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Liu F, Gaul L, Giometto A, Wu M. A high throughput array microhabitat platform reveals how light and nitrogen colimit the growth of algal cells. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9860. [PMID: 38684720 PMCID: PMC11058252 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59041-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
A mechanistic understanding of algal growth is essential for maintaining a sustainable environment in an era of climate change and population expansion. It is known that algal growth is tightly controlled by complex interactive physical and chemical conditions. Many mathematical models have been proposed to describe the relation of algal growth and environmental parameters, but experimental verification has been difficult due to the lack of tools to measure cell growth under precise physical and chemical conditions. As such, current models depend on the specific testing systems, and the fitted growth kinetic constants vary widely for the same organisms in the existing literature. Here, we present a microfluidic platform where both light intensity and nutrient gradients can be well controlled for algal cell growth studies. In particular, light shading is avoided, a common problem in macroscale assays. Our results revealed that light and nitrogen colimit the growth of algal cells, with each contributing a Monod growth kinetic term in a multiplicative model. We argue that the microfluidic platform can lead towards a general culture system independent algal growth model with systematic screening of many environmental parameters. Our work advances technology for algal cell growth studies and provides essential information for future bioreactor designs and ecological predictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangchen Liu
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Larissa Gaul
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Andrea Giometto
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Mingming Wu
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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2
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Bae J, Jeon H, Kim T. Full-Combinatorial Concentration Gradient Array with 3D Micro/Nanofluidics for Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing. Anal Chem 2024; 96:5462-5470. [PMID: 38511829 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c05501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Recent advancements in micro/nanofluidics have facilitated on-chip microscopy of cellular responses in a high-throughput and controlled microenvironment with the desired physicochemical properties. Despite its potential benefits to combination drug discovery, generating a complete combinatorial set of concentration gradients for multiple reagents in an array format remains challenging. The main reason is limited layouts of conventional micro/nanofluidic systems based on two-dimensional channel networks. In this paper, we present a device with three-dimensional (3D) interconnection of micro/nanochannels capable of generating a complete combinatorial set of concentration gradients for two reagents. The device was readily fabricated by laminating a pair of multilayered monolithic films containing a Christmas tree-like mixer, a cell culture chamber array, and through-holes, all within each single film. We assessed the reliable generation of a full-combinatorial concentration gradient array and validated it by using numerical analysis. We applied the proposed device to test the antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial cells in a convenient one-step manner. Furthermore, we explored the potential of the device to accommodate the arrayed complete combinatorial set for two or more drugs, while extending the capabilities of our laminated object manufacturing method for realizing 3D micro/nanofluidic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juyeol Bae
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-Gil, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwisu Jeon
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-Gil, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- TK Medical Solution Inc., 50 UNIST-Gil, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Taesung Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-Gil, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-Gil, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- TK Medical Solution Inc., 50 UNIST-Gil, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
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3
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Du Z, Chen L, Yang S. Advancements in the research of finger-actuated POCT chips. Mikrochim Acta 2023; 191:65. [PMID: 38158397 DOI: 10.1007/s00604-023-06140-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Microfluidic point-of-care testing (POCT) chips are used to enable the mixing and reaction of small sample volumes, facilitating target molecule detection. Traditional methods for actuating POCT chips rely on external pumps or power supplies, which are complex and non-portable. The development of finger-actuated chips has reduced operational difficulty and improved portability, promoting the development of POCT chips. This paper reviews the significance, developments, and potential applications of finger-actuated POCT chips. Three methods for controlling the flow accuracy of finger-actuated chips are summarized: direct push, indirect control, and sample injection control method, along with their respective advantages and disadvantages. Meanwhile, a comprehensive analysis of multi-fluid driving modes is provided, categorizing them into single-push multi-driving and multi-push multi-driving modes. Furthermore, recent research breakthroughs in finger-actuated chips are thoroughly summarized, and their structures, driving, and detection methods are discussed. Finally, this paper discusses the driving performance of finger-actuated chips, the suitability of detection scenarios, and the compatibility with existing detection technologies. It also provides prospects for the future development and application of finger-actuated POCT chips.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhichang Du
- College of Marine Equipment and Mechanical Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Ling Chen
- College of Marine Equipment and Mechanical Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China.
| | - Shaohui Yang
- College of Marine Equipment and Mechanical Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China
- Key Laboratory of Ocean Renewable Energy Equipment of Fujian Province, Xiamen, 361021, China
- Key Laboratory of Energy Cleaning Utilization and Development of Fujian Province, Xiamen, 361021, China
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4
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Datta SS, Battiato I, Fernø MA, Juanes R, Parsa S, Prigiobbe V, Santanach-Carreras E, Song W, Biswal SL, Sinton D. Lab on a chip for a low-carbon future. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:1358-1375. [PMID: 36789954 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00020b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Transitioning our society to a sustainable future, with low or net-zero carbon emissions to the atmosphere, will require a wide-spread transformation of energy and environmental technologies. In this perspective article, we describe how lab-on-a-chip (LoC) systems can help address this challenge by providing insight into the fundamental physical and geochemical processes underlying new technologies critical to this transition, and developing the new processes and materials required. We focus on six areas: (I) subsurface carbon sequestration, (II) subsurface hydrogen storage, (III) geothermal energy extraction, (IV) bioenergy, (V) recovering critical materials, and (VI) water filtration and remediation. We hope to engage the LoC community in the many opportunities within the transition ahead, and highlight the potential of LoC approaches to the broader community of researchers, industry experts, and policy makers working toward a low-carbon future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujit S Datta
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton NJ, USA.
| | - Ilenia Battiato
- Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Palo Alto CA, USA
| | - Martin A Fernø
- Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, 5020, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ruben Juanes
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge MA, USA
| | - Shima Parsa
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester NY, USA
| | - Valentina Prigiobbe
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Ocean Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken NJ, USA
- Department of Geosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Wen Song
- Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin TX, USA
| | - Sibani Lisa Biswal
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
| | - David Sinton
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto ON, Canada.
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5
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Liu F, Gaul L, Shu F, Vitenson D, Wu M. Microscope-based light gradient generation for quantitative growth studies of photosynthetic micro-organisms. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:3138-3146. [PMID: 35730387 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00393g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Photosynthetic micro-organisms are equipped with molecular machineries that are designed to transform light into chemical or bioenergy, and help shape and balance the ecosystem of all life forms on earth. Recently, aquatic ecosystems have been disrupted by climate change, which leads to the frequent occurrence of harmful algal blooms (HABs). HABs endanger drinking water resources and harm the fishing and coastal recreation industries. Despite its urgency, mechanistic understanding of how key biophysical and biochemical parameters impact algal growth is largely unexplored. In this article, we developed a microscope-based light gradient generator for studies of photosynthetic micro-organisms under well-defined light intensity gradients. This technology utilized a commercially available microscope, allowed for controlled light exposure and imaging of cells on the same microscope platform, and can be integrated with any micrometer-scale device. Using this technology, we studied the role of light intensity in the growth of photosynthetic micro-organisms. A parallel study was also carried out using a 96-well plate. Our work revealed that the growth rate of the microalgae/cyanobacteria was significantly regulated by the light intensity and followed Monod or van Oorschot kinetic models. The measured half-saturation constants were compared with those obtained in macro-scale devices, and indicated that shading, light spectrum, and temperature may all play important roles in the light sensitivity of photosynthetic micro-organisms. This work highlighted the importance of analytical tools for quantitative understanding of biophysical parameters in the growth of photosynthetic micro-organisms, and knowledge learned will be critical in the design of future technologies for managing algal blooms or optimizing bioenergy production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangchen Liu
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Larissa Gaul
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Fang Shu
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Daniel Vitenson
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Mingming Wu
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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Bleisch R, Freitag L, Ihadjadene Y, Sprenger U, Steingröwer J, Walther T, Krujatz F. Strain Development in Microalgal Biotechnology-Random Mutagenesis Techniques. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12070961. [PMID: 35888051 PMCID: PMC9315690 DOI: 10.3390/life12070961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Microalgal biomass and metabolites can be used as a renewable source of nutrition, pharmaceuticals and energy to maintain or improve the quality of human life. Microalgae’s high volumetric productivity and low impact on the environment make them a promising raw material in terms of both ecology and economics. To optimize biotechnological processes with microalgae, improving the productivity and robustness of the cell factories is a major step towards economically viable bioprocesses. This review provides an overview of random mutagenesis techniques that are applied to microalgal cell factories, with a particular focus on physical and chemical mutagens, mutagenesis conditions and mutant characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Bleisch
- Institute of Natural Materials Technology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany; (R.B.); (L.F.); (Y.I.); (U.S.); (J.S.); (T.W.)
| | - Leander Freitag
- Institute of Natural Materials Technology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany; (R.B.); (L.F.); (Y.I.); (U.S.); (J.S.); (T.W.)
| | - Yob Ihadjadene
- Institute of Natural Materials Technology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany; (R.B.); (L.F.); (Y.I.); (U.S.); (J.S.); (T.W.)
| | - Una Sprenger
- Institute of Natural Materials Technology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany; (R.B.); (L.F.); (Y.I.); (U.S.); (J.S.); (T.W.)
| | - Juliane Steingröwer
- Institute of Natural Materials Technology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany; (R.B.); (L.F.); (Y.I.); (U.S.); (J.S.); (T.W.)
| | - Thomas Walther
- Institute of Natural Materials Technology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany; (R.B.); (L.F.); (Y.I.); (U.S.); (J.S.); (T.W.)
| | - Felix Krujatz
- Institute of Natural Materials Technology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany; (R.B.); (L.F.); (Y.I.); (U.S.); (J.S.); (T.W.)
