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Yan W, Li X, Zhao D, Xie M, Li T, Qian L, Ye C, Shi T, Wu L, Wang Y. Advanced strategies in high-throughput droplet screening for enzyme engineering. Biosens Bioelectron 2024; 248:115972. [PMID: 38171222 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Enzymes, as biocatalysts, play a cumulatively important role in environmental purification and industrial production of chemicals and pharmaceuticals. However, natural enzymes are limited by their physiological properties in practice, which need to be modified driven by requirements. Screening and isolating certain enzyme variants or ideal industrial strains with high yielding of target product enzymes is one of the main directions of enzyme engineering research. Droplet-based high-throughput screening (DHTS) technology employs massive monodisperse emulsion droplets as microreactors to achieve single strain encapsulation, as well as continuous monitoring for the inside mutant library. It can effectively sort out strains or enzymes with desired characteristics, offering a throughput of 108 events per hour. Much of the early literature focused on screening various engineered strains or designing signalling sorting strategies based on DHTS technology. However, the field of enzyme engineering lacks a comprehensive overview of advanced methods for microfluidic droplets and their cutting-edge developments in generation and manipulation. This review emphasizes the advanced strategies and frontiers of microfluidic droplet generation and manipulation facilitating enzyme engineering development. We also introduce design for various screening signals that cooperate with DHTS and devote to enzyme engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxin Yan
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Xiang Li
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Danshan Zhao
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Meng Xie
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Ting Li
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Lu Qian
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Chao Ye
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of NSLSCS, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China.
| | - Tianqiong Shi
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China.
| | - Lina Wu
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China; Food Laboratory of Zhongyuan, Luohe, 462300, Henan, China.
| | - Yuetong Wang
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China.
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2
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Bianchi JRDO, de la Torre LG, Costa ALR. Droplet-Based Microfluidics as a Platform to Design Food-Grade Delivery Systems Based on the Entrapped Compound Type. Foods 2023; 12:3385. [PMID: 37761094 PMCID: PMC10527709 DOI: 10.3390/foods12183385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Microfluidic technology has emerged as a powerful tool for several applications, including chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering. Due to the laminar regime, droplet-based microfluidics enable the development of diverse delivery systems based on food-grade emulsions, such as multiple emulsions, microgels, microcapsules, solid lipid microparticles, and giant liposomes. Additionally, by precisely manipulating fluids on the low-energy-demand micrometer scale, it becomes possible to control the size, shape, and dispersity of generated droplets, which makes microfluidic emulsification an excellent approach for tailoring delivery system properties based on the nature of the entrapped compounds. Thus, this review points out the most current advances in droplet-based microfluidic processes, which successfully use food-grade emulsions to develop simple and complex delivery systems. In this context, we summarized the principles of droplet-based microfluidics, introducing the most common microdevice geometries, the materials used in the manufacture, and the forces involved in the different droplet-generation processes into the microchannels. Subsequently, the encapsulated compound type, classified as lipophilic or hydrophilic functional compounds, was used as a starting point to present current advances in delivery systems using food-grade emulsions and their assembly using microfluidic technologies. Finally, we discuss the limitations and perspectives of scale-up in droplet-based microfluidic approaches, including the challenges that have limited the transition of microfluidic processes from the lab-scale to the industrial-scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhonatan Rafael de Oliveira Bianchi
- Department of Materials and Bioprocess Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Campinas, Av. Albert Einstein, 500, Campinas 13083-852, Brazil; (J.R.d.O.B.); (L.G.d.l.T.)
| | - Lucimara Gaziola de la Torre
- Department of Materials and Bioprocess Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Campinas, Av. Albert Einstein, 500, Campinas 13083-852, Brazil; (J.R.d.O.B.); (L.G.d.l.T.)
| | - Ana Leticia Rodrigues Costa
- Department of Materials and Bioprocess Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Campinas, Av. Albert Einstein, 500, Campinas 13083-852, Brazil; (J.R.d.O.B.); (L.G.d.l.T.)
