jaebum Choo
- Department of Bionano Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, South Korea
| | - Andrew J deMello
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Vladimir Prelog Weg 1, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Stavros Stavrakis
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Vladimir Prelog Weg 1, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
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20
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Hayat Z, El Abed AI. High-Throughput Optofluidic Acquisition of Microdroplets in Microfluidic Systems. MICROMACHINES 2018; 9:E183. [PMID: 30424116 PMCID: PMC6187520 DOI: 10.3390/mi9040183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Droplet optofluidics technology aims at manipulating the tiny volume of fluids confined in micro-droplets with light, while exploiting their interaction to create "digital" micro-systems with highly significant scientific and technological interests. Manipulating droplets with light is particularly attractive since the latter provides wavelength and intensity tunability, as well as high temporal and spatial resolution. In this review study, we focus mainly on recent methods developed in order to monitor real-time analysis of droplet size and size distribution, active merging of microdroplets using light, or to use microdroplets as optical probes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zain Hayat
- Laboratoire de Photonique Quantique et Moléculaire, UMR 8537, Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris Saclay, CentraleSupélec, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 61 avenue du Président Wilson, 94235 Cachan, France.
| | - Abdel I El Abed
- Laboratoire de Photonique Quantique et Moléculaire, UMR 8537, Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris Saclay, CentraleSupélec, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 61 avenue du Président Wilson, 94235 Cachan, France.
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21
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Jang H, Refatul Haq M, Kim Y, Kim J, Oh PH, Ju J, Kim SM, Lim J. Fabrication of Glass Microchannel via Glass Imprinting using a Vitreous Carbon Stamp for Flow Focusing Droplet Generator. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2017; 18:E83. [PMID: 29286341 PMCID: PMC5795384 DOI: 10.3390/s18010083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2017] [Revised: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This study reports a cost-effective method of replicating glass microfluidic chips using a vitreous carbon (VC) stamp. A glass replica with the required microfluidic microstructures was synthesized without etching. The replication method uses a VC stamp fabricated by combining thermal replication using a furan-based, thermally-curable polymer with carbonization. To test the feasibility of this method, a flow focusing droplet generator with flow-focusing and channel widths of 50 µm and 100 µm, respectively, was successfully fabricated in a soda-lime glass substrate. Deviation between the geometries of the initial shape and the vitreous carbon mold occurred because of shrinkage during the carbonization process, however this effect could be predicted and compensated for. Finally, the monodispersity of the droplets generated by the fabricated microfluidic device was evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyungjun Jang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Korea.
| | - Muhammad Refatul Haq
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Korea.
| | - Youngkyu Kim
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Korea.
| | - Jun Kim
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Korea.
| | - Pyoung-Hwa Oh
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Korea.
| | - Jonghyun Ju
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Korea.
| | - Seok-Min Kim
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Korea.
| | - Jiseok Lim
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-Ro, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38541, Korea.