- Biotopa gGmbH—Center for Applied Aquaculture & Bioeconomy, 01454 Radeberg, Germany
- Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Görlitz, 02763 Zittau, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Yu S, Zeng W, Xu S, Zhou J. Expediting the growth of plant-based meat alternatives by microfluidic technology: identification of the opportunities and challenges. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2022; 75:102720. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Benner P, Meier L, Pfeffer A, Krüger K, Oropeza Vargas JE, Weuster-Botz D. Lab-scale photobioreactor systems: principles, applications, and scalability. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2022; 45:791-813. [PMID: 35303143 PMCID: PMC9033726 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-022-02711-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Phototrophic microorganisms that convert carbon dioxide are being explored for their capacity to solve different environmental issues and produce bioactive compounds for human therapeutics and as food additives. Full-scale phototrophic cultivation of microalgae and cyanobacteria can be done in open ponds or closed photobioreactor systems, which have a broad range of volumes. This review focuses on laboratory-scale photobioreactors and their different designs. Illuminated microtiter plates and microfluidic devices offer an option for automated high-throughput studies with microalgae. Illuminated shake flasks are used for simple uncontrolled batch studies. The application of illuminated bubble column reactors strongly emphasizes homogenous gas distribution, while illuminated flat plate bioreactors offer high and uniform light input. Illuminated stirred-tank bioreactors facilitate the application of very well-defined reaction conditions. Closed tubular photobioreactors as well as open photobioreactors like small-scale raceway ponds and thin-layer cascades are applied as scale-down models of the respective large-scale bioreactors. A few other less common designs such as illuminated plastic bags or aquarium tanks are also used mainly because of their relatively low cost, but up-scaling of these designs is challenging with additional light-driven issues. Finally, this review covers recommendations on the criteria for photobioreactor selection and operation while up-scaling of phototrophic bioprocesses with microalgae or cyanobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Benner
- Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Chair of Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Boltzmannstraße 15, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Lisa Meier
- Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Boltzmannstraße 15, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Annika Pfeffer
- Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Boltzmannstraße 15, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Konstantin Krüger
- Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Boltzmannstraße 15, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - José Enrique Oropeza Vargas
- Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Boltzmannstraße 15, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Dirk Weuster-Botz
- Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Chair of Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Boltzmannstraße 15, 85748, Garching, Germany.
- Technical University of Munich, TUM-AlgaeTec Center, 85521, Taufkirchen, Germany.
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9
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Hawkins J, Miao X, Cui W, Sun Y. Surface functionalization of poly(dimethylsiloxane) substrates facilitates culture of pre-implantation mouse embryos by blocking non-selective adsorption. J R Soc Interface 2022; 19:20210929. [PMID: 35382579 PMCID: PMC8984368 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) is widely used in biomedical settings such as microfluidics for its optical transparency, castability, gas permeability and relative biocompatibility. While PDMS devices with certain modifications or treatments have been used for mammalian pre-implantation embryo culture, it is unclear why native PDMS leads to significant embryo death. In this study, we employ Nile Red as a model hydrophobic small molecule to demonstrate that significant hydrophobic sequestration occurs on native PDMS substrates even with a bovine serum albumin-containing KSOM pre-equilibration. Our results suggest that this small molecule sequestration has detrimental effects on mouse embryo development in PDMS static culture wells, with 0% blastocyst development rates from embryos cultured on native PDMS. We found that prior saturation of the PDMS culture well with water vapour only rescues about 10% of blastocyst development rates, indicating osmolality alone is not responsible for the high rates of embryo arrest. We also present a safe and simple Pluronic F127 pretreatment for PDMS substrates that successfully circumvented the harmful effects of native PDMS, achieving a blastocyst and implantation rate akin to that of our polystyrene controls. Our results call into question how researchers and clinicians can account for the alterations in medium composition and embryo secretions when using hydrophobic substrates, especially in the mammalian embryo culture setting where minimum effective concentrations of peptides and amino acids are commonplace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamar Hawkins
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Xiaosu Miao
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Wei Cui
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.,Animal Models Core Facility, Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS), University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Yubing Sun
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.,Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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10
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Park YH, Han SI, Oh B, Kim HS, Jeon MS, Kim S, Choi YE. Microalgal secondary metabolite productions as a component of biorefinery: A review. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 344:126206. [PMID: 34715342 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The interest in developing microalgae for industrial use has been increasing because of concerns about the depletion of petroleum resources and securing sustainable energy sources. Microalgae have high biomass productivity and short culture periods. However, despite these advantages, various barriers need to be overcome for industrial applications. Microalgal cultivation has a high unit price, thus rendering industrial application difficult. It is indispensably necessary to co-produce their primary and secondary metabolites to compensate for these shortcomings. In this regard, this article reviews the following aspects, (1) co-production of primary and secondary metabolites in microalgae, (2) induction methods for the promotion of the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and (3) perspectives on the co-production and co-extraction of primary and secondary metabolites. This paper presents various approaches for producing useful metabolites from microalgae and suggests strategies that can be utilized for the co-production of primary and secondary metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Hwan Park
- Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Il Han
- Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea; Institute of Green Manufacturing Technology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Byeolnim Oh
- Department of Electronic Engineering, Kwangwoon University, Seoul 01897, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Soo Kim
- Department of Electronic Engineering, Kwangwoon University, Seoul 01897, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Seo Jeon
- Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sok Kim
- Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea; OJEong Resilience Institute, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon-E Choi
- Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.
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11
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Zheng X, Duan X, Tu X, Jiang S, Song C. The Fusion of Microfluidics and Optics for On-Chip Detection and Characterization of Microalgae. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:1137. [PMID: 34683188 PMCID: PMC8540680 DOI: 10.3390/mi12101137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
It has been demonstrated that microalgae play an important role in the food, agriculture and medicine industries. Additionally, the identification and counting of the microalgae are also a critical step in evaluating water quality, and some lipid-rich microalgae species even have the potential to be an alternative to fossil fuels. However, current technologies for the detection and analysis of microalgae are costly, labor-intensive, time-consuming and throughput limited. In the past few years, microfluidic chips integrating optical components have emerged as powerful tools that can be used for the analysis of microalgae with high specificity, sensitivity and throughput. In this paper, we review recent optofluidic lab-on-chip systems and techniques used for microalgal detection and characterization. We introduce three optofluidic technologies that are based on fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy and imaging-based flow cytometry, each of which can achieve the determination of cell viability, lipid content, metabolic heterogeneity and counting. We analyze and summarize the merits and drawbacks of these micro-systems and conclude the direction of the future development of the optofluidic platforms applied in microalgal research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Chaolong Song
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Electronic Information, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; (X.Z.); (X.D.); (X.T.); (S.J.)
