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Di Gravina GM, Loi G, Auricchio F, Conti M. Computer-aided engineering and additive manufacturing for bioreactors in tissue engineering: State of the art and perspectives. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2023; 4:031303. [PMID: 38510707 PMCID: PMC10903388 DOI: 10.1063/5.0156704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Two main challenges are currently present in the healthcare world, i.e., the limitations given by transplantation and the need to have available 3D in vitro models. In this context, bioreactors are devices that have been introduced in tissue engineering as a support for facing the mentioned challenges by mimicking the cellular native microenvironment through the application of physical stimuli. Bioreactors can be divided into two groups based on their final application: macro- and micro-bioreactors, which address the first and second challenge, respectively. The bioreactor design is a crucial step as it determines the way in which physical stimuli are provided to cells. It strongly depends on the manufacturing techniques chosen for the realization. In particular, in bioreactor prototyping, additive manufacturing techniques are widely used nowadays as they allow the fabrication of customized shapes, guaranteeing more degrees of freedom. To support the bioreactor design, a powerful tool is represented by computational simulations that allow to avoid useless approaches of trial-and-error. In the present review, we aim to discuss the general workflow that must be carried out to develop an optimal macro- and micro-bioreactor. Accordingly, we organize the discussion by addressing the following topics: general and stimulus-specific (i.e., perfusion, mechanical, and electrical) requirements that must be considered during the design phase based on the tissue target; computational models as support in designing bioreactors based on the provided stimulus; manufacturing techniques, with a special focus on additive manufacturing techniques; and finally, current applications and new trends in which bioreactors are involved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giada Loi
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Auricchio
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Michele Conti
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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2
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Xu X, Zhang Y, Ha P, Chen Y, Li C, Yen E, Bai Y, Chen R, Wu BM, Da Lio A, Ting K, Soo C, Zheng Z. A novel injectable fibromodulin-releasing granular hydrogel for tendon healing and functional recovery. Bioeng Transl Med 2022; 8:e10355. [PMID: 36684085 PMCID: PMC9842059 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
A crucial component of the musculoskeletal system, the tendon is one of the most commonly injured tissues in the body. In severe cases, the ruptured tendon leads to permanent dysfunction. Although many efforts have been devoted to seeking a safe and efficient treatment for enhancing tendon healing, currently existing treatments have not yet achieved a major clinical improvement. Here, an injectable granular hyaluronic acid (gHA)-hydrogel is engineered to deliver fibromodulin (FMOD)-a bioactive extracellular matrix (ECM) that enhances tenocyte mobility and optimizes the surrounding ECM assembly for tendon healing. The FMOD-releasing granular HA (FMOD/gHA)-hydrogel exhibits unique characteristics that are desired for both patients and health providers, such as permitting a microinvasive application and displaying a burst-to-sustained two-phase release of FMOD, which leads to a prompt FMOD delivery followed by a constant dose-maintaining period. Importantly, the generated FMOD-releasing granular HA hydrogel significantly augmented tendon-healing in a fully-ruptured rat's Achilles tendon model histologically, mechanically, and functionally. Particularly, the breaking strength of the wounded tendon and the gait performance of treated rats returns to the same normal level as the healthy controls. In summary, a novel effective FMOD/gHA-hydrogel is developed in response to the urgent demand for promoting tendon healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Xu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic and Traumatic SurgeryBeijing Stomatological Hospital of Capital Medical UniversityBeijingChina,Division of Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryDavid Geffen School of Medicine, University of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA,Division of Growth and DevelopmentSchool of Dentistry, University of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Yulong Zhang
- School of DentistryUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Pin Ha
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryDavid Geffen School of Medicine, University of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA,Division of Growth and DevelopmentSchool of Dentistry, University of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Yao Chen
- School of DentistryUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Chenshuang Li
- Department of OrthodonticsSchool of Dental Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Emily Yen
- Arcadia High SchoolArcadiaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Yuxing Bai
- Department of OrthodonticsBeijing Stomatological Hospital of Capital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Renji Chen
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic and Traumatic SurgeryBeijing Stomatological Hospital of Capital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Benjamin M. Wu
- School of DentistryUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Andrew Da Lio
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryDavid Geffen School of Medicine, University of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kang Ting