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22
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Wiedemeier S, Eichler M, Römer R, Grodrian A, Lemke K, Nagel K, Klages CP, Gastrock G. Parametric studies on droplet generation reproducibility for applications with biological relevant fluids. Eng Life Sci 2017; 17:1271-1280. [PMID: 29399017 PMCID: PMC5765517 DOI: 10.1002/elsc.201700086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Revised: 08/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the great potential of droplet based microfluidic technologies for routine applications in industry and academia has been successfully demonstrated over the past years, its inherent potential is not fully exploited till now. Especially regarding to the droplet generation reproducibility and stability, two pivotally important parameters for successful applications, there is still a need for improvement. This is even more considerable when droplets are created to investigate tissue fragments or cell cultures (e.g. suspended cells or 3D cell cultures) over days or even weeks. In this study we present microfluidic chips composed of a plasma coated polymer, which allow surfactants-free, highly reproducible and stable droplet generation from fluids like cell culture media. We demonstrate how different microfluidic designs and different flow rates (and flow rate ratios) affect the reproducibility of the droplet generation process and display the applicability for a wide variety of bio(techno)logically relevant media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Wiedemeier
- Bioprocess Engineering Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V. (iba) Heilbad Heiligenstadt Germany
| | - Marko Eichler
- Atmospheric Pressure Processes Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films (IST) Braunschweig Germany
| | - Robert Römer
- Bioprocess Engineering Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V. (iba) Heilbad Heiligenstadt Germany
| | - Andreas Grodrian
- Bioprocess Engineering Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V. (iba) Heilbad Heiligenstadt Germany
| | - Karen Lemke
- Bioprocess Engineering Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V. (iba) Heilbad Heiligenstadt Germany
| | - Krees Nagel
- Atmospheric Pressure Processes Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films (IST) Braunschweig Germany
| | - Claus-Peter Klages
- Atmospheric Pressure Processes Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films (IST) Braunschweig Germany
| | - Gunter Gastrock
- Bioprocess Engineering Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V. (iba) Heilbad Heiligenstadt Germany
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23
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Bates KE, Lu H. Optics-Integrated Microfluidic Platforms for Biomolecular Analyses. Biophys J 2017; 110:1684-1697. [PMID: 27119629 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2016.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Revised: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Compared with conventional optical methods, optics implemented on microfluidic chips provide small, and often much cheaper ways to interrogate biological systems from the level of single molecules up to small model organisms. The optical probing of single molecules has been used to investigate the mechanical properties of individual biological molecules; however, multiplexing of these measurements through microfluidics and nanofluidics confers many analytical advantages. Optics-integrated microfluidic systems can significantly simplify sample processing and allow a more user-friendly experience; alignments of on-chip optical components are predetermined during fabrication and many purely optical techniques are passively controlled. Furthermore, sample loss from complicated preparation and fluid transfer steps can be virtually eliminated, a particularly important attribute for biological molecules at very low concentrations. Excellent fluid handling and high surface area/volume ratios also contribute to faster detection times for low abundance molecules in small sample volumes. Although integration of optical systems with classical microfluidic analysis techniques has been limited, microfluidics offers a ready platform for interrogation of biophysical properties. By exploiting the ease with which fluids and particles can be precisely and dynamically controlled in microfluidic devices, optical sensors capable of unique imaging modes, single molecule manipulation, and detection of minute changes in concentration of an analyte are possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen E Bates
- Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia; School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Hang Lu
- Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia; School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia.
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24
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Zhang D, Xu Q, Fang C, Wang K, Wang X, Zhuang S, Dai B. Fabrication of a Microlens Array with Controlled Curvature by Thermally Curving Photosensitive Gel Film beneath Microholes. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:16604-16609. [PMID: 28452461 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b00766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A rapid method is developed for fabricating low-cost and high-numerical-aperture photosensitive-gel microlens arrays (MLAs) with well-controlled curvatures. An UV-curable photosensitive-gel film beneath the microholes of a silicon mold can be flexibly deformed by thermally manipulating the surface tension of the photosensitive gel and the pressure difference across the air-photosensitive-gel interface. The concave interface is then solidified through UV curing, forming a MLA with a concave curvature. MLAs with a focal length ranging from 51.4 to 71.9 μm and a numerical aperture (NA) of 0.49 were fabricated. The photocured MLA has high mechanical and thermal strength and is suitable as a master mold for the further production of convex MLAs. The fabricated microlenses have uniform shapes and smooth surfaces. In a demonstration of imaging and focusing performance, clear and uniform images and focused light spots were observed using concave and convex MLAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Optical Instrument and System, the Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Modern Optical System, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology , Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Qiao Xu