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12
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Wan Z, Azam MS, Wyatt S, Ramsay K, Korner JL, Elvira KS, Padmawar R, Varela D, Hore DK. Algae Adhesion onto Silicone is Sensitive to Environment-Induced Surface Restructuring. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:9597-9604. [PMID: 34328000 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c01493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Resistance to algae contamination is an important characteristic of insulators used in overhead power distribution in coastal environments. It is therefore important to understand the parameters governing algae adhesion onto polymer insulator materials such as silicone. Flow cell-based shear experiments were conducted in order to characterize the adhesion strength of algae onto polydimethylsiloxane surfaces, comparing fresh polymer substrates with those that have been soaked in water and saline solutions for 1 month. Both freshwater algae and seawater species could withstand considerably less drag force and were therefore more easily removed when the polymer was soaked in salt water. The polymer surface was found to be unaltered in terms of its roughness, contact angle, and lack of water uptake; no macroscopic surface characterization was therefore able to account for the differences in cell adhesion strength resulting from the soaking treatment. Surface-specific nonlinear vibrational spectroscopy, however, revealed subtle differences in the orientation of surface methyl groups that resulted from the water and saline exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijing Wan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria V8W 3V6, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Md Shafiul Azam
- Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria V8W 3V6, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Shea Wyatt
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria V8W 2Y2, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kaitlyn Ramsay
- Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria V8W 3V6, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jaime L Korner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria V8W 3V6, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Katherine S Elvira
- Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria V8W 3V6, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Rajkumar Padmawar
- ASAsoft (Canada) Inc., 179-2945 Jacklin Road Suite 221, Victoria V9B 6J9, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Diana Varela
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria V8W 2Y2, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria V8W 2Y2, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Dennis K Hore
- Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria V8W 3V6, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Computer Science, University of Victoria, Victoria V8W 3P6, British Columbia, Canada
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13
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Gao Y, Peng H, Li L, Wang F, Meng J, Huang H, Wang S, Li PCH, Sun Y. Screening of high-efficiency and low-toxicity antitumor active components in Macleaya cordata seeds based on the competitive effect of drugs on double targets by a new laminar flow chip. Analyst 2021; 146:4934-4944. [PMID: 34254080 DOI: 10.1039/d1an00754h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
It is urgent to obtain targeted drugs that selectively bind to pathological targets rather than physiological targets in the early stage of drug screening. G-Quadruplex has become one of the important targets in the development of anti-tumor drugs. However, drugs that target quadruplexes may also bind to dsDNA, which may lead to adverse reactions. In this study, a new three-phase laminar flow chip was constructed to enable the multi-components of a traditional Chinese medicine extract to dynamically and competitively bind with G-quadruplex DNA (on target) and double-stranded DNA (off target), so as to select high-efficiency and low-toxicity anti-tumor drugs. The results showed that there were five compounds in the extracts of Macleaya cordata seeds that exhibited obvious differences in binding to the two targets. Furthermore, the binding constants and modes of four identified alkaloids as they bound to two DNA targets were verified by fluorescence spectra and molecular docking methods. The toxicity to HepG2 and LO2 cells from the four alkaloids was also compared. The results showed that sanguinarine and chelerythrine could be used as candidate drugs with stronger binding to HT24 than DNA26. The chip can also be used for other types of double-target screening of other traditional Chinese medicine extracts or compound libraries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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14
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Tang J, Cao X, Qiu G, deMello A, Wang J. Optical-Switch-Enabled Microfluidics for Sensitive Multichannel Colorimetric Analysis. Anal Chem 2021; 93:6784-6791. [PMID: 33877822 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c00674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The implementation of colorimetric analysis within microfluidic environments engenders significant benefits with respect to reduced sample and reagent consumption, system miniaturization, and real-time measurement of flowing samples. That said, conventional approaches to colorimetric analysis within microfluidic channels are hampered by short optical pathlengths and single-channel configurations, which lead to poor detection sensitivities and low analytical throughputs. Although the use of multiplexed light source/photodetector modules allows for multichannel analysis, such configurations significantly increase both instrument complexity and cost. To address these issues, we present a four-channel colorimetric measurement scheme within an optical-switch-enabled microfluidic chip (OSEMC) fabricated by two-photon stereolithography. The integration of optical switches enables sequential signal readout from each detection channel, and thus, only a single light source and a photodetector are required for operation. Optical switches can be controlled in a bespoke manner by changing the medium in the switch channel between a "light-transmitting" fluid and a "light-blocking" fluid using pneumatic microvalves. Such optical switches are characterized by fast response times (approximately 200 ms), tunable switching frequencies (between 0.1 and 1.0 Hz studied), and excellent stability. Operational performance demonstrates both good sensitivity and reproducibility through the colorimetric analysis of nitrite and ammonium samples using four detection channels. Furthermore, the use of OSEMC for parallel and real-time analysis of flowing samples is investigated via characterization of the adsorption kinetics of tartrazine on activated charcoal and the catalytic reaction kinetics of horseradish peroxidase (HRP).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiukai Tang
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8093, Switzerland.,Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Xiaobao Cao
- Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Vladimir Prelog Weg 1, Zürich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Guangyu Qiu
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8093, Switzerland.,Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Andrew deMello
- Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Vladimir Prelog Weg 1, Zürich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Jing Wang
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8093, Switzerland.,Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
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15
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Verburg T, Schaap A, Zhang S, den Toonder J, Wang Y. Enhancement of microalgae growth using magnetic artificial cilia. Biotechnol Bioeng 2021; 118:2472-2481. [PMID: 33738795 PMCID: PMC8251745 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Microalgae have shown great potential as a source of biofuels, food, and other bioproducts. More recently, microfluidic devices have been employed in microalgae-related studies. However, at small fluid volumes, the options for controlling flow conditions are more limited and mixing becomes largely reliant on diffusion. In this study, we fabricated magnetic artificial cilia (MAC) and implemented them in millimeter scale culture wells and conducted growth experiments with Scenedesmus subspicatus while actuating the MAC in a rotating magnetic field to create flow and mixing. In addition, surface of MAC was made hydrophilic using plasma treatment and its effect on growth was compared with untreated, hydrophobic MAC. The experiments showed that the growth was enhanced by ten and two times with hydrophobic and hydrophilic MAC, respectively, compared with control groups which contain no MAC. This technique can be used to investigate mixing and flow in small sample volumes, and the enhancement in growth can be beneficial for the throughput of screening studies. Moreover, the methods used for creating and controlling MAC can be easily adopted in labs without microfabrication infrastructures, and they can be mastered by people with little prior experience in microfluidics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thijn Verburg
- Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | | | - Shuaizhong Zhang
- Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.,Institute of Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap den Toonder
- Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.,Institute of Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Ye Wang
- Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.,Institute of Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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16
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Optimization of PTFE Coating on PDMS Surfaces for Inhibition of Hydrophobic Molecule Absorption for Increased Optical Detection Sensitivity. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21051754. [PMID: 33806281 PMCID: PMC7961674 DOI: 10.3390/s21051754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a polymer widely used for fabrication and prototyping of microfluidic chips. The porous matrix structure of PDMS allows small hydrophobic molecules including some fluorescent dyes to be readily absorbed to PDMS and results in high fluorescent background signals, thereby significantly decreasing the optical detection sensitivity. This makes it challenging to accurately detect the fluorescent signals from samples using PDMS devices. Here, we have utilized polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to inhibit absorption of hydrophobic small molecules on PDMS. Nile red was used to analyze the effectiveness of the inhibition and the absorbed fluorescence intensities for 3% and 6% PTFE coating (7.7 ± 1.0 and 6.6 ± 0.2) was twofold lower compared to 1% and 2% PTFE coating results (17.2 ± 0.5 and 15.4 ± 0.5). When compared to the control (55.3 ± 1.6), it was sevenfold lower in background fluorescent intensity. Furthermore, we validated the optimized PTFE coating condition using a PDMS bioreactor capable of locally stimulating cells during culture to quantitatively analyze the lipid production using Chlamydomonas reinhardtii CC-125. Three percent PTFE coating was selected as the optimal concentration as there was no significant difference between 3% and 6% PTFE coating. Intracellular lipid contents of the cells were successfully stained with Nile Red inside the bioreactor and 3% PTFE coating successfully minimized the background fluorescence noise, allowing strong optical lipid signal to be detected within the PDMS bioreactor comparable to that of off-chip, less than 1% difference.
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17
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Bates H, Zavafer A, Szabó M, Ralph PJ. The Phenobottle, an open-source photobioreactor platform for environmental simulation. ALGAL RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2020.102105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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18
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Huang C, Wippold JA, Stratis-Cullum D, Han A. Eliminating air bubble in microfluidic systems utilizing integrated in-line sloped microstructures. Biomed Microdevices 2020; 22:76. [PMID: 33090275 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-020-00529-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In most microfluidic systems, formation and accumulation of air and other gas bubbles can be detrimental to their operation. Air bubbles in a microfluidic channel induce a pressure profile fluctuation and therefore disturb the stability of the system. Once an air bubble is generated, it is also extremely difficult to remove such bubbles from the microfluidic systems. In tissue and cell culture microfluidic systems, a single air bubble can completely shear off cells that are being cultured. Air bubbles can be especially problematic in microfluidic systems that have to operate for long periods of time, since completely eliminating the generation of air bubbles for prolonged periods of time, where a single air bubble can ruin an entire multi-day/multi-week experiment, is extremely challenging. Several in-line and off-chip bubble traps have been developed so far, but cannot completely eliminate air bubbles from the system or are relatively difficult to integrate into microfluidic systems. Recent advancements in two-photon polymerization (2PP)-based microfabrication method eliminates the restriction in Z-axis control in conventional two-dimensional microfabrication methods, and thus enables complex 3D structures to be fabricated at sub-micrometer resolution. In this work, by utilizing this 2PP technique, we developed a sloped microfluidic structure that is capable of both trapping and real-time removal of air bubbles from the system in a consistent and reliable manner. The novel structures and designs developed in this work present a unique opportunity to overcome many limitations of current methods, bring state-of-the-art solutions in air bubble removal, and enable a multifunctional microfluidic device to operate seamlessly free from air bubble disruption. The microfabricated system was tested in both droplet microfluidics and continuous-flow microfluidics applications, and demonstrated to be effective in preventing air bubble aggregation over time. This simple sloped microstructure can be easily integrated into broad ranges of microfluidic devices to minimize bubble introduction, which will contribute to creating a stable and bubble-free microfluidic platform amenable for long-term operation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Huang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Jose A Wippold
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | | | - Arum Han
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
- Faculty of Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, TX, USA.