- Forsyth Research InstituteHarvard UniversityCambridgeMassachusettsUSA,Samueli School of EngineeringUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Chia Soo
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryThe Orthopaedic Hospital Research Center, University of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Zhong Zheng
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryDavid Geffen School of Medicine, University of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA,Division of Growth and DevelopmentSchool of Dentistry, University of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
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Banks M, Johnson R, Giver L, Bryant G, Guo M. Industrial production of microbial protein products. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2022; 75:102707. [PMID: 35276510 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Microbial proteins provide a sustainable and nutritious alternative to traditional animal and plant-based proteins. Various strains have been demonstrated to generate biomass from a wide variety of substrates, from organic waste (e.g. banana peel) to gases (e.g. methane). Industrial production of microbial protein has proven difficult from both design (e.g. production rate) and regulatory (e.g. allergenicity of product) perspectives for both feed and food-grade products. Through use of low-cost microfluidics devices, early bioprocess design can be intensified, achieving high strain screening throughput with low titres. Integration of industrial waste streams (e.g. flue-gases, lignocellulosic residues) can reduce cost and carbon footprint of feedstock, while bespoke reactor design (e.g. Quorn's airlift U-loop fermenter) can remediate issues of low mass-transfer and product quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mason Banks
- Department of Engineering, Faculty of Natural Mathematical & Engineering Sciences, King's College London, Strand Campus, WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Rob Johnson
- Quorn Foods, Station Road, Stokesley, North Yorkshire, TS9 7AB, UK
| | - Lori Giver
- Calysta, T3 Block, The Wilton Centre, Wilton, Redcar, TS10 4RF, UK
| | - Geoff Bryant
- Calysta, T3 Block, The Wilton Centre, Wilton, Redcar, TS10 4RF, UK
| | - Miao Guo
- Department of Engineering, Faculty of Natural Mathematical & Engineering Sciences, King's College London, Strand Campus, WC2R 2LS, UK.
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Ortega C, Corredor D, Santillán M, Ger W, Noceda J, Pais-Chanfrau J, Trujillo L. Lab on a Chip: Bioreactors miniaturization for rapid optimization of biomedical processes and its impact on SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. BIONATURA 2021. [DOI: 10.21931/rb/2021.06.03.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Lab on a Chip (LoC) as part of Microbioreactors (MBRs) constitute an emergent technology to carry out micro-bioprocesses based on microfluidics research. In this review, the usefulness of LoCs is exposed since its inception, demonstrating that it is a multidisciplinary research field, gathering different science branches to develop this technology. As a result, a beneficial point of advancement is reached, producing useful consumables for humanity. Some of the described LoCs throughout this work are also used to detect infectious diseases caused by bacteria or viruses, allowing accelerated studies on emerging or high-impact diseases, such as COVID-19. Here are also displayed with an updated panorama, different strategies to improve the use, applications in the biomedical field, and spread of these devices aimed at their availability to solve social problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- C.P. Ortega
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida y la Agricultura, Laboratorio Multidisciplinario, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas – ESPE, Sangolquí, Ecuador
| | - D.A Corredor
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida y la Agricultura, Laboratorio Multidisciplinario, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas – ESPE, Sangolquí, Ecuador
| | - M.E Santillán
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida y la Agricultura, Laboratorio Multidisciplinario, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas – ESPE, Sangolquí, Ecuador
| | - W.S Ger
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida y la Agricultura, Laboratorio Multidisciplinario, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas – ESPE, Sangolquí, Ecuador
| | - J.M Noceda
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida y la Agricultura, Laboratorio Multidisciplinario, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas – ESPE, Sangolquí, Ecuador Grupo de Investigación de Biotecnología Industrial y Bioproductos Centro de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología – CENCINAT, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE, Sangolquí, Ecuador
| | - J.M Pais-Chanfrau
- Grupo de Investigación de Biotecnología Industrial y Bioproductos Centro de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología – CENCINAT, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE, Sangolquí, Ecuador FICAYA, Universidad Técnica del Norte (UTN), Ibarra, Imbabura, Ecuador
| | - L.E Trujillo
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida y la Agricultura, Laboratorio Multidisciplinario, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas – ESPE, Sangolquí, Ecuador. Grupo de Investigación de Biotecnología Industrial y Bioproductos Centro de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología – CENCINAT, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE, Sangolquí, Ecuador