- Engineering Research Center of Optical Instrument and System, the Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Modern Optical System, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology , Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Chaolong Fang
- Engineering Research Center of Optical Instrument and System, the Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Modern Optical System, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology , Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Kaimin Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Optical Instrument and System, the Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Modern Optical System, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology , Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Xu Wang
- The Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University , Edinburgh EH14 4AS, U.K
| | - Songlin Zhuang
- Engineering Research Center of Optical Instrument and System, the Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Modern Optical System, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology , Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Bo Dai
- Engineering Research Center of Optical Instrument and System, the Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Modern Optical System, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology , Shanghai 200093, China
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25
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Gholizadeh S, Shehata Draz M, Zarghooni M, Sanati-Nezhad A, Ghavami S, Shafiee H, Akbari M. Microfluidic approaches for isolation, detection, and characterization of extracellular vesicles: Current status and future directions. Biosens Bioelectron 2017; 91:588-605. [PMID: 28088752 PMCID: PMC5323331 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2016.12.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2016] [Revised: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived vesicles present in body fluids that play an essential role in various cellular processes, such as intercellular communication, inflammation, cellular homeostasis, survival, transport, and regeneration. Their isolation and analysis from body fluids have a great clinical potential to provide information on a variety of disease states such as cancer, cardiovascular complications and inflammatory disorders. Despite increasing scientific and clinical interest in this field, there are still no standardized procedures available for the purification, detection, and characterization of EVs. Advances in microfluidics allow for chemical sampling with increasingly high spatial resolution and under precise manipulation down to single molecule level. In this review, our objective is to give a brief overview on the working principle and examples of the isolation and detection methods with the potential to be used for extracellular vesicles. This review will also highlight the integrated on-chip systems for isolation and characterization of EVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shima Gholizadeh
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mohamed Shehata Draz
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Maryam Zarghooni
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto Alumni, Toronto, Canada
| | - Amir Sanati-Nezhad
- Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Center for Bioengineering Research and Education, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Saeid Ghavami
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto Alumni, Toronto, Canada; Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Center for Bioengineering Research and Education, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Human Anatomy& Cell Science, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; Children Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Canada; Health Research Policy Centre, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hadi Shafiee
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Mohsen Akbari
- Laboratory for Innovation in Microengineering (LiME), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd., Victoria, BC, Canada V8P 2C5; Center for Biomedical Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada; Center for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada.
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26
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Bonabi A, Cito S, Tammela P, Jokinen V, Sikanen T. Fabrication of concave micromirrors for single cell imaging via controlled over-exposure of organically modified ceramics in single step lithography. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2017; 11:034118. [PMID: 28652888 PMCID: PMC5468119 DOI: 10.1063/1.4985653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
This work describes the fabrication of concave micromirrors to improve the sensitivity of fluorescence imaging, for instance, in single cell analysis. A new approach to fabrication of tunable round (concave) cross-sectional shaped microchannels out of the inorganic-organic hybrid polymer, Ormocomp®, via single step optical lithography was developed and validated. The concave micromirrors were implemented by depositing and patterning thin films of aluminum on top of the concave microchannels. The round cross-sectional shape was due to residual layer formation, which is inherent to Ormocomp® upon UV exposure in the proximity mode. We show that it is possible to control the residual layer thickness and thus the curved shape of the microchannel cross-sectional profile and eventually the focal length of the micromirror, by simply adjusting the UV exposure dose and the distance of the proximity gap (to the photomask). In general, an increase in the exposure dose or in the distance of the proximity gap results in a thicker residual layer and thus an increase in the radius of the microchannel curvature. Under constant exposure conditions, the radius of curvature is almost linearly dependent on the microchannel aspect ratio, i.e., the width (here, 20-200 μm) and the depth (here, 15-45 μm). Depending on the focal length, up to 8-fold signal enhancement over uncoated, round Ormocomp® microchannels was achieved in single cell imaging with the help of the converging micromirrors in an epifluorescence microscopy configuration.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bonabi