- Faculty of Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, College Station, TX, USA.
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19
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Nedbal J, Gao L, Suhling K. Bottom-illuminated orbital shaker for microalgae cultivation. HARDWAREX 2020; 8:e00143. [PMID: 33442569 PMCID: PMC7786639 DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2020.e00143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
A bottom-illuminated orbital shaker designed for the cultivation of microalgae suspensions is described in this open-source hardware report. The instrument agitates and illuminates microalgae suspensions grown inside flasks. It was optimized for low production cost, simplicity, low power consumption, design flexibility, consistent, and controllable growth light intensity. The illuminated orbital shaker is especially well suited for low-resource research laboratories and education. It is an alternative to commercial instruments for microalgae cultivation. It improves on typical do-it-yourself microalgae growth systems by offering consistent and well characterized illumination light intensity. The illuminated growth area is 20 cm × 15 cm, which is suitable for three T75 tissue culture flasks or six 100 ml Erlenmeyer flasks. The photosynthetic photon flux density, is variable in eight steps ( 26 - 800 μ mol · m - 2 · s - 1 ) and programmable in a 24-h light/dark cycle. The agitation speed is variable ( 0 - 210 RPM ). The overall material cost is around £300, including an entry-level orbital shaker. The build takes two days, requiring electronics and mechanical assembly capabilities. The instrument build is documented in a set of open-source protocols, design files, and source code. The design can be readily modified, scaled, and adapted for other orbital shakers and specific experimental requirements. The instrument function was validated by growing fresh-water microalgae Desmodesmus quadricauda and Chlorella vulgaris. The cultivation protocols, microalgae growth curves, and doubling times are included in this report.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Nedbal
- Department of Physics, King’s College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Lu Gao
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences/Plant Sciences (IBG-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, D-52428 Jülich, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Heinrich Heine University, Universität Straße 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Klaus Suhling
- Department of Physics, King’s College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, UK
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20
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Zhang T, Meng J, Li S, Yu C, Li J, Wei C, Dai S. A Microfluidic Concentration Gradient Maker with Tunable Concentration Profiles by Changing Feed Flow Rate Ratios. MICROMACHINES 2020; 11:E284. [PMID: 32164167 PMCID: PMC7142998 DOI: 10.3390/mi11030284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic chips-in which chemical or biological fluid samples are mixed into linear or nonlinear concentration distribution profiles-have generated enormous enthusiasm of their ability to develop patterns for drug release and their potential toxicology applications. These microfluidic devices have untapped potential for varying concentration patterns by the use of one single device or by easy-to-operate procedures. To address this challenge, we developed a soft-lithography-fabricated microfluidic platform that enabled one single device to be used as a concentration maker, which could generate linear, bell-type, or even S-type concentration profiles by tuning the feed flow rate ratios of each independent inlet. Here, we present an FFRR (feed flow rate ratio) adjustment approach to generate tens of types of concentration gradient profiles with one single device. To demonstrate the advantages of this approach, we used a Christmas-tree-like microfluidic chip as the demo. Its performance was analyzed using numerical simulation models and experimental investigations, and it showed an excellent time response (~10 s). With on-demand flow rate ratios, the FFRR microfluidic device could be used for many lab-on-a-chip applications where flexible concentration profiles are required for analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Zhang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Robotic Sensing and Human-robot interactions, School of Mechanical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300132, China; (T.Z.); (J.M.); (C.Y.); (C.W.)
| | - Jiyu Meng
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Robotic Sensing and Human-robot interactions, School of Mechanical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300132, China; (T.Z.); (J.M.); (C.Y.); (C.W.)
| | - Shanshan Li
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Robotic Sensing and Human-robot interactions, School of Mechanical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300132, China; (T.Z.); (J.M.); (C.Y.); (C.W.)
- National Key Laboratory of Reliability and Electrical Equipment, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
| | - Chengzhuang Yu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Robotic Sensing and Human-robot interactions, School of Mechanical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300132, China; (T.Z.); (J.M.); (C.Y.); (C.W.)
| | - Junwei Li
- Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Langfang 065000, China;
- Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
| | - Chunyang Wei
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Robotic Sensing and Human-robot interactions, School of Mechanical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300132, China; (T.Z.); (J.M.); (C.Y.); (C.W.)
| | - Shijie Dai
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Robotic Sensing and Human-robot interactions, School of Mechanical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300132, China; (T.Z.); (J.M.); (C.Y.); (C.W.)
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21
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Yao J, Kim HS, Kim JY, Choi YE, Park J. Mechanical stress induced astaxanthin accumulation of H. pluvialis on a chip. LAB ON A CHIP 2020; 20:647-654. [PMID: 31930234 DOI: 10.1039/c9lc01030k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae have been envisioned as a source of food, feed, health nutraceuticals, and cosmetics. Among various microalgae, Haematococcus pluvialis (H. pluvialis) is known to be the richest feedstock of natural astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is a highly effective antioxidation material and is being widely used in aquaculture, nutraceuticals, pharmacology, and feed industries. Here, we present a microfluidic chip consisting of a micropillar array and six sets of culture chambers, which enables sorting of motile flagellated vegetative stage H. pluvialis (15-20 μm) from cyst stage H. pluvialis as well as culture of the selected cells under a mechanically stressed microenvironment. The micropillar array successfully sorted only the motile early vegetative stage cells (avg. size = 19.8 ± 1.6 μm), where these sorted cells were uniformly loaded inside each culture chamber (229 ± 39 cells per chamber). The mechanical stress level applied to the cells was controlled by designing the culture chambers with different heights (5-70 μm). Raman analysis results revealed that the mechanical stress indeed induced the accumulation of astaxanthin in H. pluvialis. Also, the most effective chamber height enhancing the astaxanthin accumulation (i.e., 15 μm) was successfully screened using the developed chip. Approximately 9 times more astaxanthin accumulation was detected after 7 days of culture compared to the no mechanical stress condition. The results clearly demonstrate the capability of the developed chip to investigate bioactive metabolite accumulation of microalgae induced by mechanical stress, where the amount was quantitatively analyzed in a label-free manner. We believe that the developed chip has great potential for studying the effects of mechanical stress on not only H. pluvialis but also various microalgal species in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyi Yao
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Hyun Soo Kim
- Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials, Daegu Research Center for Medical Devices and Rehabilitation, Daegu 42994, South Korea
| | - Jee Young Kim
- Division of Environmental Science & Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Korea.
| | - Yoon-E Choi
- Division of Environmental Science & Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Korea.