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Singh B, Abdelgawad ME, Ali Z, Bailey J, Budyn E, Civita P, Clift MJD, Connelly JT, Constant S, Hittinger M, Kandarova H, Kearns VR, Kiuru T, Kostrzewski T, Kress S, Durban VM, Lehr CM, McMillan H, Metz JK, Monteban V, Movia D, Neto C, Owen C, Paasonen L, Palmer KA, Pilkington GJ, Pilkington K, Prina-Mello A, Roper C, Sheard J, Smith S, Turner JE, Roy I, Tutty MA, Velliou E, Wilkinson JM. Towards More Predictive, Physiological and Animal-free In Vitro Models: Advances in Cell and Tissue Culture 2020 Conference Proceedings. Altern Lab Anim 2021; 49:93-110. [PMID: 34225465 DOI: 10.1177/02611929211025006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Experimental systems that faithfully replicate human physiology at cellular, tissue and organ level are crucial to the development of efficacious and safe therapies with high success rates and low cost. The development of such systems is challenging and requires skills, expertise and inputs from a diverse range of experts, such as biologists, physicists, engineers, clinicians and regulatory bodies. Kirkstall Limited, a biotechnology company based in York, UK, organised the annual conference, Advances in Cell and Tissue Culture (ACTC), which brought together people having a variety of expertise and interests, to present and discuss the latest developments in the field of cell and tissue culture and in vitro modelling. The conference has also been influential in engaging animal welfare organisations in the promotion of research, collaborative projects and funding opportunities. This report describes the proceedings of the latest ACTC conference, which was held virtually on 30th September and 1st October 2020, and included sessions on in vitro models in the following areas: advanced skin and respiratory models, neurological disease, cancer research, advanced models including 3-D, fluid flow and co-cultures, diabetes and other age-related disorders, and animal-free research. The roundtable session on the second day was very interactive and drew huge interest, with intriguing discussion taking place among all participants on the theme of replacement of animal models of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohamed Essameldin Abdelgawad
- Cellular, Molecular & Industrial Biotechnology and Cellular & Molecular Immunobiology, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Zulfiqur Ali
- Healthcare Innovation Centre, School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK
| | - Jarrod Bailey
- Center for Contemporary Sciences, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Elisa Budyn
- CNRS Laboratory of Mechanics and Technology, Ecole Normale Superieure Paris-Saclay, University Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Prospero Civita
- Brain Tumour Research Centre, Institute of Biological and Biomedical Sciences (IBBS), School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK.,School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Martin J D Clift
- In Vitro Toxicology Group, Institute of Life Sciences, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, UK
| | - John T Connelly
- Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Helena Kandarova
- Centre of Experimental Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Victoria Rosalind Kearns
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Tony Kiuru
- UPM-Kymmene Corporation, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Sebastian Kress
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute for Cell and Tissue Culture Technologies, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Claus-Michael Lehr
- Helmholtz-Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI), and Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Hayley McMillan
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Julia Katharina Metz
- Pharmbiotec Research and Development GmbH, Saarbrücken, Germany.,Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | | | - Dania Movia
- Laboratory for Biological Characterisation of Advanced Materials (LBCAM), Department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Catia Neto
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | | | - Kerri Anne Palmer
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | - Karen Pilkington
- School of Health and Social Care Professions, Faculty of Health and Science, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | - Adriele Prina-Mello
- Laboratory for Biological Characterisation of Advanced Materials (LBCAM), Department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Clive Roper
- Roper Toxicology Consulting Limited, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Sheree Smith
- School of Clinical and Applied Sciences, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Ipsita Roy
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Kroto Research Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Melissa Anne Tutty
- Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eirini Velliou
- Centre for 3D Models of Health and Disease, Department of Targeted Intervention, Division of Surgery and Interventional Science-UCL, London, UK
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Established tools and emerging trends for the production of recombinant proteins and metabolites in Pichia pastoris. Essays Biochem 2021; 65:293-307. [PMID: 33956085 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20200138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Besides bakers' yeast, the methylotrophic yeast Komagataella phaffii (also known as Pichia pastoris) has been developed into the most popular yeast cell factory for the production of heterologous proteins. Strong promoters, stable genetic constructs and a growing collection of freely available strains, tools and protocols have boosted this development equally as thorough genetic and cell biological characterization. This review provides an overview of state-of-the-art tools and techniques for working with P. pastoris, as well as guidelines for the production of recombinant proteins with a focus on small-scale production for biochemical studies and protein characterization. The growing applications of P. pastoris for in vivo biotransformation and metabolic pathway engineering for the production of bulk and specialty chemicals are highlighted as well.