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - S Cito
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - P Tammela
- Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - V Jokinen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Technology, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
| | - T Sikanen
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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27
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Yelleswarapu VR, Jeong HH, Yadavali S, Issadore D. Ultra-high throughput detection (1 million droplets per second) of fluorescent droplets using a cell phone camera and time domain encoded optofluidics. LAB ON A CHIP 2017; 17:1083-1094. [PMID: 28225099 DOI: 10.1039/c6lc01489e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Droplet-based assays-in which ultra-sensitive molecular measurements are made by performing millions of parallel experiments in picoliter droplets-have generated enormous enthusiasm due to their single molecule resolution and robustness to reaction conditions. These assays have great untapped potential for point of care diagnostics but are currently confined to laboratory settings due to the instrumentation necessary to serially generate, control, and measure tens of millions of droplets. To address this challenge, we have developed the microdroplet megascale detector (μMD) that can generate and detect the fluorescence of millions of droplets per second (1000× faster than conventional approaches) using only a conventional cell phone camera. The key innovation of our approach is borrowed from the telecommunications industry, wherein we modulate the excitation light with a pseudorandom sequence that enables individual droplets to be resolved that would otherwise overlap due to the limited frame rate of digital cameras. Using this approach, the μMD measures droplets at a rate of 106 droplets per sec (ϕ = 166 mL h-1) in 120 parallel microfluidic channels and achieves a limit of detection LOD = 1 μM Rhodamine dye, sufficient for typical droplet based assays. We incorporate this new droplet detection technology with our previously reported parallelized droplet production strategy, incorporating 200 parallel droplet makers and only one set of continuous and droplet phase inputs and one output line. By miniaturizing and integrating droplet based diagnostics into a handheld format, the μMD platform can translate ultra-sensitive droplet based assays into a self-contained platform for practical use in clinical and industrial settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkata R Yelleswarapu
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | - Heon-Ho Jeong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sagar Yadavali
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | - David Issadore
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. and Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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28
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Zuo H, Choi DY, Gai X, Luther-Davies B, Zhang B. CMOS compatible fabrication of micro, nano convex silicon lens arrays by conformal chemical vapor deposition. OPTICS EXPRESS 2017; 25:3069-3076. [PMID: 28241523 DOI: 10.1364/oe.25.003069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We present a novel CMOS-compatible fabrication technique for convex micro-nano lens arrays (MNLAs) with high packing density on the wafer scale. By means of conformal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) following patterning of silicon pillars via electron beam lithography (EBL) and plasma etching, large areas of a close packed silicon lens array with the diameter from a few micrometers down to a few hundred nanometers was fabricated. The resulting structure shows excellent surface roughness and high uniformity. The optical focusing properties of the lenses at infrared wavelengths were verified by experimental measurements and numerical simulation. This approach provides a feasible solution for fabricating silicon MNLAs compatible for next generation large scale, miniaturized optical imaging detectors and related optical devices.
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29
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Relocation sensors to quantify signaling dynamics in live single cells. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2017; 45:51-58. [PMID: 28131009 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2016.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Revised: 11/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
All cells are different. Even isogenic cells can possess diverse shapes, reside in different cell-cycle stages or express various sets of proteins. These variations can modulate the cell response to environmental stimuli and thereby provide key insights into the regulation of signal transduction cascades. Fluorescence microscopy allows to visualize these differences and monitor in real-time the responses of live single cells. In order to observe key cellular events, fluorescent biosensors have been developed. Among many assays, relocation reporters play an important role since they enable the quantification of the signal transduction dynamics. Fluorescently tagged endogenous proteins, as well as synthetic constructs, have allowed the measurement of kinase activity, transcription factor activation, transcription and protein expression in live single cells.