| | - Jaewon Park
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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22
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Han SI, Kim HS, Han KH, Han A. Digital quantification and selection of high-lipid-producing microalgae through a lateral dielectrophoresis-based microfluidic platform. LAB ON A CHIP 2019; 19:4128-4138. [PMID: 31755503 DOI: 10.1039/c9lc00850k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae are promising alternatives to petroleum as renewable biofuel sources, however not sufficiently economically competitive yet. Here, a label-free lateral dielectrophoresis-based microfluidic sorting platform that can digitally quantify and separate microalgae into six outlets based on the degree of their intracellular lipid content is presented. In this microfluidic system, the degree of cellular lateral displacement is inversely proportional to the intracellular lipid level, which was successfully demonstrated using Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells. Using this functionality, a quick digital quantification of sub-populations that contain different intracellular lipid level in a given population was achieved. In addition, the degree of lateral displacement of microalgae could be readily controlled by simply changing the applied DEP voltage, where the level of gating in the intracellular lipid-based sorting decision could be easily adjusted. This allowed for selecting only a very small percentage of a given population that showed the highest degree of intracellular lipid content. In addition, this approach was utilized through an iterative selection process on natural and chemically mutated microalgal populations, successfully resulting in enrichment of high-lipid-accumulating microalgae. In summary, the developed platform can be exploited to quickly quantify microalgae lipid distribution in a given population in real-time and label-free, as well as to enrich a cell population with high-lipid-producing cells, or to select high-lipid-accumulating microalgal variants from a microalgal library.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song-I Han
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
| | - Hyun Soo Kim
- Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials, Daegu Research Center for Medical Devices and Rehabilitation, Daegu, 42994, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki-Ho Han
- Department of Nanoscience and Engineering, Center for Nano Manufacturing, Inje University, Gimhae, 50834, Republic of Korea
| | - Arum Han
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA. and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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23
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Chacko AR, Amster DE, Johnson TE, Newman SR, Gladchuk AV, Sohn CJ, Prunkard DE, Yakelis NA, Freeman JO. High-throughput screen for sorting cells capable of producing the biofuel feedstock botryococcene. Org Biomol Chem 2019; 17:3195-3201. [PMID: 30839011 DOI: 10.1039/c8ob02589d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Botryococcene is a branched triterpene produced by the algae Botryococcus braunii. Hydrocracking botryococcene yields a variety of combustible fuels such as gasoline and jet fuel. Engineering host systems and proteins involved in the biosynthesis of botryococcene to optimize production is of interest given these applications. The current study investigates the use of a diaryltetrazole based screen that undergoes a photoclick reaction with terminal alkenes, such as the branched terminal alkene present on botryococcene, to yield a fluorescent product. Host E. coli systems were established to produce botryococcene, squalene, and no triterpene to serve as a control. Cells were incubated with tetrazole and briefly irradiated with UV light to initiate the photoclick reaction. It was found that the botryococcene producing cells yielded observable fluorescence while the squalene and control cells had negligible fluorescence turn-on activity. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) was subsequently used to identify and sort botryococcene producing E. coli from a mixture of control and squalene producing cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allen R Chacko
- Department of Chemistry, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA 98447, USA.
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24
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Wang JZ, Zhu LL, Zhang F, Herman RA, Li WJ, Zhou XJ, Wu FA, Wang J. Microfluidic tools for lipid production and modification: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:35482-35496. [PMID: 31327140 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-05833-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidics has great potential as an efficient tool for a large range of applications in industry. The ability of such devices to deal with an extremely small amount of fluid has additional benefits, including superlatively fast and efficient mass and heat transfer. These characteristics of microfluidics have attracted an enormous amount of interest in their use as a novel tool for lipid production and modification. In addition, lipid resources have a close relationship with energy resources, and lipids are an alternative renewable energy source. Here, recent advances in the application of microfluidics for lipid production and modification, especially in the discovery, culturing, harvesting, separating, and monitoring of lipid-producing microorganisms, will be reviewed. Other applications of microfluidics, such as the modification of lipids from microorganisms, will also be discussed. The novel microfluidic tools in this review will be useful in applications to improve lipid production and modification in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Zheng Wang
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, 212018, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin-Lin Zhu
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, 212018, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Zhang
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, 212018, People's Republic of China
| | - Richard Ansah Herman
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, 212018, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Jing Li
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, 212018, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue-Jiao Zhou
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, 212018, People's Republic of China
| | - Fu-An Wu
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, 212018, People's Republic of China
- Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, 212018, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhenjiang, 212018, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, Zhenjiang, 212018, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Wang
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, 212018, People's Republic of China.
- Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, 212018, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhenjiang, 212018, People's Republic of China.
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, Zhenjiang, 212018, People's Republic of China.
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25
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Herrmann N, Neubauer P, Birkholz M. Spiral microfluidic devices for cell separation and sorting in bioprocesses. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2019; 13:061501. [PMID: 31700559 PMCID: PMC6831504 DOI: 10.1063/1.5125264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Inertial microfluidic systems have been arousing interest in medical applications due to their simple and cost-efficient use. However, comparably small sample volumes in the microliter and milliliter ranges have so far prevented efficient applications in continuous bioprocesses. Nevertheless, recent studies suggest that these systems are well suited for cell separation in bioprocesses because of their facile adaptability to various reactor sizes and cell types. This review will discuss potential applications of inertial microfluidic cell separation systems in downstream bioprocesses and depict recent advances in inertial microfluidics for bioprocess intensification. This review thereby focusses on spiral microchannels that separate particles at a moderate Reynolds number in a laminar flow (Re < 2300) according to their size by applying lateral hydrodynamic forces. Spiral microchannels have already been shown to be capable of replacing microfilters, extracting dead cells and debris in perfusion processes, and removing contaminant microalgae species. Recent advances in parallelization made it possible to process media on a liter-scale, which might pave the way toward industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. Herrmann
- Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Ackerstr. 76, 13355 Berlin, Germany
| | - P. Neubauer
- Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Ackerstr. 76, 13355 Berlin, Germany
| | - M. Birkholz
- IHP—Leibniz-Institut für innovative Mikroelektronik, Im Technologiepark 25, 15236 Frankfurt (Oder), Germany
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26
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Castaldello C, Sforza E, Cimetta E, Morosinotto T, Bezzo F. Microfluidic Platform for Microalgae Cultivation under Non-limiting CO 2 Conditions. Ind Eng Chem Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.9b02888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Tomas Morosinotto
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, via Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy
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27
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Saad MG, Dosoky NS, Khan MS, Zoromba MS, Mekki L, El-Bana M, Nobles D, Shafik HM. High-Throughput Screening of Chlorella Vulgaris Growth Kinetics inside a Droplet-Based Microfluidic Device under Irradiance and Nitrate Stress Conditions. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9070276. [PMID: 31336821 PMCID: PMC6681396 DOI: 10.3390/biom9070276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 07/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Biodiesel is an eco-friendly renewable fuel that can be derived from microalgae. Maximization of biomass and lipid productivities are considered the main challenges for algal biodiesel production. Since conventional batch cultures are time-, space-, and reagent-consuming with many restrictions to apply many replicates, microfluidic technology has recently emerged as an alternative low-cost and efficient technology with high throughput repeatability and reproducibility. Different applications of microfluidic devices in algal biotechnology have been reported, including cell identification, sorting, trapping, and metabolic screening. In this work, Chlorella vulgaris was investigated by encapsulating in a simple droplet-based micro-array device at different light intensities of 20, 80, and 200 µmol/m2/s combined with different nitrate concentrations of 17.6, 8.8, and 4.4 mM. The growth results for C. vulgaris within microfluidic device were compared to the conventional batch culture method. In addition, the effect of combined stress of deficiencies in irradiance and nitrogen availability were studied to illustrate their impact on the metabolic profiling of microalgae. The results showed that the most optimum favorable culturing conditions for Chlorella vulgaris growth within the microfluidic channels were 17.6 mM and 80 µmol/m2/s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Gamal Saad
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Port Said University, Port Said 42521, Egypt.
| | - Noura Sayed Dosoky
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, USA.