- Institute of Exact and Technological Sciences, Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), Campus Florestal, Florestal 35690-000, Brazil
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3
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Trinh TND, Do HDK, Nam NN, Dan TT, Trinh KTL, Lee NY. Droplet-Based Microfluidics: Applications in Pharmaceuticals. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:937. [PMID: 37513850 PMCID: PMC10385691 DOI: 10.3390/ph16070937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Droplet-based microfluidics offer great opportunities for applications in various fields, such as diagnostics, food sciences, and drug discovery. A droplet provides an isolated environment for performing a single reaction within a microscale-volume sample, allowing for a fast reaction with a high sensitivity, high throughput, and low risk of cross-contamination. Owing to several remarkable features, droplet-based microfluidic techniques have been intensively studied. In this review, we discuss the impact of droplet microfluidics, particularly focusing on drug screening and development. In addition, we surveyed various methods of device fabrication and droplet generation/manipulation. We further highlight some promising studies covering drug synthesis and delivery that were updated within the last 5 years. This review provides researchers with a quick guide that includes the most up-to-date and relevant information on the latest scientific findings on the development of droplet-based microfluidics in the pharmaceutical field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi Ngoc Diep Trinh
- Department of Materials Science, School of Applied Chemistry, Tra Vinh University, Tra Vinh City 87000, Vietnam
| | - Hoang Dang Khoa Do
- NTT Hi-Tech Institute, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ward 13, District 04, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Nhat Nam
- Biotechnology Center, School of Agriculture and Aquaculture, Tra Vinh University, Tra Vinh City 87000, Vietnam
| | - Thach Thi Dan
- Department of Materials Science, School of Applied Chemistry, Tra Vinh University, Tra Vinh City 87000, Vietnam
| | - Kieu The Loan Trinh
- BioNano Applications Research Center, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnam-daero, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Nae Yoon Lee
- Department of BioNano Technology, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnam-daero, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si 13120, Republic of Korea
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4
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Cai S, Erfle P, Dietzel A. A Digital Twin of the Coaxial Lamination Mixer for the Systematic Study of Mixing Performance and the Prediction of Precipitated Nanoparticle Properties. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:2076. [PMID: 36557375 PMCID: PMC9780925 DOI: 10.3390/mi13122076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The synthesis of nanoparticles in microchannels promises the advantages of small size, uniform shape and narrow size distribution. However, only with insights into the mixing processes can the most suitable designs and operating conditions be systematically determined. Coaxial lamination mixers (CLM) built by 2-photon polymerization can operate long-term stable nanoparticle precipitation without fouling issues. Contact of the organic phase with the microchannel walls is prevented while mixing with the aqueous phase is intensified. A coaxial nozzle allows 3D hydrodynamic focusing followed by a sequence of stretch-and-fold units. By means of a digital twin based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and numerical evaluation of mixing progression, the influences of operation conditions are now studied in detail. As a measure for homogenization, the mixing index (MI) was extracted as a function of microchannel position for different operating parameters such as the total flow rate and the share of solvent flow. As an exemplary result, behind a third stretch-and-fold unit, practically perfect mixing (MI>0.9) is predicted at total flow rates between 50 µL/min and 400 µL/min and up to 20% solvent flow share. Based on MI values, the mixing time, which is decisive for the size and dispersity of the nanoparticles, can be determined. Under the conditions considered, it ranges from 5 ms to 54 ms. A good correlation between the predicted mixing time and nanoparticle properties, as experimentally observed in earlier work, could be confirmed. The digital twin combining CFD with the MI methodology can in the future be used to adjust the design of a CLM or other micromixers to the desired total flow rates and flow rate ratios and to provide valuable predictions for the mixing time and even the properties of nanoparticles produced by microfluidic antisolvent precipitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songtao Cai
- Institute of Microtechnology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Peer Erfle
- Institute of Microtechnology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Andreas Dietzel
- Institute of Microtechnology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
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5
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Liu Y, Yang G, Hui Y, Ranaweera S, Zhao CX. Microfluidic Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2106580. [PMID: 35396770 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202106580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted tremendous interest in drug delivery in the past decades. Microfluidics offers a promising strategy for making NPs for drug delivery due to its capability in precisely controlling NP properties. The recent success of mRNA vaccines using microfluidics represents a big milestone for microfluidic NPs for pharmaceutical applications, and its rapid scaling up demonstrates the feasibility of using microfluidics for industrial-scale manufacturing. This article provides a critical review of recent progress in microfluidic NPs for drug delivery. First, the synthesis of organic NPs using microfluidics focusing on typical microfluidic methods and their applications in making popular and clinically relevant NPs, such as liposomes, lipid NPs, and polymer NPs, as well as their synthesis mechanisms are summarized. Then, the microfluidic synthesis of several representative inorganic NPs (e.g., silica, metal, metal oxide, and quantum dots), and hybrid NPs is discussed. Lastly, the applications of microfluidic NPs for various drug delivery applications are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Liu