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30
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Choi W, Shin R, Lim J, Kang S. Design methodology for a confocal imaging system using an objective microlens array with an increased working distance. Sci Rep 2016; 6:33278. [PMID: 27615370 PMCID: PMC5018843 DOI: 10.1038/srep33278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, a design methodology for a multi-optical probe confocal imaging system was developed. To develop an imaging system that has the required resolving power and imaging area, this study focused on a design methodology to create a scalable and easy-to-implement confocal imaging system. This system overcomes the limitations of the optical complexities of conventional multi-optical probe confocal imaging systems and the short working distance using a micro-objective lens module composed of two microlens arrays and a telecentric relay optical system. The micro-objective lens module was fabricated on a glass substrate using backside alignment photolithography and thermal reflow processes. To test the feasibility of the developed methodology, an optical system with a resolution of 1 μm/pixel using multi-optical probes with an array size of 10 × 10 was designed and constructed. The developed system provides a 1 mm × 1 mm field of view and a sample scanning range of 100 μm. The optical resolution was evaluated by conducting sample tests using a knife-edge detecting method. The measured lateral resolution of the system was 0.98 μm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woojae Choi
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Ryung Shin
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, South Korea.,National Center for Optically-assisted Ultrahigh-precision Mechanical Systems, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Jiseok Lim
- National Center for Optically-assisted Ultrahigh-precision Mechanical Systems, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, South Korea.,School of Mechanical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 38541, South Korea
| | - Shinill Kang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, South Korea.,National Center for Optically-assisted Ultrahigh-precision Mechanical Systems, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
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31
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Lv C, Xia H, Guan W, Sun YL, Tian ZN, Jiang T, Wang YS, Zhang YL, Chen QD, Ariga K, Yu YD, Sun HB. Integrated optofluidic-microfluidic twin channels: toward diverse application of lab-on-a-chip systems. Sci Rep 2016; 6:19801. [PMID: 26823292 PMCID: PMC4731762 DOI: 10.1038/srep19801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Optofluidics, which integrates microfluidics and micro-optical components, is crucial for optical sensing, fluorescence analysis, and cell detection. However, the realization of an integrated system from optofluidic manipulation and a microfluidic channel is often hampered by the lack of a universal substrate for achieving monolithic integration. In this study, we report on an integrated optofluidic-microfluidic twin channels chip fabricated by one-time exposure photolithography, in which the twin microchannels on both surfaces of the substrate were exactly aligned in the vertical direction. The twin microchannels can be controlled independently, meaning that fluids could flow through both microchannels simultaneously without interfering with each other. As representative examples, a tunable hydrogel microlens was integrated into the optofluidic channel by femtosecond laser direct writing, which responds to the salt solution concentration and could be used to detect the microstructure at different depths. The integration of such optofluidic and microfluidic channels provides an opportunity to apply optofluidic detection practically and may lead to great promise for the integration and miniaturization of Lab-on-a-Chip systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Lv
- State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, 130012, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hong Xia
- State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, 130012, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Guan
- State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, 130012, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yun-Lu Sun
- State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, 130012, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhen-Nan Tian
- State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, 130012, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, 130012, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ying-Shuai Wang
- State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, 130012, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yong-Lai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, 130012, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qi-Dai Chen
- State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, 130012, People’s Republic of China
| | - Katsuhiko Ariga
- International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA), National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, 305-0044 Japan
- Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO) and Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Japan
| | - Yu-De Yu
- State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics, Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Hong-Bo Sun
- State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, 130012, People’s Republic of China
- College of Physics, Jilin University, 119 Jiefang Road, Changchun, 130023, People’s Republic of China
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32
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander K. Price
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, United States
| | - Brian M. Paegel
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, United States
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33
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Yesiloz G, Boybay MS, Ren CL. Label-free high-throughput detection and content sensing of individual droplets in microfluidic systems. LAB ON A CHIP 2015; 15:4008-19. [PMID: 26351007 DOI: 10.1039/c5lc00314h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
This study reports a microwave-microfluidics integrated approach capable of performing droplet detection at high-throughput as well as content sensing of individual droplets without chemical or physical intrusion. The sensing system consists of a custom microwave circuitry and a spiral-shaped microwave resonator that is integrated with microfluidic chips where droplets are generated. The microwave circuitry is very cost effective by using off-the-shelf components only. It eliminates the need for bulky benchtop equipment, and provides a compact, rapid and sensitive tool compatible for Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC) platforms. To evaluate the resonator's sensing capability, it was first applied to differentiate between single-phase fluids which are aqueous solutions with different concentrations of glucose and potassium chloride respectively by measuring its reflection coefficient as a function of frequency. The minimum concentration assessed was 0.001 g ml(-1) for potassium chloride and 0.01 g ml(-1) for glucose. In the droplet detection experiments, it is demonstrated that the microwave sensor is able to detect droplets generated at as high throughput as 3.33 kHz. Around two million droplets were counted over a period of ten minutes without any missing. For droplet sensing experiments, pairs of droplets that were encapsulated with biological materials were generated alternatively in a double T-junction configuration and clearly identified by the microwave sensor. The sensed biological materials include fetal bovine serum, penicillin antibiotic mixture, milk (2% mf) and d-(+)-glucose. This system has significant advantages over optical detection methods in terms of its cost, size and compatibility with LOC settings and also presents significant improvements over other electrical-based detection techniques in terms of its sensitivity and throughput.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurkan Yesiloz
- Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada.
