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Zhang T, Di Carlo D, Lim CT, Zhou T, Tian G, Tang T, Shen AQ, Li W, Li M, Yang Y, Goda K, Yan R, Lei C, Hosokawa Y, Yalikun Y. Passive microfluidic devices for cell separation. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 71:108317. [PMID: 38220118 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108317] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
The separation of specific cell populations is instrumental in gaining insights into cellular processes, elucidating disease mechanisms, and advancing applications in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, diagnostics, and cell therapies. Microfluidic methods for cell separation have propelled the field forward, benefitting from miniaturization, advanced fabrication technologies, a profound understanding of fluid dynamics governing particle separation mechanisms, and a surge in interdisciplinary investigations focused on diverse applications. Cell separation methodologies can be categorized according to their underlying separation mechanisms. Passive microfluidic separation systems rely on channel structures and fluidic rheology, obviating the necessity for external force fields to facilitate label-free cell separation. These passive approaches offer a compelling combination of cost-effectiveness and scalability when compared to active methods that depend on external fields to manipulate cells. This review delves into the extensive utilization of passive microfluidic techniques for cell separation, encompassing various strategies such as filtration, sedimentation, adhesion-based techniques, pinched flow fractionation (PFF), deterministic lateral displacement (DLD), inertial microfluidics, hydrophoresis, viscoelastic microfluidics, and hybrid microfluidics. Besides, the review provides an in-depth discussion concerning cell types, separation markers, and the commercialization of these technologies. Subsequently, it outlines the current challenges faced in the field and presents a forward-looking perspective on potential future developments. This work hopes to aid in facilitating the dissemination of knowledge in cell separation, guiding future research, and informing practical applications across diverse scientific disciplines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianlong Zhang
- College of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China
| | - Dino Di Carlo
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Chwee Teck Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117583, Singapore
| | - Tianyuan Zhou
- College of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China
| | - Guizhong Tian
- College of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China.
| | - Tao Tang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117583, Singapore
| | - Amy Q Shen
- Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Weihua Li
- School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Ming Li
- School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Yang Yang
- Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572000, China
| | - Keisuke Goda
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; The Institute of Technological Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Ruopeng Yan
- The Institute of Technological Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Cheng Lei
- The Institute of Technological Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yoichiroh Hosokawa
- Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara 630-0192, Japan
| | - Yaxiaer Yalikun
- Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara 630-0192, Japan.
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A L, G F, P L M, D L, G D. Dynamics of non-spherical particles in viscoelastic fluids flowing in a microchannel. SOFT MATTER 2023. [PMID: 38050735 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm01399e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
The migration and orientation dynamics of prolate spheroidal particles suspended in a viscoelastic liquid flowing in a square microchannel is experimentally investigated under inertialess flow conditions. The suspending fluid is an aqueous solution of PolyEthylene Oxyde at relatively high concentration characterized by a high level of elasticity and shear-thinning. Fluid viscoelasticity drives the spheroids towards the channel central region at relatively low flow rates when the particles explore the constant viscosity region of the fluid, without showing a preferential orientation. As the flow rate increases and the fluid enters in the shear-thinning region, a smaller fraction of particles migrates at the central channel region, reducing the focusing efficiency. The focused spheroids rotate sufficiently fast to attain a stable orientation with major axis aligned along the flow direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Langella A
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Franzino G
- Institute of Polymers, Composites, and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy, Napoli, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Maffettone P L
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Larobina D
- Institute of Polymers, Composites, and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy, Napoli, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - D'Avino G
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy.