| | - Muhammad Shuja Khan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, USA
| | - Mohamed Shafick Zoromba
- Chemical and Materials Engineering Department, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh 21911, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Port-Said University, Port Said 42521, Egypt
| | - Laila Mekki
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Magdy El-Bana
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Port Said University, Port Said 42521, Egypt
| | - David Nobles
- UTEX Culture Collection of Algae, College of Natural Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Hesham Mohamed Shafik
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Port Said University, Port Said 42521, Egypt
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Morschett H, Loomba V, Huber G, Wiechert W, von Lieres E, Oldiges M. Laboratory-scale photobiotechnology-current trends and future perspectives. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2019; 365:4604817. [PMID: 29126108 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnx238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Phototrophic bioprocesses are a promising puzzle piece in future bioeconomy concepts but yet mostly fail for economic reasons. Besides other aspects, this is mainly attributed to the omnipresent issue of optimal light supply impeding scale-up and -down of phototrophic processes according to classic established concepts. This MiniReview examines two current trends in photobiotechnology, namely microscale cultivation and modeling and simulation. Microphotobioreactors are a valuable and promising trend with microfluidic chips and microtiter plates as predominant design concepts. Providing idealized conditions, chip systems are preferably to be used for acquiring physiological data of microalgae while microtiter plate systems are more appropriate for process parameter and medium screenings. However, these systems are far from series technology and significant improvements especially regarding flexible light supply remain crucial. Whereas microscale is less addressed by modeling and simulation so far, benchtop photobioreactor design and operation have successfully been studied using such tools. This particularly includes quantitative model-assisted understanding of mixing, mass transfer, light dispersion and particle tracing as well as their relevance for microalgal performance. The ultimate goal will be to combine physiological data from microphotobioreactors with hybrid models to integrate metabolism and reactor simulation in order to facilitate knowledge-based scale transfer of phototrophic bioprocesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger Morschett
- IBG-1: Biotechnology, Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Varun Loomba
- IBG-1: Biotechnology, Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428 Jülich, Germany.,IBG-2: Plant Sciences, Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Gregor Huber
- IBG-2: Plant Sciences, Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wiechert
- IBG-1: Biotechnology, Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Eric von Lieres
- IBG-1: Biotechnology, Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Marco Oldiges
- IBG-1: Biotechnology, Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428 Jülich, Germany.,Institute of Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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Perin G, Bellan A, Bernardi A, Bezzo F, Morosinotto T. The potential of quantitative models to improve microalgae photosynthetic efficiency. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2019; 166:380-391. [PMID: 30578540 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.12915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The massive increase in carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere driven by human activities is causing huge negative consequences and new sustainable sources of energy, food and materials are highly needed. Algae are unicellular photosynthetic microorganisms that can provide a highly strategic contribution to this challenge as alternative source of biomass to complement crops cultivation. Algae industrial cultures are commonly limited by light availability, and biomass accumulation is strongly dependent on their photon-to-biomass conversion efficiency. Investigation of algae photosynthetic metabolism is thus strategic for the generation of more efficient strains with higher productivity. Algae are cultivated at industrial scale in conditions highly different from the natural niches they adapted to and strains development efforts must fully consider the seminal influence on productivity of regulatory mechanism of photosynthesis as well as of cultivation parameters like cells concentration, light distribution in the culture, mixing, nutrients and carbon dioxide availability. In this review we will focus in particular on how mathematical models can account for the complex influence of all environmental parameters and can be exploited for development of improved algae strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Perin
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bellan
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Bernardi
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9 35131, Padova, Italy
- Centre for Process Systems Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, London, UK
| | - Fabrizio Bezzo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Tomas Morosinotto
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B 35131, Padova, Italy
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Westerwalbesloh C, Brehl C, Weber S, Probst C, Widzgowski J, Grünberger A, Pfaff C, Nedbal L, Kohlheyer D. A microfluidic photobioreactor for simultaneous observation and cultivation of single microalgal cells or cell aggregates. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0216093. [PMID: 31034529 PMCID: PMC6488086 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microalgae are an ubiquitous and powerful driver of geochemical cycles which have formed Earth’s biosphere since early in the evolution. Lately, microalgal research has been strongly stimulated by economic potential expected in biofuels, wastewater treatment, and high-value products. Similar to bacteria and other microorganisms, most work so far has been performed on the level of suspensions which typically contain millions of algal cells per millilitre. The thus obtained macroscopic parameters average cells, which may be in various phases of their cell cycle or even, in the case of microbial consortia, cells of different species. This averaging may obscure essential features which may be needed for the correct understanding and interpretation of investigated processes. In contrast to these conventional macroscopic cultivation and measuring tools, microfluidic single-cell cultivation systems represent an excellent alternative to study individual cells or a small number of mutually interacting cells in a well-defined environment. A novel microfluidic photobioreactor was developed and successfully tested by the photoautotrophic cultivation of Chlorella sorokiniana. The reported microbioreactor facilitates automated long-term cultivation of algae with controlled temperature and with an illumination adjustable over a wide range of photon flux densities. Chemical composition of the medium in the microbioreactor can be stabilised or modulated rapidly to study the response of individual cells. Furthermore, the algae are cultivated in one focal plane and separate chambers, enabling single-cell level investigation of over 100 microcolonies in parallel. The developed platform can be used for systematic growth studies, medium screening, species interaction studies, and the thorough investigation of light-dependent growth kinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Westerwalbesloh
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Carl Brehl
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Sophie Weber
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-2: Plant Sciences, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Christopher Probst
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Janka Widzgowski
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-2: Plant Sciences, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Alexander Grünberger
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
- Multiscale Bioengineering, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Christian Pfaff
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-2: Plant Sciences, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Ladislav Nedbal
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-2: Plant Sciences, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Dietrich Kohlheyer
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
- RWTH Aachen University, Aachener Verfahrenstechnik (AVT.MSB), Aachen, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Park J, Roh H, Park JK. Finger-Actuated Microfluidic Concentration Gradient Generator Compatible with a Microplate. MICROMACHINES 2019; 10:mi10030174. [PMID: 30832320 PMCID: PMC6471275 DOI: 10.3390/mi10030174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The generation of concentration gradients is an essential part of a wide range of laboratory settings. However, the task usually requires tedious and repetitive steps and it is difficult to generate concentration gradients at once. Here, we present a microfluidic device that easily generates a concentration gradient by means of push-button actuated pumping units. The device is designed to generate six concentrations with a linear gradient between two different sample solutions. The microfluidic concentration gradient generator we report here does not require external pumps because changes in the pressure of the fluidic channel induced by finger actuation generate a constant volume of fluid, and the design of the generator is compatible with the commonly used 96-well microplate. Generation of a concentration gradient by the finger-actuated microfluidic device was consistent with that of the manual pipetting method. In addition, the amount of fluid dispensed from each outlet was constant when the button was pressed, and the volume of fluid increased linearly with respect to the number of pushing times. Coefficient of variation (CV) was between 0.796% and 13.539%, and the error was between 0.111% and 19.147%. The design of the microfluidic network, as well as the amount of fluid dispensed from each outlet at a single finger actuation, can be adjusted to the user’s demand. To prove the applicability of the concentration gradient generator, an enzyme assay was performed using alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and para-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP). We generated a linear concentration gradient of the pNPP substrate, and the enzyme kinetics of ALP was studied by examining the initial reaction rate between ALP and pNPP. Then, a Hanes–Woolf plot of the various concentration of ALP was drawn and the Vmax and Km value were calculated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juhwan Park
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
| | - Hyewon Roh
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
| | - Je-Kyun Park
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
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Bodénès P, Wang HY, Lee TH, Chen HY, Wang CY. Microfluidic techniques for enhancing biofuel and biorefinery industry based on microalgae. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2019; 12:33. [PMID: 30815031 PMCID: PMC6376642 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-019-1369-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/03/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
This review presents a critical assessment of emerging microfluidic technologies for the application on biological productions of biofuels and other chemicals from microalgae. Comparisons of cell culture designs for the screening of microalgae strains and growth conditions are provided with three categories: mechanical traps, droplets, or microchambers. Emerging technologies for the in situ characterization of microalgae features and metabolites are also presented and evaluated. Biomass and secondary metabolite productivities obtained at microscale are compared with the values obtained at bulk scale to assess the feasibility of optimizing large-scale operations using microfluidic platforms. The recent studies in microsystems for microalgae pretreatment, fractionation and extraction of metabolites are also reviewed. Finally, comments toward future developments (high-pressure/-temperature process; solvent-resistant devices; omics analysis, including genome/epigenome, proteome, and metabolome; biofilm reactors) of microfluidic techniques for microalgae applications are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Bodénès
- Department of Power Mechanical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Hsiang-Yu Wang
- Department of Engineering and System Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Institute of Nuclear Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Hua Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Yu Chen
- Department of Engineering and System Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yen Wang
- Department of Engineering and System Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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33
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Girault M, Beneyton T, Del Amo Y, Baret JC. Microfluidic technology for plankton research. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2018; 55:134-150. [PMID: 30326407 PMCID: PMC6378650 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2018.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Plankton produces numerous chemical compounds used in cosmetics and functional foods. They also play a key role in the carbon budget on the Earth. In a context of global change, it becomes important to understand the physiological response of these microorganisms to changing environmental conditions. Their adaptations and the response to specific environmental conditions are often restricted to a few active cells or individuals in large populations. Using analytical capabilities at the subnanoliter scale, microfluidic technology has also demonstrated a high potential in biological assays. Here, we review recent advances in microfluidic technologies to overcome the current challenges in high content analysis both at population and the single cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Girault
- Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5031, Université de Bordeaux, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 33600 Pessac, France
| | - Thomas Beneyton
- Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5031, Université de Bordeaux, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 33600 Pessac, France
| | - Yolanda Del Amo
- Université de Bordeaux - OASU, UMR CNRS 5805 EPOC (Environnements et Paléoenvironnements Océaniques et Continentaux), Station Marine d'Arcachon, 33120 Arcachon, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Baret
- Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5031, Université de Bordeaux, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 33600 Pessac, France.