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Guangze Yang
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Yue Hui
- Institute of Advanced Technology, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
| | - Supun Ranaweera
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Chun-Xia Zhao
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
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6
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Erfle P, Riewe J, Cai S, Bunjes H, Dietzel A. Horseshoe lamination mixer (HLM) sets new standards in the production of monodisperse lipid nanoparticles. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:3025-3044. [PMID: 35829631 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00240j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic mixers promise unique conditions for the controlled and continuous preparation of nanoparticles by antisolvent precipitation. Nanoparticles may enable encapsulation of drug or mRNA molecules in the form of carrier nanoparticles or can provide higher bioavailability in the form of drug nanoparticles. The ultimate goal in microfluidic approaches is the production of nanoparticles with narrow size distributions while avoiding contaminations and achieving sufficiently high throughput. To achieve this, a novel microfluidic precipitation device was developed and realized by two-photon polymerization: mixing elements were designed in such a way that the liquids undergo a repeated Smale horseshoe transformation resulting in an increased interfacial area and mixing times of less than 10 ms. These elements and an additional 3D flow focusing ensure that no organic phase is exposed to the channel walls. The integration of a fluidic shield layer in the flow focusing proved to be useful to delay the precipitation process until reaching a sufficient distance to the injection nozzle. Lipid nanoparticle preparation with different concentrations of castor oil or the hard fat Softisan® 100 were performed at different flow rates and mixing ratios with and without a shield layer. Flow rates of up to 800 μl min-1 and organic phase mixing ratios of up to 20% resulted in particle sizes ranging from 42 nm to 166 nm with polydispersity indices from 0.04 to 0.11, indicating very narrowly distributed, and in most cases even monodisperse, nanoparticles. The occurrence of fouling can be completely suppressed with this new type of mixing elements, as long as Dean vortices are prevented. Moreover, this parameter range in the horseshoe lamination mixer provided a stable and continuous process, which enables a scalable production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peer Erfle
- Institut für Mikrotechnik, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Alte Salzdahlumer Str. 203, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany.
- Zentrum für Pharmaverfahrenstechnik (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Franz-Liszt-Str. 35a, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Juliane Riewe
- Zentrum für Pharmaverfahrenstechnik (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Franz-Liszt-Str. 35a, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Technologie und Biopharmazie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstr. 1, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Songtao Cai
- Institut für Mikrotechnik, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Alte Salzdahlumer Str. 203, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Heike Bunjes
- Zentrum für Pharmaverfahrenstechnik (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Franz-Liszt-Str. 35a, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Technologie und Biopharmazie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstr. 1, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Andreas Dietzel
- Institut für Mikrotechnik, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Alte Salzdahlumer Str. 203, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany.
- Zentrum für Pharmaverfahrenstechnik (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Franz-Liszt-Str. 35a, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
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7
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Angulo C, Sanchez V, Delgado K, Monreal-Escalante E, Hernández-Adame L, Angulo M, Tello-Olea M, Reyes-Becerril M. Oral organic nanovaccines against bacterial and viral diseases. Microb Pathog 2022; 169:105648. [PMID: 35728750 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Vaccines have saved millions of humans and animals from deadly diseases. Many vaccines are still under development to fight against lethal diseases. Indeed, subunit vaccines are a versatile approach with several advantageous attributes, but they lack strong immunogenicity. Nanotechnology is an avenue to vaccine development because nanoparticles may serve as nanocarriers and adjuvants, which are critical aspects for oral vaccines. This review provides an update of oral organic nanovaccines, describing suitable nanomaterials for oral vaccine design and recent (last five-year view) oral nanovaccine developments to fight against those principal pathogens causing human and animal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Angulo
- Immunology & Vaccinology Group. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. (CIBNOR), Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, B.C.S., 23096, Mexico.