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Cha H, Dai Y, Hansen HHWB, Ouyang L, Chen X, Kang X, An H, Ta HT, Nguyen NT, Zhang J. Asymmetrical Obstacles Enable Unilateral Inertial Focusing and Separation in Sinusoidal Microchannel. CYBORG AND BIONIC SYSTEMS 2023; 4:0036. [PMID: 37342212 PMCID: PMC10278993 DOI: 10.34133/cbsystems.0036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Inertial microfluidics uses the intrinsic fluid inertia in confined channels to manipulate the particles and cells in a simple, high-throughput, and precise manner. Inertial focusing in a straight channel results in several equilibrium positions within the cross sections. Introducing channel curvature and adjusting the cross-sectional aspect ratio and shape can modify inertial focusing positions and can reduce the number of equilibrium positions. In this work, we introduce an innovative way to adjust the inertial focusing and reduce equilibrium positions by embedding asymmetrical obstacle microstructures. We demonstrated that asymmetrical concave obstacles could break the symmetry of original inertial focusing positions, resulting in unilateral focusing. In addition, we characterized the influence of obstacle size and 3 asymmetrical obstacle patterns on unilateral inertial focusing. Finally, we applied differential unilateral focusing on the separation of 10- and 15-μm particles and isolation of brain cancer cells (U87MG) from white blood cells (WBCs), respectively. The results indicated an excellent cancer cell recovery of 96.4% and WBC rejection ratio of 98.81%. After single processing, the purity of the cancer cells was dramatically enhanced from 1.01% to 90.13%, with an 89.24-fold enrichment. We believe that embedding asymmetric concave micro-obstacles is a new strategy to achieve unilateral inertial focusing and separation in curved channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haotian Cha
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Yuchen Dai
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Helena H. W. B. Hansen
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Lingxi Ouyang
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Xiangxun Chen
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Xiaoyue Kang
- School of Engineering, University of Tasmania, Churchill Avenue, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Hongjie An
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Hang Thu Ta
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
- Bioscience Discipline, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Nam-Trung Nguyen
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Jun Zhang
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
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Wang T, Yuan D, Wan W, Zhang B. Numerical Study of Viscoelastic Microfluidic Particle Manipulation in a Microchannel with Asymmetrical Expansions. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:mi14050915. [PMID: 37241539 DOI: 10.3390/mi14050915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic microparticle manipulation is currently widely used in environmental, bio-chemical, and medical applications. Previously we proposed a straight microchannel with additional triangular cavity arrays to manipulate microparticles with inertial microfluidic forces, and experimentally explored the performances within different viscoelastic fluids. However, the mechanism remained poorly understood, which limited the exploration of the optimal design and standard operation strategies. In this study, we built a simple but robust numerical model to reveal the mechanisms of microparticle lateral migration in such microchannels. The numerical model was validated by our experimental results with good agreement. Furthermore, the force fields under different viscoelastic fluids and flow rates were carried out for quantitative analysis. The mechanism of microparticle lateral migration was revealed and is discussed regarding the dominant microfluidic forces, including drag force, inertial lift force, and elastic force. The findings of this study can help to better understand the different performances of microparticle migration under different fluid environments and complex boundary conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiao Wang
- Department of Hydraulic Engineering, College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Dan Yuan
- School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Wuyi Wan
- Department of Hydraulic Engineering, College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Boran Zhang
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
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Keumarsi MM, Oskouei PF, Dezhkam R, Shamloo A, Vatandoust F, Amiri HA. Numerical study of a double-stair-shaped dielectrophoresis channel for continuous on-chip cell separation and lysis using finite element method. J Chromatogr A 2023; 1696:463960. [PMID: 37030128 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2023.463960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
Prognostication of numerous chronic diseases are in need of identifying circulating tumor cells (CTCs), afterwards, separating and reviving contaminated samples are required. Conventional methods of separating blood cells, namely cytometry or magnetically activated cell sorting, in many cases lose their functionality, or efficiency under different conditions. Hence microfluidic methods of separation have been implemented. Herein, an innovative integrated double stair-shaped microchannel is designed and optimized, capable of 'separation', and 'chemical lysis' simultaneously in which the lysis reagent concentration can be controlled to tune the lysis intensity. The method of insulator-based dielectrophoresis (iDEP), which is the main physics in this device, is utilized yielding maximum separation. Pivotal features of the applied voltage, the voltage difference, the angles and the number of stairs, and the width of the throat in the microchannel have been numerically explored in order to optimize the channel in terms of separation and the lysis buffer concentration. The overall state of optimum case for the voltage difference (ΔV) of 10 owns the following features: the number of stairs is 2, the angle of stairs is 110°, the width of throat is 140 μm, and the inlet voltages are 30 V and 40 V. Also, the overall state of optimum cases for delta possess the following features: the number of stairs is 2, the angle of stairs is 110°, the width of throat is 140 μm, and the inlet voltages are 30 V and 35 V.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pouria Feyzi Oskouei
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rasool Dezhkam
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran; Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Shamloo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran; Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Farzad Vatandoust
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Narmak, Tehran, Iran; Department of Biomechanics, School of Mechanical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Narmak, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hoseyn A Amiri
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Narmak, Tehran, Iran; Department of Biomechanics, School of Mechanical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Narmak, Tehran, Iran
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6
