1
|
Shi Y, Cui C, Chen S, Chen S, Wang Y, Xu Q, Yang L, Ye J, Hong Z, Hu H. Worm-Based Diagnosis Combining Microfluidics toward Early Cancer Screening. MICROMACHINES 2024; 15:484. [PMID: 38675295 PMCID: PMC11052135 DOI: 10.3390/mi15040484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Early cancer diagnosis increases therapy efficiency and saves huge medical costs. Traditional blood-based cancer markers and endoscopy procedures demonstrate limited capability in the diagnosis. Reliable, non-invasive, and cost-effective methods are in high demand across the world. Worm-based diagnosis, utilizing the chemosensory neuronal system of C. elegans, emerges as a non-invasive approach for early cancer diagnosis with high sensitivity. It facilitates effectiveness in large-scale cancer screening for the foreseeable future. Here, we review the progress of a unique route of early cancer diagnosis based on the chemosensory neuronal system of C. elegans. We first introduce the basic procedures of the chemotaxis assay of C. elegans: synchronization, behavior assay, immobilization, and counting. Then, we review the progress of each procedure and the various cancer types for which this method has achieved early diagnosis. For each procedure, we list examples of microfluidics technologies that have improved the automation, throughput, and efficiency of each step or module. Finally, we envision that microfluidics technologies combined with the chemotaxis assay of C. elegans can lead to an automated, cost-effective, non-invasive early cancer screening technology, with the development of more mature microfluidic modules as well as systematic integration of functional modules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yutao Shi
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China (S.C.); (Q.X.)
| | - Chen Cui
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China (S.C.); (Q.X.)
| | - Shengzhi Chen
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China (S.C.); (Q.X.)
| | - Siyu Chen
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China (S.C.); (Q.X.)
| | - Yiheng Wang
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China (S.C.); (Q.X.)
| | - Qingyang Xu
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China (S.C.); (Q.X.)
| | - Lan Yang
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China (S.C.); (Q.X.)
| | - Jiayi Ye
- Zhejiang University-University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Institute (ZJU-UIUC Institute), International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China
| | - Zhi Hong
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China (S.C.); (Q.X.)
| | - Huan Hu
- Zhejiang University-University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Institute (ZJU-UIUC Institute), International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Qing LS, Wang TT, Luo HY, Du JL, Wang RY, Luo P. Microfluidic strategies for natural products in drug discovery: Current status and future perspectives. Trends Analyt Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2022.116832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
3
|
Valle NME, Nucci MP, Alves AH, Rodrigues LD, Mamani JB, Oliveira FA, Lopes CS, Lopes AT, Carreño MNP, Gamarra LF. Advances in Concentration Gradient Generation Approaches in a Microfluidic Device for Toxicity Analysis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11193101. [PMID: 36231063 PMCID: PMC9563958 DOI: 10.3390/cells11193101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This systematic review aimed to analyze the development and functionality of microfluidic concentration gradient generators (CGGs) for toxicological evaluation of different biological organisms. We searched articles using the keywords: concentration gradient generator, toxicity, and microfluidic device. Only 33 of the 352 articles found were included and examined regarding the fabrication of the microdevices, the characteristics of the CGG, the biological model, and the desired results. The main fabrication method was soft lithography, using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) material (91%) and SU-8 as the mold (58.3%). New technologies were applied to minimize shear and bubble problems, reduce costs, and accelerate prototyping. The Christmas tree CGG design and its variations were the most reported in the studies, as well as the convective method of generation (61%). Biological models included bacteria and nematodes for antibiotic screening, microalgae for pollutant toxicity, tumor and normal cells for, primarily, chemotherapy screening, and Zebrafish embryos for drug and metal developmental toxicity. The toxic effects of each concentration generated were evaluated mostly with imaging and microscopy techniques. This study showed an advantage of CGGs over other techniques and their applicability for several biological models. Even with soft lithography, PDMS, and Christmas tree being more popular in their respective categories, current studies aim to apply new technologies and intricate architectures to improve testing effectiveness and reduce common microfluidics problems, allowing for high applicability of toxicity tests in different medical and environmental models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M. E. Valle
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo 05652-000, Brazil
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, São Paulo 01303-050, Brazil
| | - Mariana P. Nucci
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo 05652-000, Brazil
- LIM44—Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Caique S. Lopes
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, São Paulo 01303-050, Brazil
| | - Alexandre T. Lopes
- Departamento de Engenharia de Sistema Eletrônicos, Escola Politécnica, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-010, Brazil
| | - Marcelo N. P. Carreño
- Departamento de Engenharia de Sistema Eletrônicos, Escola Politécnica, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-010, Brazil
| | - Lionel F. Gamarra
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo 05652-000, Brazil
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, São Paulo 01303-050, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-11-2151-0243