| | - Veronica Sanchez
- Immunology & Vaccinology Group. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. (CIBNOR), Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, B.C.S., 23096, Mexico
| | - Karen Delgado
- Immunology & Vaccinology Group. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. (CIBNOR), Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, B.C.S., 23096, Mexico
| | - Elizabeth Monreal-Escalante
- Immunology & Vaccinology Group. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. (CIBNOR), Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, B.C.S., 23096, Mexico; Cátedras-CONACYT. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. (CIBNOR), Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, B.C.S., 23096, Mexico
| | - Luis Hernández-Adame
- Immunology & Vaccinology Group. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. (CIBNOR), Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, B.C.S., 23096, Mexico; Cátedras-CONACYT. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. (CIBNOR), Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, B.C.S., 23096, Mexico
| | - Miriam Angulo
- Immunology & Vaccinology Group. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. (CIBNOR), Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, B.C.S., 23096, Mexico
| | - Marlene Tello-Olea
- Immunology & Vaccinology Group. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. (CIBNOR), Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, B.C.S., 23096, Mexico
| | - Martha Reyes-Becerril
- Immunology & Vaccinology Group. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. (CIBNOR), Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, B.C.S., 23096, Mexico
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Ebrahimifard R, Erfle P, Dietzel A, Garnweitner G. Backscattering-Based Discrimination of Microparticles Using an Optofluidic Multiangle Scattering Chip. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:17519-17527. [PMID: 35664585 PMCID: PMC9161266 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c06343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In this research, we designed and fabricated an optofluidic chip for the detection and differentiation of single particles via the combination of backscattered (BSC) and forward-scattered (FSC) or side-scattered (SSC) light intensity. The high sensitivity of BSC light to the refractive index of the particles enabled an effective approach for the differentiation of individual particles based on the type of material. By recording BSC as well as FSC and SSC light intensities from single particles, transiting through the illumination zone in a microfluidic channel, the size and type of material could be detected simultaneously. The analysis of model samples of polystyrene (PS), as a primary microplastic particle, and silica microspheres showed substantially higher BSC signal values of PS because of a larger refractive index compared to the silica. The scatter plots correlating contributions of BSC (FSC-BSC and SSC-BSC) allowed a clear differentiation of PS and silica particles. To demonstrate the great potential of this methodology, two "real-life" samples containing different types of particles were tested as application examples. Commercial toothpaste and peeling gel products, as primary sources of microplastics into effluents, were analyzed via the optofluidic chip and compared to results from scanning electron microscopy. The scattering analysis of the complex samples enabled the detection and simultaneous differentiation of particles such as microplastics according to their differences in the refractive index via distinctive areas of high and low BSC signal values. Hence, the contribution of BSC light measurements in multiangle scattering of single particles realized in an optofluidic chip opens the way for the discrimination of single particles in a liquid medium in manifold fields of application ranging from environmental monitoring to cosmetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Ebrahimifard
- Institute
for Particle Technology, Technische Universität
Braunschweig, 38104 Braunschweig, Germany
- Laboratory
for Emerging Nanometrology, Technische Universität
Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Peer Erfle
- Institute
of Microtechnology, Technische Universität
Braunschweig, 38092 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Andreas Dietzel
- Institute
of Microtechnology, Technische Universität
Braunschweig, 38092 Braunschweig, Germany
- Laboratory
for Emerging Nanometrology, Technische Universität
Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Georg Garnweitner
- Institute
for Particle Technology, Technische Universität
Braunschweig, 38104 Braunschweig, Germany
- Laboratory
for Emerging Nanometrology, Technische Universität
Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
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9
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Maged A, Abdelbaset R, Mahmoud AA, Elkasabgy NA. Merits and advances of microfluidics in the pharmaceutical field: design technologies and future prospects. Drug Deliv 2022; 29:1549-1570. [PMID: 35612293 PMCID: PMC9154770 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2022.2069878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Microfluidics is used to manipulate fluid flow in micro-channels to fabricate drug delivery vesicles in a uniform tunable size. Thanks to their designs, microfluidic technology provides an alternative and versatile platform over traditional formulation methods of nanoparticles. Understanding the factors that affect the formulation of nanoparticles can guide the proper selection of microfluidic design and the operating parameters aiming at producing nanoparticles with reproducible properties. This review introduces the microfluidic systems' continuous flow (single-phase) and segmented flow (multiphase) and their different mixing parameters and mechanisms. Furthermore, microfluidic approaches for efficient production of nanoparticles as surface modification, anti-fouling, and post-microfluidic treatment are summarized. The review sheds light on the used microfluidic systems and operation parameters applied to prepare and fine-tune nanoparticles like lipid, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based nanoparticles as well as cross-linked nanoparticles. The approaches for scale-up production using microfluidics for clinical or industrial use are also highlighted. Furthermore, the use of microfluidics in preparing novel micro/nanofluidic drug delivery systems is presented. In conclusion, the characteristic vital features of microfluidics offer the ability to develop precise and efficient drug delivery nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr Maged
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Future University in Egypt, Cairo, Egypt.,Pharmaceutical Factory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Future University in Egypt, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Reda Abdelbaset
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Azza A Mahmoud
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Future University in Egypt, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nermeen A Elkasabgy
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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10
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Prakash G, Shokr A, Willemen N, Bashir SM, Shin SR, Hassan S. Microfluidic fabrication of lipid nanoparticles for the delivery of nucleic acids. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 184:114197. [PMID: 35288219 PMCID: PMC9035142 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy has emerged as a potential platform for treating several dreaded and rare diseases that would not have been possible with traditional therapies. Viral vectors have been widely explored as a key platform for gene therapy due to their ability to efficiently transport nucleic acid-based therapeutics into the cells. However, the lack of precision in their delivery has led to several off-target toxicities. As such, various strategies in the form of non-viral gene delivery vehicles have been explored and are currenlty employed in several therapies including the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. In this review, we discuss the opportunities lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) present for efficient gene delivery. We also discuss various synthesis strategies via microfluidics for high throughput fabrication of non-viral gene delivery vehicles. We conclude with the recent applications and clinical trials of these vehicles for the delivery of different genetic materials such as CRISPR editors and RNA for different medical conditions ranging from cancer to rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyan Prakash
- Department of Molecular Metabolism, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ahmed Shokr
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Niels Willemen
- Department of Developmental BioEngineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Technical Medical Centre, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522 NB Enschede, the Netherlands
| | - Showkeen Muzamil Bashir
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Lab, Division of Veterinary Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Srinagar 190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Su Ryon Shin
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | - Shabir Hassan
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biology, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, P.O 127788, United Arab Emirates.