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Tarafdar A, Sirohi R, Gaur VK, Kumar S, Sharma P, Varjani S, Pandey HO, Sindhu R, Madhavan A, Rajasekharan R, Sim SJ. Engineering interventions in enzyme production: Lab to industrial scale. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2021; 326:124771. [PMID: 33550211 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.124771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Commercial enzyme production has gained popularity due to its extensive applications in traditional and modern industrial sectors. Rigorous research activities are being conducted worldwide to make the enzyme production system more efficient, cost-effective and hence, sustainable. To overcome the lacunae in earlier enzyme production methods, new engineering interventions are being introduced to meet the growing demand for industrial enzymes. This review focuses initially on the current global scenario of the enzyme market followed by a discussion on different bioreactor design approaches. The use of novel membrane based, airlift and reciprocating plate bioreactors along with the emergence of micro-reactors have also been discussed. Further, the review covers different modelling and optimization strategies for the enzyme production process including advanced techniques like neural networks, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems and genetic algorithms. Finally, the required thrust areas in the enzyme production sector have been highlighted with directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayon Tarafdar
- Divison of Livestock Production and Management, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly 243 122, India
| | - Ranjna Sirohi
- Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Lucknow 226 029, India; Technology Development Centre, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur 440 020, India; Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 136713, Republic of Korea
| | - Vivek Kumar Gaur
- Environmental Biotechnology Division, Environmental Toxicology Group, CSIR- Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow 226 001, India
| | - Sunil Kumar
- Technology Development Centre, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur 440 020, India
| | - Poonam Sharma
- Department of Bioengineering, Integral University, Lucknow 226 029, India
| | - Sunita Varjani
- Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gandhinagar 382 010, Gujarat, India
| | - Hari Om Pandey
- Divison of Livestock Production and Management, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly 243 122, India
| | - Raveendran Sindhu
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Thiruvananthapuram 695 019, India
| | - Aravind Madhavan
- Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Trivandrum 695 014, India
| | | | - Sang Jun Sim
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 136713, Republic of Korea.