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cao J, Chande C, Köhler JM. Microtoxicology by microfluidic instrumentation: a review. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:2600-2623. [PMID: 35678285 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00268j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microtoxicology is concerned with the toxic effects of small amounts of substances. This review paper discusses the application of small amounts of noxious substances for toxicological investigation in small volumes. The vigorous development of miniaturized methods in microfluidics over the last two decades involves chip-based devices, micro droplet-based procedures, and the use of micro-segmented flow for microtoxicological studies. The studies have shown that the microfluidic approach is particularly valuable for highly parallelized and combinatorial dose-response screenings. Accurate dosing and mixing of effector substances in large numbers of microcompartments supplies detailed data of dose-response functions by highly concentration-resolved assays and allows evaluation of stochastic responses in case of small separated cell ensembles and single cell experiments. The investigations demonstrate that very different biological targets can be studied using miniaturized approaches, among them bacteria, eukaryotic microorganisms, cell cultures from tissues of multicellular organisms, stem cells, and early embryonic states. Cultivation and effector exposure tests can be performed in small volumes over weeks and months, confirming that the microfluicial strategy is also applicable for slow-growing organisms. Here, the state of the art of miniaturized toxicology, particularly for studying antibiotic susceptibility, drug toxicity testing in the miniaturized system like organ-on-chip, environmental toxicology, and the characterization of combinatorial effects by two and multi-dimensional screenings, is discussed. Additionally, this review points out the practical limitations of the microtoxicology platform and discusses perspectives on future opportunities and challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jialan Cao
- Techn. Univ. Ilmenau, Dept. Phys. Chem. and Microreaction Technology, Institute for Micro- und Nanotechnologies/Institute for Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ilmenau, Germany.
| | - Charmi Chande
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, USA
| | - J Michael Köhler
- Techn. Univ. Ilmenau, Dept. Phys. Chem. and Microreaction Technology, Institute for Micro- und Nanotechnologies/Institute for Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ilmenau, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhang X, Sun J, Yuan X, Lu X, Sun X. Advances in C. elegans behavior research with microfluidic devices and its future prospects in the evaluation of exogenous pollutants. Trends Analyt Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2021.116195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
|
6
|
Zhang B, Zhuang L, Sun D, Li Y, Chen Z. An integrated microfluidics for assessing the anti-aging effect of caffeic acid phenethylester in Caenorhabditis elegans. Electrophoresis 2020; 42:742-748. [PMID: 33184875 DOI: 10.1002/elps.202000251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Aging is a fundamental and fascinating process. Anti-aging research tried to find the mysteries about the human lifespan. To investigate the longevity-extending role of caffeic acid phenethylester (CAPE) and reveal the possible regulation mechanism, the long-term cultivation under well-defined environments, real-time monitoring, and live imaging is highly desired. In this paper, a well-designed microfluidic device was proposed to analyze the anti-aging effect of CAPE in Caenorhabditis elegans. With the combined use of multiple functional units, including micro-pillar, worm responder, a branching network of distribution channels, and microchambers, the longitudinal measurements of the exact number of worms throughout the whole lifespans is possible. Meanwhile, the brief cooling function of temperature-controllable system can achieve temporary and repeated immobilization of nematodes for fluorescence imaging. Our research data showed that CAPE can increase the survival of worms under normal and stress condition, including heat stress and paraquat-induced oxidative stress. The further studies revealed the anti-aging mechanism of CAPE. This proposed strategy and device would be a useful platform to facilitate future anti-aging studies and the finding of new lead compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Liping Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Duanping Sun
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,New Drug Research and Development Center, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yinbao Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, P. R. China
| | - Zuanguang Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Midkiff D, San-Miguel A. Microfluidic Technologies for High Throughput Screening Through Sorting and On-Chip Culture of C. elegans. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24234292. [PMID: 31775328 PMCID: PMC6930626 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24234292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a powerful model organism that has been widely used to study molecular biology, cell development, neurobiology, and aging. Despite their use for the past several decades, the conventional techniques for growth, imaging, and behavioral analysis of C. elegans can be cumbersome, and acquiring large data sets in a high-throughput manner can be challenging. Developments in microfluidic “lab-on-a-chip” technologies have improved studies of C. elegans by increasing experimental control and throughput. Microfluidic features such as on-chip control layers, immobilization channels, and chamber arrays have been incorporated to develop increasingly complex platforms that make experimental techniques more powerful. Genetic and chemical screens are performed on C. elegans to determine gene function and phenotypic outcomes of perturbations, to test the effect that chemicals have on health and behavior, and to find drug candidates. In this review, we will discuss microfluidic technologies that have been used to increase the throughput of genetic and chemical screens in C. elegans. We will discuss screens for neurobiology, aging, development, behavior, and many other biological processes. We will also discuss robotic technologies that assist in microfluidic screens, as well as alternate platforms that perform functions similar to microfluidics.