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11
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Amirifar L, Besanjideh M, Nasiri R, Shamloo A, Nasrollahi F, de Barros NR, Davoodi E, Erdem A, Mahmoodi M, Hosseini V, Montazerian H, Jahangiry J, Darabi MA, Haghniaz R, Dokmeci MR, Annabi N, Ahadian S, Khademhosseini A. Droplet-based microfluidics in biomedical applications. Biofabrication 2021; 14. [PMID: 34781274 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ac39a9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Droplet-based microfluidic systems have been employed to manipulate discrete fluid volumes with immiscible phases. Creating the fluid droplets at microscale has led to a paradigm shift in mixing, sorting, encapsulation, sensing, and designing high throughput devices for biomedical applications. Droplet microfluidics has opened many opportunities in microparticle synthesis, molecular detection, diagnostics, drug delivery, and cell biology. In the present review, we first introduce standard methods for droplet generation (i.e., passive and active methods) and discuss the latest examples of emulsification and particle synthesis approaches enabled by microfluidic platforms. Then, the applications of droplet-based microfluidics in different biomedical applications are detailed. Finally, a general overview of the latest trends along with the perspectives and future potentials in the field are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leyla Amirifar
- Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, Tehran, 11365-11155, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
| | - Mohsen Besanjideh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Tehran, 11365-11155, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
| | - Rohollah Nasiri
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Tehran, 11365-11155, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
| | - Amir Shamloo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Tehran, 11365-11155, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
| | | | - Natan Roberto de Barros
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90024, UNITED STATES
| | - Elham Davoodi
- Bioengineering, University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90095, UNITED STATES
| | - Ahmet Erdem
- Bioengineering, University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90095, UNITED STATES
| | | | - Vahid Hosseini
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90024, UNITED STATES
| | - Hossein Montazerian
- Bioengineering, University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90095, UNITED STATES
| | - Jamileh Jahangiry
- University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90095, UNITED STATES
| | | | - Reihaneh Haghniaz
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90024, UNITED STATES
| | - Mehmet R Dokmeci
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90024, UNITED STATES
| | - Nasim Annabi
- Chemical Engineering, UCLA, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, 90095, UNITED STATES
| | - Samad Ahadian
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90024, UNITED STATES
| | - Ali Khademhosseini
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90024, UNITED STATES
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12
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Bolze H, Riewe J, Bunjes H, Dietzel A, Burg TP. Continuous Production of Lipid Nanoparticles by Ultrasound‐Assisted Microfluidic Antisolvent Precipitation. Chem Eng Technol 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ceat.202100149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Holger Bolze
- Max-Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemisty Research Group Biological Micro- and Nanotechnology Am Fassberg 11 37077 Göttingen Germany
- Technische Universität Darmstadt Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology Merckstr. 25 64283 Darmstadt Germany
| | - Juliane Riewe
- Technische Universität Braunschweig Institut für Pharmazeutische Technologie und Biopharmazie Mendelssohnstr. 1 38106 Braunschweig Germany
- Technische Universität Braunschweig PVZ – Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering Franz-Liszt-Str. 35a 38106 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Heike Bunjes
- Technische Universität Braunschweig Institut für Pharmazeutische Technologie und Biopharmazie Mendelssohnstr. 1 38106 Braunschweig Germany
- Technische Universität Braunschweig PVZ – Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering Franz-Liszt-Str. 35a 38106 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Andreas Dietzel
- Technische Universität Braunschweig Institute of Microtechnology Alte Salzdahlumer Str. 203 38124 Braunschweig Germany
- Technische Universität Braunschweig PVZ – Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering Franz-Liszt-Str. 35a 38106 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Thomas P. Burg
- Max-Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemisty Research Group Biological Micro- and Nanotechnology Am Fassberg 11 37077 Göttingen Germany
- Technische Universität Darmstadt Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology Merckstr. 25 64283 Darmstadt Germany
- Technische Universität Darmstadt Centre for Synthetic Biology Rundeturmstraße 12 64283 Darmstadt Germany
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13
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Liu Y, Sun L, Zhang H, Shang L, Zhao Y. Microfluidics for Drug Development: From Synthesis to Evaluation. Chem Rev 2021; 121:7468-7529. [PMID: 34024093 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c01289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Drug development is a long process whose main content includes drug synthesis, drug delivery, and drug evaluation. Compared with conventional drug development procedures, microfluidics has emerged as a revolutionary technology in that it offers a miniaturized and highly controllable environment for bio(chemical) reactions to take place. It is also compatible with analytical strategies to implement integrated and high-throughput screening and evaluations. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the entire microfluidics-based drug development system, from drug synthesis to drug evaluation. The challenges in the current status and the prospects for future development are also discussed. We believe that this review will promote communications throughout diversified scientific and engineering communities that will continue contributing to this burgeoning field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiao Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China.,State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Lingyu Sun