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34
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Lim J, Caen O, Vrignon J, Konrad M, Taly V, Baret JC. Parallelized ultra-high throughput microfluidic emulsifier for multiplex kinetic assays. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2015; 9:034101. [PMID: 26015838 PMCID: PMC4425725 DOI: 10.1063/1.4919415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Droplet-based microfluidic technologies are powerful tools for applications requiring high-throughput, for example, in biochemistry or material sciences. Several systems have been proposed for the high-throughput production of monodisperse emulsions by parallelizing multiple droplet makers. However, these systems have two main limitations: (1) they allow the use of only a single disperse phase; (2) they are based on multiple layer microfabrication techniques. We present here a pipette-and-play solution offering the possibility of manipulating simultaneously 10 different disperse phases on a single layer device. This system allows high-throughput emulsion production using aqueous flow rates of up to 26 ml/h (>110 000 drops/s) leading to emulsions with user-defined complex chemical composition. We demonstrate the multiplex capabilities of our system by measuring the kinetics of β-galactosidase in droplets using nine different concentrations of a fluorogenic substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Manfred Konrad
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry , Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Valérie Taly
- Université Paris Sorbonne Cité , INSERM UMR-S1147, Centre Universitaire des Saints-Pères, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75270 Paris Cedex 06, France
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35
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Kim M, Pan M, Gai Y, Pang S, Han C, Yang C, Tang SKY. Optofluidic ultrahigh-throughput detection of fluorescent drops. LAB ON A CHIP 2015; 15:1417-23. [PMID: 25588522 DOI: 10.1039/c4lc01465k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
This paper describes an optofluidic droplet interrogation device capable of counting fluorescent drops at a throughput of 254,000 drops per second. To our knowledge, this rate is the highest interrogation rate published thus far. Our device consists of 16 parallel microfluidic channels bonded directly to a filter-coated two-dimensional Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) sensor array. Fluorescence signals emitted from the drops are collected by the sensor that forms the bottom of the channel. The proximity of the drops to the sensor facilitates efficient collection of fluorescence emission from the drops, and overcomes the trade-off between light collection efficiency and field of view in conventional microscopy. The interrogation rate of our device is currently limited by the acquisition speed of CMOS sensor, and is expected to increase further as high-speed sensors become increasingly available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minkyu Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA.
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36
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Bokeh microscopy-enabled microfluidic channels for facile point-of-care monitoring. Biomed Microdevices 2015; 17:13. [PMID: 25653063 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-014-9916-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
We report the implementation of the bokeh microscopy scheme in microfluidic settings for future applications in point-of-care microchannel monitoring in highly resource-limited environments. We realize the functional integration using a single polymer microlens fabricated over the microchannel. The inherent simplicity of the bokeh microscopy enables image capturing with an off-the-shelf camera. Our pilot devices exhibit 10 ∼ 40 of magnification and 67 ∼ 252 μm of field-of-view extent, confirming their utility for monitoring 50 ∼ 100 μm microchannels carrying 10 ∼ 50 μm objects.