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Morelli L, Serioli L, Centorbi FA, Jendresen CB, Matteucci M, Ilchenko O, Demarchi D, Nielsen AT, Zór K, Boisen A. Injection molded lab-on-a-disc platform for screening of genetically modified E. coli using liquid-liquid extraction and surface enhanced Raman scattering. LAB ON A CHIP 2018; 18:869-877. [PMID: 29450440 DOI: 10.1039/c7lc01217a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
We present the development of an automated centrifugal microfluidic platform with integrated sample pre-treatment (filtration and liquid-liquid extraction) and detection (SERS-based sensing). The platform consists of eight calibration and four assay modules, fabricated with polypropylene using injection molding and bonded with ultrasonic welding. The platform was used for detection of a secondary bacterial metabolite (p-coumaric acid) from bacterial supernatant. The obtained extraction efficiency was comparable to values obtained in batch experiments and the SERS-based sensing showed a good correlation with HPLC analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Morelli
- Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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Girault M, Beneyton T, Pekin D, Buisson L, Bichon S, Charbonnier C, del Amo Y, Baret JC. High-Content Screening of Plankton Alkaline Phosphatase Activity in Microfluidics. Anal Chem 2018; 90:4174-4181. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b00234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Girault
- Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5031, Université de Bordeaux, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 33600 Pessac, France
| | - Thomas Beneyton
- Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5031, Université de Bordeaux, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 33600 Pessac, France
| | - Deniz Pekin
- Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5031, Université de Bordeaux, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 33600 Pessac, France
| | - Lionel Buisson
- Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5031, Université de Bordeaux, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 33600 Pessac, France
| | - Sabrina Bichon
- Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5031, Université de Bordeaux, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 33600 Pessac, France
| | - Céline Charbonnier
- Laboratoire d’Environnements et Paléoenvironnements Océaniques et Continentaux, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5805, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 33615 Pessac, France
| | - Yolanda del Amo
- Laboratoire d’Environnements et Paléoenvironnements Océaniques et Continentaux, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5805, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 33615 Pessac, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Baret
- Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5031, Université de Bordeaux, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 33600 Pessac, France
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Zhang P, Xiao Y, Li Z, Guo J, Lu L. Microalgae in Microwell Arrays Exhibit Differences with Those in Flasks: Evidence from Growth Rate, Cellular Carotenoid, and Oxygen Production. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 8:2251. [PMID: 29379513 PMCID: PMC5770892 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.02251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae are cultivated in macro-scale reactors traditionally and the relevant knowledge is based on bulk analysis. Whether the knowledge and laws are true for cells under micro-cultivation is still unknown. To better understand microalgal physiology, micro-cultivation of microalgae, and unicellular tracking and analysis of its response in vivo is necessary. In the study, cellular responses of Chlorella vulgaris to micro-cultivation is studied, with cells in flasks as a control. Five different microwell depths ranging from 10 to 200 μm with a fixed diameter of 100 μm, and four diameter levels from 30 to 200 μm with a fixed depth 60 μm were investigated. Unicellular dynamics showed that cell number differences among various types of microwells with different initial cell numbers decreased as cultivation processed. Besides, the specific growth rate of C. vulgaris on microwell arrays was much higher than that in flasks and so cells on microwell arrsys can be much sensitive to pollutants. Thus, the interesting characteristics may be used in cell sensor applications to enhance sensitivity. The specific growth rate of C. vulgaris on microwell arrays decreased gradually as the microwell diameter increased from 30 to 200 μm while presented a unimodal trend as depth decreased from 200 to 10 μm. Furthermore, we used Raman Spectroscopy and Non-invasive Micro-test Technique to analyze cellular responses in microwells for the first time to track the changes in vivo. Results indicated that unicellular carotenoid content increased as microwells became larger and shallower. The flow rate of oxygen rose gradually as the depth increased from 10 to 100 μm, but then decreased rapidly as the depth deepened to 200 μm. In fact, it is a combined result of cell physiology and density. In summary, cells in microwells with the diameter/depth ratio ~1 owned the highest specific growth rates and oxygen flow rates. Simulations also suggested that better mass transfer occurred in microwells with higher diameter-to-depth ratios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zhang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Urban Construction and Environmental Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- CAS Key Lab of Reservoir Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Xiao
- CAS Key Lab of Reservoir Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhe Li
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Urban Construction and Environmental Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- CAS Key Lab of Reservoir Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, China
| | - Jinsong Guo
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Urban Construction and Environmental Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lunhui Lu
- CAS Key Lab of Reservoir Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, China
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Xu Z, Wang Y, Chen Y, Spalding MH, Dong L. Microfluidic chip for automated screening of carbon dioxide conditions for microalgal cell growth. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2017; 11:064104. [PMID: 29204245 PMCID: PMC5699919 DOI: 10.1063/1.5012508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
This paper reports on a microfluidic device capable of screening carbon dioxide (CO2) conditions for microalgal cell growth. The device mainly consists of a microfluidic cell culture (MCC) unit, a gas concentration gradient generator (CGG), and an in-line cell growth optical measurement unit. The MCC unit is structured with multiple aqueous-filled cell culture channels at the top layer, multiple CO2 flow channels at the bottom layer, and a commercial hydrophobic gas semipermeable membrane sandwiched between the two channel layers. The CGG unit provides different CO2 concentrations to support photosynthesis of microalgae in the culture channels. The integration of the commercial gas semipermeable membrane into the cell culture device allows rapid mass transport and uniform distribution of CO2 inside the culture medium without using conventional agitation-assisted convection methods, because the diffusion of CO2 from the gas flow channels to the culture channels is fast over a small length scale. In addition, automated in-line monitoring of microalgal cell growth is realized via the optical measurement unit that is able to detect changes in the light intensity transmitted through the cell culture in the culture channels. The microfluidic device also allows a simple grayscale analysis method to quantify the cell growth. The utility of the system is validated by growing Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells under different low or very-low CO2 levels below the nominal ambient CO2 concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Xu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
| | - Yingjun Wang
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
| | - Yuncong Chen
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
| | - Martin H Spalding
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
| | - Liang Dong
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
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Han SI, Soo Kim H, Han A. In-droplet cell concentration using dielectrophoresis. Biosens Bioelectron 2017; 97:41-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2017.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2017] [Revised: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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40
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Kim HS, Hsu S, Han S, Thapa HR, Guzman AR, Browne DR, Tatli M, Devarenne TP, Stern DB, Han A. High-throughput droplet microfluidics screening platform for selecting fast-growing and high lipid-producing microalgae from a mutant library. PLANT DIRECT 2017; 1:e00011. [PMID: 31245660 PMCID: PMC6508572 DOI: 10.1002/pld3.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Revised: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Biofuels derived from microalgal lipids have demonstrated a promising potential as future renewable bioenergy. However, the production costs for microalgae-based biofuels are not economically competitive, and one strategy to overcome this limitation is to develop better-performing microalgal strains that have faster growth and higher lipid content through genetic screening and metabolic engineering. In this work, we present a high-throughput droplet microfluidics-based screening platform capable of analyzing growth and lipid content in populations derived from single cells of a randomly mutated microalgal library to identify and sort variants that exhibit the desired traits such as higher growth rate and increased lipid content. By encapsulating single cells into water-in-oil emulsion droplets, each variant was separately cultured inside an individual droplet that functioned as an independent bioreactor. In conjunction with an on-chip fluorescent lipid staining process within droplets, microalgal growth and lipid content were characterized by measuring chlorophyll and BODIPY fluorescence intensities through an integrated optical detection system in a flow-through manner. Droplets containing cells with higher growth and lipid content were selectively retrieved and further analyzed off-chip. The growth and lipid content screening capabilities of the developed platform were successfully demonstrated by first carrying out proof-of-concept screening using known Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutants. The platform was then utilized to screen an ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-mutated C. reinhardtii population, where eight potential mutants showing faster growth and higher lipid content were selected from 200,000 examined samples, demonstrating the capability of the platform as a high-throughput screening tool for microalgal biofuel development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Soo Kim
- Department of Electrical and Computer EngineeringTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTXUSA
- Korea Institute of Machinery and MaterialsDaegu Research Center for Medical Devices and RehabilitationDaeguSouth Korea
| | | | - Song‐I Han
- Department of Electrical and Computer EngineeringTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTXUSA
| | - Hem R. Thapa
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTXUSA
| | - Adrian R. Guzman
- Department of Electrical and Computer EngineeringTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTXUSA
| | - Daniel R. Browne
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTXUSA
| | - Mehmet Tatli
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTXUSA
| | - Timothy P. Devarenne
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTXUSA
| | | | - Arum Han
- Department of Electrical and Computer EngineeringTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTXUSA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTXUSA
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Kim HS, Waqued SC, Nodurft DT, Devarenne TP, Yakovlev VV, Han A. Raman spectroscopy compatible PDMS droplet microfluidic culture and analysis platform towards on-chip lipidomics. Analyst 2017; 142:1054-1060. [PMID: 28294227 DOI: 10.1039/c6an02221a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Lipids produced by microalgae are viewed as a potential renewable alternative to fossil fuels, however, significant improvements in productivity are required for microalgal biofuels to become economically feasible. Here we present a method that allows for the use of Raman spectroscopy with poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) droplet microfluidic devices, which not only overcomes the high Raman background of PDMS, but also achieves pairing of the high-throughput single-cell resolution advantages of droplet microfluidics with the direct, chemically specific, label-free, and non-destructive nature of Raman spectroscopy. The platform was successfully utilized for in situ characterization of microalgal lipid production over time within droplets, paving the way towards high-throughput microalgal lipidomics assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Soo Kim