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China.,State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China.,State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Luoran Shang
- Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, the International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China.,State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
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14
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Erfle P, Riewe J, Bunjes H, Dietzel A. Goodbye fouling: a unique coaxial lamination mixer (CLM) enabled by two-photon polymerization for the stable production of monodisperse drug carrier nanoparticles. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:2178-2193. [PMID: 33861294 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc00047k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Poorly soluble drugs can be incorporated in lipid carrier nanoparticles to achieve sufficient bioavailability and open up diverse routes of administration. Preparation by antisolvent precipitation in microfluidic systems enables excellent control of lipid nanoparticle size. However, particle-containing flows bear the risk of material deposition on microchannel surfaces, limiting reproducibility, prolonged continuous processing and scale-up by parallelization as required for practical use. The coaxial lamination mixer (CLM) introduced in this study can fully eliminate contact of the organic phase with the channel walls while efficiently mixing organic and aqueous phases. This unique micromixer, including a nozzle for coaxial injection, a sequence of stretch-and-fold elements and inlet filters, cannot be realized by conventional 2.5D microfabrication but only by 3D two-photon polymerization. Hydrodynamic focusing of the organic phase and fast coaxial lamination were studied in simulations and flow visualization experiments. Different concentrations of castor oil or a hard fat and polysorbate 80 dissolved in ethanol were injected and combined with purified water. Total flow rates of 100 and 200 μL min-1 and flow rate ratios of 15% or less resulted in particle sizes between 67 and 153 nm and polydispersity indices of 0.04 to 0.10. Extended preparation time revealed stable particle sizes and displayed no fouling, indicating that CLMs will even allow high throughput parallelization. Stable castor oil nanoemulsions loaded with the poorly soluble drugs fenofibrate or cannabidiol were prepared. In conclusion, the unique 3D design of the CLM enables prolonged, stable and scalable production of small as well as very narrowly distributed, in most cases even monodisperse drug-loaded lipid nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peer Erfle
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Mikrotechnik, Alte Salzdahlumer Str. 203, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany. and Technische Universität Braunschweig, Zentrum für Pharmaverfahrenstechnik (PVZ), Franz-Liszt-Str. 35a, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Juliane Riewe
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Zentrum für Pharmaverfahrenstechnik (PVZ), Franz-Liszt-Str. 35a, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany and Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Pharmazeutische Technologie und Biopharmazie, Mendelssohnstr. 1, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Heike Bunjes
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Zentrum für Pharmaverfahrenstechnik (PVZ), Franz-Liszt-Str. 35a, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany and Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Pharmazeutische Technologie und Biopharmazie, Mendelssohnstr. 1, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Andreas Dietzel
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Mikrotechnik, Alte Salzdahlumer Str. 203, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany. and Technische Universität Braunschweig, Zentrum für Pharmaverfahrenstechnik (PVZ), Franz-Liszt-Str. 35a, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
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15
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Bolze H, Riewe J, Bunjes H, Dietzel A, Burg TP. Protective Filtration for Microfluidic Nanoparticle Precipitation for Pharmaceutical Applications. Chem Eng Technol 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ceat.202000475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Holger Bolze
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry Research Group Biological Micro- and Nanotechnology Am Fassberg 11 37077 Göttingen Germany
- Technische Universität Darmstadt Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology Merckstr. 25 64283 Darmstadt Germany
| | - Juliane Riewe
- Technische Universität Braunschweig Institut für Pharmazeutische Technologie und Biopharmazie Mendelssohnstr. 1 38106 Braunschweig Germany
- Technische Universität Braunschweig PVZ – Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering Franz-Liszt-Str. 35a 38106 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Heike Bunjes
- Technische Universität Braunschweig Institut für Pharmazeutische Technologie und Biopharmazie Mendelssohnstr. 1 38106 Braunschweig Germany
- Technische Universität Braunschweig PVZ – Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering Franz-Liszt-Str. 35a 38106 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Andreas Dietzel
- Technische Universität Braunschweig Institute of Microtechnology Alte Salzdahlumer Str. 203 38124 Braunschweig Germany
- Technische Universität Braunschweig PVZ – Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering Franz-Liszt-Str. 35a 38106 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Thomas P. Burg