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37
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Jung H, Jeong KH. Monolithic polymer microlens arrays with high numerical aperture and high packing density. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2015; 7:2160-5. [PMID: 25612820 DOI: 10.1021/am5077809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
This work reports a novel method for monolithic fabrication of high numerical aperture polymer microlens arrays (high-NA MLAs) with high packing density (PD) at wafer level. The close-packed high-NA MLAs were fabricated by incorporating conformal deposition of ultrathin fluorocarbon nanofilm and melting the cylindrical polymer islands. The NA and PD of hemispherical MLAs with a hexagonal arrangement increase up to 0.6 and 89%, respectively. The increase of NA enhances the lens transmission securing the beam width down to 1.1 μm. The close-packed high-NA MLAs enable high photon collection efficiency with signal-to-noise ratio greater than 50:1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyukjin Jung
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering and KAIST Institute for Optical Science and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) , 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea
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38
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Muluneh M, Kim B, Buchsbaum G, Issadore D. Miniaturized, multiplexed readout of droplet-based microfluidic assays using time-domain modulation. LAB ON A CHIP 2014; 14:4638-46. [PMID: 25311204 PMCID: PMC4418803 DOI: 10.1039/c4lc00819g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in microfluidics to generate and control picoliter emulsions of water in oil have enabled ultra-sensitive assays for small molecules, proteins, nucleic acids, and cells. Unfortunately, the conventional fluorescence detection used to measure the outcome of these droplet-based assays has not proven suited to match the time and space multiplexing capabilities of microfluidic systems. To address this challenge, we developed an in-flow fluorescence detection platform that enables multiple streams of droplets to be monitored using only a single photodetector and no lenses. The key innovation of our technology is the amplitude modulation of the signal from fluorescent droplets using distinct micro-patterned masks for each channel. By taking advantage of the high bandwidth of electronics, our technique enables the velocity-independent recovery of weak fluorescent signals (SNR ≪ 1) using only simple hardware, obviating the need for lasers, bulky detectors, and complex fluid control. We demonstrated a handheld-sized device that simultaneously monitors four independent channels with the capability to be scaled-up to more than sixteen, limited primarily by the droplet density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melaku Muluneh
- Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Bawul Kim
- Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gershon Buchsbaum
- Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David Issadore
- Bioengineering and Electrical and Systems Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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39
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Gielen F, Buryska T, Vliet LV, Butz M, Damborsky J, Prokop Z, Hollfelder F. Interfacing Microwells with Nanoliter Compartments: A Sampler Generating High-Resolution Concentration Gradients for Quantitative Biochemical Analyses in Droplets. Anal Chem 2014; 87:624-32. [DOI: 10.1021/ac503336g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Fabrice Gielen
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Tomas Buryska
- International
Centre for Clinical Research, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Pekarska 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
- Loschmidt
Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and Research Centre
for Toxic Compounds in the Environment RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/A13, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Liisa Van Vliet
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Maren Butz
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Jiri Damborsky
- International
Centre for Clinical Research, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Pekarska 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
- Loschmidt
Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and Research Centre
for Toxic Compounds in the Environment RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/A13, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Prokop
- International
Centre for Clinical Research, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Pekarska 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
- Loschmidt
Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and Research Centre
for Toxic Compounds in the Environment RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/A13, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Florian Hollfelder
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
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40
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Wu TF, Yen TM, Han Y, Chiu YJ, Lin EYS, Lo YH. A light-sheet microscope compatible with mobile devices for label-free intracellular imaging and biosensing. LAB ON A CHIP 2014; 14:3341-8. [PMID: 24989638 DOI: 10.1039/c4lc00257a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The inner structure, especially the nuclear structure, of cells carries valuable information about disease and health conditions of a person. Here we demonstrate a label-free technique to enable direct observations and measurements of the size, shape and morphology of the cell nucleus. With a microfabricated lens and a commercial CMOS imager, we form a scanning light-sheet microscope to produce a dark-field optical scattering image of the cell nucleus that overlays with the bright-field image produced in a separate regime of the same CMOS sensor. We have used the device to detect nuclear features that characterize the life cycle of cells and have used the nucleus volume as a new parameter for cell classification. The device can be developed into a portable, low-cost, point-of-care device leveraging the capabilities of the CMOS imagers to be pervasive in mobile electronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsung-Feng Wu
- Materials Science Program, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0418, USA.