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Zhang T, Cain AK, Semenec L, Liu L, Hosokawa Y, Inglis DW, Yalikun Y, Li M. Microfluidic Separation and Enrichment of Escherichia coli by Size Using Viscoelastic Flows. Anal Chem 2023; 95:2561-2569. [PMID: 36656064 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c05084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Here, we achieve the separation and enrichment of Escherichia coli clusters from its singlets in a viscoelastic microfluidic device. E. coli, an important prokaryotic model organism and a widely used microbial factory, can aggregate in clusters, leading to biofilm development that can be detrimental to human health and industrial processes. The ability to obtain high-purity populations of E. coli clusters is of significance for biological, biomedical, and industrial applications. In this study, polystyrene particles of two different sizes, 1 and 4.8 μm, are used to mimic E. coli singlets and clusters, respectively. Experimental results show that particles migrate toward the channel center in a size-dependent manner, due to the combined effects of inertial and elastic forces; 4.8 and 1 μm particles are found to have lateral equilibrium positions closer to the channel centerline and sidewalls, respectively. The size-dependent separation performance of the microdevice is demonstrated to be affected by three main factors: channel length, the ratio of sheath to sample flow rate, and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) concentration. Further, the separation of E. coli singlets and clusters is achieved at the outlets, and the separation efficiency is evaluated in terms of purity and enrichment factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianlong Zhang
- School of Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.,Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma 630-0192, Japan
| | - Amy K Cain
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Lucie Semenec
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Ling Liu
- School of Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Yoichiroh Hosokawa
- Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma 630-0192, Japan
| | - David W Inglis
- School of Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Yaxiaer Yalikun
- Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma 630-0192, Japan
| | - Ming Li
- School of Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.,Biomolecular Discovery Research Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
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Maremonti MI, Dannhauser D, Panzetta V, Netti PA, Causa F. Cell deformability heterogeneity recognition by unsupervised machine learning from in-flow motion parameters. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:4871-4881. [PMID: 36398860 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00902a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Cell deformability is a well-established marker of cell states for diagnostic purposes. However, the measurement of a wide range of different deformability levels is still challenging, especially in cancer, where a large heterogeneity of rheological/mechanical properties is present. Therefore, a simple, versatile and cost-effective recognition method for variable rheological/mechanical properties of cells is needed. Here, we introduce a new set of in-flow motion parameters capable of identifying heterogeneity among cell deformability, properly modified by the administration of drugs for cytoskeleton destabilization. Firstly, we measured cell deformability by identification of in-flow motions, rolling (R), tumbling (T), swinging (S) and tank-treading (TT), distinctively associated with cell rheological/mechanical properties. Secondly, from a pool of motion and structural cell parameters, an unsupervised machine learning approach based on principal component analysis (PCA) revealed dominant features: the local cell velocity (VCell/VAvg), the equilibrium position (YEq) and the orientation angle variation (Δφ). These motion parameters clearly defined cell clusters in terms of motion regimes corresponding to specific deformability. Such correlation is verified in a wide range of rheological/mechanical properties from the elastic cells moving like R until the almost viscous cells moving as TT. Thus, our approach shows how simple motion parameters allow cell deformability heterogeneity recognition, directly measuring rheological/mechanical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Isabella Maremonti
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB) and Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy.
| | - David Dannhauser
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB) and Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy.
| | - Valeria Panzetta
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB) and Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy.
| | - Paolo Antonio Netti
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB) and Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy.
| | - Filippo Causa
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB) and Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy.
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Liu X, Tang T, Yi PW, Yuan Y, Lei C, Li M, Tanaka Y, Hosokawa Y, Yalikun Y. Identification of Single Yeast Budding Using Impedance Cytometry with a Narrow Electrode Span. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:s22207743. [PMID: 36298094 PMCID: PMC9609181 DOI: 10.3390/s22207743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Impedance cytometry is wildly used in single-cell detection, and its sensitivity is essential for determining the status of single cells. In this work, we focus on the effect of electrode gap on detection sensitivity. Through comparing the electrode span of 1 µm and 5 µm, our work shows that narrowing the electrode span could greatly improve detection sensitivity. The mechanism underlying the sensitivity improvement was analyzed via numerical simulation. The small electrode gap (1 µm) allows the electric field to concentrate near the detection area, resulting in a high sensitivity for tiny particles. This finding is also verified with the mixture suspension of 1 µm and 3 µm polystyrene beads. As a result, the electrodes with 1 µm gap can detect more 1 µm beads in the suspension than electrodes with 5 µm gap. Additionally, for single yeast cells analysis, it is found that impedance cytometry with 1 µm electrodes gap can easily distinguish budding yeast cells, which cannot be realized by the impedance cytometry with 5 µm electrodes gap. All experimental results support that narrowing the electrode gap is necessary for tiny particle detection, which is an important step in the development of submicron and nanoscale impedance cytometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Liu
- Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama-cho, Ikoma 630-0192, Nara, Japan
| | - Tao Tang
- Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama-cho, Ikoma 630-0192, Nara, Japan
| | - Po-Wei Yi
- Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama-cho, Ikoma 630-0192, Nara, Japan
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Yapeng Yuan
- Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), RIKEN, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan
| | - Cheng Lei
- The Institute of Technological Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Ming Li
- School of Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, Australia
| | - Yo Tanaka
- Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), RIKEN, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoichiroh Hosokawa
- Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama-cho, Ikoma 630-0192, Nara, Japan
| | - Yaxiaer Yalikun
- Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama-cho, Ikoma 630-0192, Nara, Japan
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