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry Research Group Biological Micro- and Nanotechnology Am Fassberg 11 37077 Göttingen Germany
- Technische Universität Darmstadt Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology Merckstr. 25 64283 Darmstadt Germany
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16
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Frey LJ, Vorländer D, Rasch D, Meinen S, Müller B, Mayr T, Dietzel A, Grosch JH, Krull R. Defining mass transfer in a capillary wave micro-bioreactor for dose-response and other cell-based assays. Biochem Eng J 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2020.107667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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17
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Hamdallah SI, Zoqlam R, Erfle P, Blyth M, Alkilany AM, Dietzel A, Qi S. Microfluidics for pharmaceutical nanoparticle fabrication: The truth and the myth. Int J Pharm 2020; 584:119408. [PMID: 32407942 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2020.119408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Using micro-sized channels to manipulate fluids is the essence of microfluidics which has wide applications from analytical chemistry to material science and cell biology research. Recently, using microfluidic-based devices for pharmaceutical research, in particular for the fabrication of micro- and nano-particles, has emerged as a new area of interest. The particles that can be prepared by microfluidic devices can range from micron size droplet-based emulsions to nano-sized drug loaded polymeric particles. Microfluidic technology poses unique advantages in terms of the high precision of the mixing regimes and control of fluids involved in formulation preparation. As a result of this, monodispersity of the particles prepared by microfluidics is often recognised as being a particularly advantageous feature in comparison to those prepared by conventional large-scale mixing methods. However, there is a range of practical drawbacks and challenges of using microfluidics as a direct micron- and nano-particle manufacturing method. Technological advances are still required before this type of processing can be translated for application by the pharmaceutical industry. This review focuses specifically on the application of microfluidics for pharmaceutical solid nanoparticle preparation and discusses the theoretical foundation of using the nanoprecipitation principle to generate particles and how this is translated into microfluidic design and operation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherif I Hamdallah
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK; Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Randa Zoqlam
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Peer Erfle
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Mikrotechnik / Institute of Microtechnology, Alte Salzdahlumer Str. 203, Geb. 1A, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany; Technische Universität Braunschweig, Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Franz-Liszt-Str. 35a, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Mark Blyth
- School of Mathematics, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Alaaldin M Alkilany
- Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Andreas Dietzel
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Mikrotechnik / Institute of Microtechnology, Alte Salzdahlumer Str. 203, Geb. 1A, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany; Technische Universität Braunschweig, Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Franz-Liszt-Str. 35a, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sheng Qi
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK.
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18
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Antisolvent precipitation of lipid nanoparticles in microfluidic systems – A comparative study. Int J Pharm 2020; 579:119167. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2020.119167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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19
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Meinen S, Frey LJ, Krull R, Dietzel A. Resonant Mixing in Glass Bowl Microbioreactor Investigated by Microparticle Image Velocimetry. MICROMACHINES 2019; 10:mi10050284. [PMID: 31035561 PMCID: PMC6562785 DOI: 10.3390/mi10050284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Microbioreactors are gaining increased interest in biopharmaceutical research. Due to their decreasing size, the parallelization of multiple reactors allows for simultaneous experiments. This enables the generation of high amounts of valuable data with minimal consumption of precious pharmaceutical substances. However, in bioreactors of all scales, fast mixing represents a crucial condition. Efficient transportation of nutrients to the cells ensures good growing conditions, homogeneous environmental conditions for all cultivated cells, and therefore reproducible and valid data. For these reasons, a new type of batch microbioreactor was developed in which any moving mixer component is rendered obsolete through the utilization of capillary surface waves for homogenization. The bioreactor was fabricated in photosensitive glass and its fluid volume of up to 8 µL was provided within a bowl-shaped volume. External mechanical actuators excited capillary surface waves and stereo microparticle image velocimetry (µPIV) was used to analyze resulting convection at different excitation conditions in varied reactor geometries. Typical vortex patterns were observed at certain resonance frequencies where best mixing conditions occurred. Based on the results, a simplified 1D model which predicts resonance frequencies was evaluated. Cultivation of Escherichia coli BL21 under various mixing conditions showed that mixing in resonance increased the biomass growth rate, led to high biomass concentrations, and provided favorable growth conditions. Since glass slides containing multiple bowl reactors can be excited as a whole, massive parallelization is foreseen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Meinen
- Institute of Microtechnology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany.