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41
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Yao X, Ju J, Yang S, Wang J, Jiang L. Temperature-driven switching of water adhesion on organogel surface. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2014; 26:1895-1900. [PMID: 24346858 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201304798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2013] [Revised: 11/20/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Temperature-driven switching of water adhesion is realized on a novel n-paraffinswollen organogel by thermally controlling the transition of air/liquid/solid (ALS/ALLS) systems via the phasechange process of n-paraffin. The thermal control of both the water-drop sliding motion and the switching of the optical transparency shows potential applications in scientific research and daily life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Yao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science (BNLMS), Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China; College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, P. R. China
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42
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Lim J, Vrignon J, Gruner P, Karamitros CS, Konrad M, Baret JC. Ultra-high throughput detection of single cell β-galactosidase activity in droplets using micro-optical lens array. APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS 2013; 103:203704. [PMID: 32095020 PMCID: PMC7028306 DOI: 10.1063/1.4830046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2013] [Accepted: 10/28/2013] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate the use of a hybrid microfluidic-micro-optical system for the screening of enzymatic activity at the single cell level. Escherichia coli β-galactosidase activity is revealed by a fluorogenic assay in 100 pl droplets. Individual droplets containing cells are screened by measuring their fluorescence signal using a high-speed camera. The measurement is parallelized over 100 channels equipped with microlenses and analyzed by image processing. A reinjection rate of 1 ml of emulsion per minute was reached corresponding to more than 105 droplets per second, an analytical throughput larger than those obtained using flow cytometry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jérémy Vrignon
- Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Am Fassberg 17, D-37077 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Philipp Gruner
- Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Am Fassberg 17, D-37077 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Christos S Karamitros
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Manfred Konrad
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Jean-Christophe Baret
- Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Am Fassberg 17, D-37077 Goettingen, Germany
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43
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Karamitros CS, Lim J, Konrad M. An Amplex Red-based fluorometric and spectrophotometric assay for L-asparaginase using its natural substrate. Anal Biochem 2013; 445:20-3. [PMID: 24113285 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2013.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2013] [Revised: 09/05/2013] [Accepted: 09/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We report on the development of a sensitive real-time assay for monitoring the activity of L-asparaginase that hydrolyzes L-asparagine to L-aspartate and ammonia. In this method, L-aspartate is oxidized by L-aspartate oxidase to iminoaspartate and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and in the detection step horseradish peroxidase uses H2O2 to convert the colorless, nonfluorescent reagent Amplex Red to the red-colored and highly fluorescent product resorufin. The assay was validated in both the absorbance and the fluorescence modes. We show that, due to its high sensitivity and substrate selectivity, this assay can be used to measure enzymatic activity in human serum containing L-asparaginase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos S Karamitros
- Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, D-37077 Goettingen, Germany
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44
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Zang E, Brandes S, Tovar M, Martin K, Mech F, Horbert P, Henkel T, Figge MT, Roth M. Real-time image processing for label-free enrichment of Actinobacteria cultivated in picolitre droplets. LAB ON A CHIP 2013; 13:3707-13. [PMID: 23881253 DOI: 10.1039/c3lc50572c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The majority of today's antimicrobial therapeutics is derived from secondary metabolites produced by Actinobacteria. While it is generally assumed that less than 1% of Actinobacteria species from soil habitats have been cultivated so far, classic screening approaches fail to supply new substances, often due to limited throughput and frequent rediscovery of already known strains. To overcome these restrictions, we implement high-throughput cultivation of soil-derived Actinobacteria in microfluidic pL-droplets by generating more than 600,000 pure cultures per hour from a spore suspension that can subsequently be incubated for days to weeks. Moreover, we introduce triggered imaging with real-time image-based droplet classification as a novel universal method for pL-droplet sorting. Growth-dependent droplet sorting at frequencies above 100 Hz is performed for label-free enrichment and extraction of microcultures. The combination of both cultivation of Actinobacteria in pL-droplets and real-time detection of growing Actinobacteria has great potential in screening for yet unknown species as well as their undiscovered natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emerson Zang
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
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