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
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Morschett H, Freier L, Rohde J, Wiechert W, von Lieres E, Oldiges M. A framework for accelerated phototrophic bioprocess development: integration of parallelized microscale cultivation, laboratory automation and Kriging-assisted experimental design. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2017; 10:26. [PMID: 28163783 PMCID: PMC5282810 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-017-0711-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Even though microalgae-derived biodiesel has regained interest within the last decade, industrial production is still challenging for economic reasons. Besides reactor design, as well as value chain and strain engineering, laborious and slow early-stage parameter optimization represents a major drawback. RESULTS The present study introduces a framework for the accelerated development of phototrophic bioprocesses. A state-of-the-art micro-photobioreactor supported by a liquid-handling robot for automated medium preparation and product quantification was used. To take full advantage of the technology's experimental capacity, Kriging-assisted experimental design was integrated to enable highly efficient execution of screening applications. The resulting platform was used for medium optimization of a lipid production process using Chlorella vulgaris toward maximum volumetric productivity. Within only four experimental rounds, lipid production was increased approximately threefold to 212 ± 11 mg L-1 d-1. Besides nitrogen availability as a key parameter, magnesium, calcium and various trace elements were shown to be of crucial importance. Here, synergistic multi-parameter interactions as revealed by the experimental design introduced significant further optimization potential. CONCLUSIONS The integration of parallelized microscale cultivation, laboratory automation and Kriging-assisted experimental design proved to be a fruitful tool for the accelerated development of phototrophic bioprocesses. By means of the proposed technology, the targeted optimization task was conducted in a very timely and material-efficient manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger Morschett
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Lars Freier
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Jannis Rohde
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wiechert
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Eric von Lieres
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Marco Oldiges
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428 Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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43
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Morschett H, Schiprowski D, Rohde J, Wiechert W, Oldiges M. Comparative evaluation of phototrophic microtiter plate cultivation against laboratory-scale photobioreactors. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2017; 40:663-673. [DOI: 10.1007/s00449-016-1731-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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44
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Kwak HS, Kim JYH, Na SC, Jeon NL, Sim SJ. Multiplex microfluidic system integrating sequential operations of microalgal lipid production. Analyst 2017; 141:1218-25. [PMID: 26783562 DOI: 10.1039/c5an02409a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The unit cost for the production of algal biofuel needs to be reduced in order to be a substitute for fossil fuel. To achieve this goal, the development of a novel system is needed for a rapid screening of numerous microalgal species to isolate superior strains with the highest lipid productivity. Here, we developed a PDMS-based multiplex microfluidic system with eight chambers and micropillar arrays to expedite multiple steps for lipid sample preparation from different microalgal strains. We could rapidly and efficiently perform sequential operations from cell culture to lipid extraction of eight different microalgal strains simultaneously on a single device without harvesting and purification steps, which are labor- and energy-intensive, by the simple injection of medium and solvent into the central inlet due to the integrated micropillar arrays connecting the chambers and central inlet. The lipid extraction efficiency using this system was comparable (94.5-102.6%) to the conventional Bligh-Dyer method. We investigated the cell growth and lipid productivity of different strains using the microfluidic device. We observed that each strain has a different lipid accumulation pattern according to stress conditions. These results demonstrate that our multiplex microfluidic approach can provide an efficient analytical tool for the rapid analysis of strain performances (e.g. cell growth and lipid productivities) and the determination of the optimal lipid induction condition for each strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho Seok Kwak
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 136-713, South Korea.
| | - Jaoon Young Hwan Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 136-713, South Korea.
| | - Sang Cheol Na
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Noo Li Jeon
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Jun Sim
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 136-713, South Korea. and Green School, Korea University, Seoul 136-713, South Korea
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45
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Morelli L, Andreasen SZ, Jendresen CB, Nielsen AT, Emnéus J, Zór K, Boisen A. Quantification of a bacterial secondary metabolite by SERS combined with SLM extraction for bioprocess monitoring. Analyst 2017; 142:4553-4559. [DOI: 10.1039/c7an01393k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The yield of a bacterial secondary metabolite was quantified using SERS-based sensing combined with a SLM μfluidic device enabling sample extraction and enrichment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Morelli
- Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology
- Technical University of Denmark
- 2800 Kgs. Lyngby
- Denmark
| | - Sune Zoëga Andreasen
- Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology
- Technical University of Denmark
- 2800 Kgs. Lyngby
- Denmark
| | - Christian Bille Jendresen
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability
- Technical University of Denmark
- 2800 Kgs. Lyngby
- Denmark
| | - Alex Toftgaard Nielsen
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability
- Technical University of Denmark
- 2800 Kgs. Lyngby
- Denmark
| | - Jenny Emnéus
- Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology
- Technical University of Denmark
- 2800 Kgs. Lyngby
- Denmark
| | - Kinga Zór
- Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology
- Technical University of Denmark
- 2800 Kgs. Lyngby
- Denmark
| | - Anja Boisen
- Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology
- Technical University of Denmark
- 2800 Kgs. Lyngby
- Denmark
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46
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Wang J, Zhao J, Wang Y, Wang W, Gao Y, Xu R, Zhao W. A New Microfluidic Device for Classification of Microalgae Cells Based on Simultaneous Analysis of Chlorophyll Fluorescence, Side Light Scattering, Resistance Pulse Sensing. MICROMACHINES 2016; 7:mi7110198. [PMID: 30404370 PMCID: PMC6190122 DOI: 10.3390/mi7110198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Revised: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Fast on-site monitoring of foreign microalgae species carried by ship ballast water has drawn more and more attention. In this paper, we presented a new method and a compact device of classification of microalgae cells by simultaneous detection of three kinds of signals of single microalgae cells in a disposable microfluidic chip. The microfluidic classification device has advantages of fast detection, low cost, and portability. The species of a single microalgae cell can be identified by simultaneous detection of three signals of chlorophyll fluorescence (CF), side light scattering (SLS), and resistance pulse sensing (RPS) of the microalgae cell. These three signals represent the different characteristics of a microalgae cell. A compact device was designed to detect these three signals of a microalgae cell simultaneously. In order to demonstrate the performance of the developed system, the comparison experiments of the mixed samples of three different species of microalgae cells between the developed system and a commercial flow cytometer were conducted. The results show that three kinds of microalgae cells can be distinguished clearly by our developed system and the commercial flow cytometer and both results have good agreement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junsheng Wang
- College of Information and Science Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Vessel Pollution Monitoring and Control, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China.
| | - Jinsong Zhao
- College of Information and Science Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China.
| | - Yanjuan Wang
- College of Information and Science Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China.
| | - Wei Wang
- College of Information and Science Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China.
| | - Yushu Gao
- College of Information and Science Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China.
| | - Runze Xu
- College of Information and Science Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China.
| | - Wenshuang Zhao
- College of Information and Science Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China.
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47
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Novel micro-photobioreactor design and monitoring method for assessing microalgae response to light intensity. ALGAL RES 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2016.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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48
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Moutel B, Gonçalves O, Le Grand F, Long M, Soudant P, Legrand J, Grizeau D, Pruvost J. Development of a screening procedure for the characterization of Botryococcus braunii strains for biofuel application. Process Biochem 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2016.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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49
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Kwak HS, Kim JYH, Woo HM, Jin E, Min BK, Sim SJ. Synergistic effect of multiple stress conditions for improving microalgal lipid production. ALGAL RES 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2016.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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50
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Yang YT, Wang CY. Review of Microfluidic Photobioreactor Technology for Metabolic Engineering and Synthetic Biology of Cyanobacteria and Microalgae. MICROMACHINES 2016; 7:mi7100185. [PMID: 30404358 PMCID: PMC6190437 DOI: 10.3390/mi7100185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2016] [Revised: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
One goal of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology for cyanobacteria and microalgae is to engineer strains that can optimally produce biofuels and commodity chemicals. However, the current workflow is slow and labor intensive with respect to assembly of genetic parts and characterization of production yields because of the slow growth rates of these organisms. Here, we review recent progress in the microfluidic photobioreactors and identify opportunities and unmet needs in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. Because of the unprecedented experimental resolution down to the single cell level, long-term real-time monitoring capability, and high throughput with low cost, microfluidic photobioreactor technology will be an indispensible tool to speed up the development process, advance fundamental knowledge, and realize the full potential of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology for cyanobacteria and microalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Tang Yang
- Department of Electrical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan.
| | - Chun Ying Wang
- Department of Electrical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan.
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