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Lasse Jannis Frey
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Rainer Krull
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Andreas Dietzel
- Institute of Microtechnology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany.
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
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20
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Erfle P, Riewe J, Bunjes H, Dietzel A. Stabilized Production of Lipid Nanoparticles of Tunable Size in Taylor Flow Glass Devices with High-Surface-Quality 3D Microchannels. MICROMACHINES 2019; 10:mi10040220. [PMID: 30934803 PMCID: PMC6523713 DOI: 10.3390/mi10040220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Nanoparticles as an application platform for active ingredients offer the advantage of efficient absorption and rapid dissolution in the organism, even in cases of poor water solubility. Active substances can either be presented directly as nanoparticles or can be integrated in a colloidal carrier system (e.g., lipid nanoparticles). For bottom-up nanoparticle production minimizing particle contamination, precipitation processes provide an adequate approach. Microfluidic systems ensure a precise control of mixing for the precipitation, which enables a tunable particle size definition. In this work, a gas/liquid Taylor flow micromixer made of chemically inert glass is presented, in which the organic phases are injected through a symmetric inlet structure. The 3D structuring of the glass was performed by femtosecond laser ablation. Rough microchannel walls are typically obtained by laser ablation but were smoothed by a subsequent annealing process resulting in lower hydrophilicity and even rounder channel cross-sections. Only with such smooth channel walls can a substantial reduction of fouling be obtained, allowing for stable operation over longer periods. The ultrafast mixing of the solutions could be adjusted by simply changing the gas volume flow rate. Narrow particle size distributions are obtained for smaller gas bubbles with a low backflow and when the rate of liquid volume flow has a small influence on particle precipitation. Therefore, nanoparticles with adjustable sizes of down to 70 nm could be reliably produced in continuous mode. Particle size distributions could be narrowed to a polydispersity value of 0.12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peer Erfle
- Technische Universität Braunschweig , Institute of Microtechnology, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany.
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Juliane Riewe
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Pharmazeutische Technologie, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Heike Bunjes
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Pharmazeutische Technologie, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Andreas Dietzel
- Technische Universität Braunschweig , Institute of Microtechnology, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany.
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
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21
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Bolze H, Erfle P, Riewe J, Bunjes H, Dietzel A, Burg TP. A Microfluidic Split-Flow Technology for Product Characterization in Continuous Low-Volume Nanoparticle Synthesis. MICROMACHINES 2019; 10:mi10030179. [PMID: 30857317 PMCID: PMC6470898 DOI: 10.3390/mi10030179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
A key aspect of microfluidic processes is their ability to perform chemical reactions in small volumes under continuous flow. However, a continuous process requires stable reagent flow over a prolonged period. This can be challenging in microfluidic systems, as bubbles or particles easily block or alter the flow. Online analysis of the product stream can alleviate this problem by providing a feedback signal. When this signal exceeds a pre-defined range, the process can be re-adjusted or interrupted to prevent contamination. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of this concept by implementing a microfluidic detector downstream of a segmented-flow system for the synthesis of lipid nanoparticles. To match the flow rate through the detector to the measurement bandwidth independent of the synthesis requirements, a small stream is sidelined from the original product stream and routed through a measuring channel with 2 × 2 µm cross-section. The small size of the measuring channel prevents the entry of air plugs, which are inherent to our segmented flow synthesis device. Nanoparticles passing through the small channel were detected and characterized by quantitative fluorescence measurements. With this setup, we were able to count single nanoparticles. This way, we were able to detect changes in the particle synthesis affecting the size, concentration, or velocity of the particles in suspension. We envision that the flow-splitting scheme demonstrated here can be transferred to detection methods other than fluorescence for continuous monitoring and feedback control of microfluidic nanoparticle synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger Bolze
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen 37077, Germany.
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig 38106, Germany.
| | - Peer Erfle
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig 38106, Germany.
- Institute of Microtechnology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig 38124, Germany.
| | - Juliane Riewe
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig 38106, Germany.
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Technologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig 38106, Germany.
| | - Heike Bunjes
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig 38106, Germany.
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Technologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig 38106, Germany.
| | - Andreas Dietzel
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig 38106, Germany.
- Institute of Microtechnology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig 38124, Germany.
| | - Thomas P Burg
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen 37077, Germany.
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64283 Darmstadt, Germany.
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22
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Stolzenburg P, Lorenz T, Dietzel A, Garnweitner G. Microfluidic synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles via the nonaqueous method. Chem Eng Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2018.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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