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Scott SM, Ali Z. Fabrication Methods for Microfluidic Devices: An Overview. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:319. [PMID: 33803689 PMCID: PMC8002879 DOI: 10.3390/mi12030319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Microfluidic devices offer the potential to automate a wide variety of chemical and biological operations that are applicable for diagnostic and therapeutic operations with higher efficiency as well as higher repeatability and reproducibility. Polymer based microfluidic devices offer particular advantages including those of cost and biocompatibility. Here, we describe direct and replication approaches for manufacturing of polymer microfluidic devices. Replications approaches require fabrication of mould or master and we describe different methods of mould manufacture, including mechanical (micro-cutting; ultrasonic machining), energy-assisted methods (electrodischarge machining, micro-electrochemical machining, laser ablation, electron beam machining, focused ion beam (FIB) machining), traditional micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) processes, as well as mould fabrication approaches for curved surfaces. The approaches for microfluidic device fabrications are described in terms of low volume production (casting, lamination, laser ablation, 3D printing) and high-volume production (hot embossing, injection moulding, and film or sheet operations).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zulfiqur Ali
- Healthcare Innovation Centre, School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, Tees Valley TS1 3BX, UK
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Zoupanou S, Chiriacò MS, Tarantini I, Ferrara F. Innovative 3D Microfluidic Tools for On-Chip Fluids and Particles Manipulation: From Design to Experimental Validation. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:mi12020104. [PMID: 33494413 PMCID: PMC7912382 DOI: 10.3390/mi12020104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Micromixers are essential components in lab-on-a-chip devices, of which the low efficiency can limit many bio-application studies. Effective mixing with automation capabilities is still a crucial requirement. In this paper, we present a method to fabricate a three-dimensional (3D) poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) fluidic mixer by combining computer-aided design (CAD), micromilling technology, and experimental application via manipulating fluids and nanoparticles. The entire platform consists of three microfabricated layers with a bottom reservoir-shaped microchannel, a central serpentine channel, and a through-hole for interconnection and an upper layer containing inlets and outlet. The sealing process of the three layers and the high-precision and customizable methods used for fabrication ensure the realization of the monolithic 3D architecture. This provides buried running channels able to perform passive chaotic mixing and dilution functions, thanks to a portion of the pathway in common between the reservoir and serpentine layers. The possibility to plug-and-play micropumping systems allows us to easily demonstrate the feasibility and working features of our device for tracking the mixing and dilution performances of the micromixer by using colored fluids and fluorescent nanoparticles as the proof of concept. Exploiting the good transparency of the PMMA, spatial liquid composition and better control over reaction variables are possible, and the real-time monitoring of experiments under a fluorescence microscope is also allowed. The tools shown in this paper are easily integrable in more complex lab-on-chip platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Zoupanou
- CNR NANOTEC—Institute of Nanotechnology, via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
- Department of Mathematics & Physics E. de Giorgi, via Arnesano, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
| | - Maria Serena Chiriacò
- CNR NANOTEC—Institute of Nanotechnology, via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
- Correspondence: (M.S.C.); (F.F.)
| | - Iolena Tarantini
- Department of Mathematics & Physics E. de Giorgi, via Arnesano, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
| | - Francesco Ferrara
- CNR NANOTEC—Institute of Nanotechnology, via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
- STMicroelectronics S.R.L., via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.S.C.); (F.F.)
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10
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Teggert A, Datta H, McIntosh S, Warden B, Bateson S, Abugchem F, Ali Z. Portable, low cost and sensitive cavity enhanced absorption (CEA) detection. Analyst 2021; 146:196-206. [PMID: 33140076 DOI: 10.1039/d0an01852j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Absorption is a widely used technique for a range of different applications. It has lower sensitivity than many other techniques such as fluorescence which has 100 to 1000 times higher sensitivity than absorption. Optical cavity approaches have been developed where the light passes back and forth, within the sample, between two high reflectivity mirrors to increase the pathlength and sensitivity. These approaches have not yet, however, been widely used for analytical applications and for point-of-care diagnostics. Here we show a portable cavity enhanced absorption (CEA) spectrometer and a low cost point-of-care (POC) reader with CEA detection with mechanical elements fabricated using 3D printing. The CEA spectrometer can be used in both single pass and multi-pass cavity enhanced mode to provide measurements in the visible region that are very sensitive and over a wide dynamic range. The CEA mode was shown for Rhodamine B dye to increase the pathlength 57.8 fold over single pass measurements and an LOD of 7.1 × 10-11 M. The cost of the CEA POC reader was reduced by use of narrow band LEDs, photodiodes and removal of fibre optic coupling and with a 14 fold increase in the pathlength over conventional single pass microplate readers. The CEA POC reader was demonstrated for immunoassay of C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Procalcitonin (PCT) and Interleukin 6 (IL-6), towards a three biomarker panel to aid the diagnosis of sepsis. The CEA POC reader can be integrated with wireless connectivity for cloud based data sharing. We show here the potential for the wider use of optical cavity approaches where there is a need for sensitive absorption measurements and also for low cost point-of-care diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Teggert
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough TS4 3BW, UK
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