Collapse
|
8
|
Huang SH, Lin YW. Bioenergetic Health Assessment of a Single Caenorhabditis elegans from Postembryonic Development to Aging Stages via Monitoring Changes in the Oxygen Consumption Rate within a Microfluidic Device. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2018; 18:E2453. [PMID: 30060586 PMCID: PMC6111518 DOI: 10.3390/s18082453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Monitoring dynamic changes in oxygen consumption rates (OCR) of a living organism in real time provide an indirect method of monitoring changes in mitochondrial function during development, aging, or malfunctioning processes. In this study, we developed a microfluidic device integrated with an optical detection system to measure the OCR of a single developing Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) from postembryonic development to aging stages in real time via phase-based phosphorescence lifetime measurement. The device consists of two components: an acrylic microwell deposited with an oxygen-sensitive luminescent layer for oxygen (O₂) measurement and a microfluidic module with a pneumatically driven acrylic lid to controllably seal the microwell. We successfully measured the basal respiration (basal OCR, in pmol O₂/min/worm) of a single C. elegans inside a microwell from the stages of postembryonic development (larval stages) through adulthood to aged adult. Sequentially adding metabolic inhibitors to block bioenergetic pathways allowed us to measure the metabolic profiles of a single C. elegans at key growth and aging stages, determining the following fundamental parameters: basal OCR, adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-linked OCR, maximal OCR, reserve respiratory capacity, OCR due to proton leak, and non-mitochondrial OCR. The bioenergetic health index (BHI) was calculated from these fundamental parameters to assess the bioenergetic health of a single developing C. elegans from the postembryonic development to aging stages. The changes in BHI are correlated to C. elegans development stage, with the highest BHI = 27.5 for 4-day-old adults, which possess well-developed bioenergetic functionality. Our proposed platform demonstrates for the first time the feasibility of assessing the BHI of a single C. elegans from postembryonic development to aging stages inside a microfluidic device and provides the potential for a wide variety of biomedical applications that relate mitochondrial malfunction and diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Hao Huang
- Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 202-24, Taiwan.
| | - Yu-Wei Lin
- Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 202-24, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Modena MM, Chawla K, Misun PM, Hierlemann A. Smart Cell Culture Systems: Integration of Sensors and Actuators into Microphysiological Systems. ACS Chem Biol 2018; 13:1767-1784. [PMID: 29381325 PMCID: PMC5959007 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.7b01029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Technological advances in microfabrication techniques in combination with organotypic cell and tissue models have enabled the realization of microphysiological systems capable of recapitulating aspects of human physiology in vitro with great fidelity. Concurrently, a number of analysis techniques has been developed to probe and characterize these model systems. However, many assays are still performed off-line, which severely compromises the possibility of obtaining real-time information from the samples under examination, and which also limits the use of these platforms in high-throughput analysis. In this review, we focus on sensing and actuation schemes that have already been established or offer great potential to provide in situ detection or manipulation of relevant cell or tissue samples in microphysiological platforms. We will first describe methods that can be integrated in a straightforward way and that offer potential multiplexing and/or parallelization of sensing and actuation functions. These methods include electrical impedance spectroscopy, electrochemical biosensors, and the use of surface acoustic waves for manipulation and analysis of cells, tissue, and multicellular organisms. In the second part, we will describe two sensor approaches based on surface-plasmon resonance and mechanical resonators that have recently provided new characterization features for biological samples, although technological limitations for use in high-throughput applications still exist.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario M. Modena
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering,
Bio Engineering Laboratory, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ketki Chawla
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering,
Bio Engineering Laboratory, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Patrick M. Misun
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering,
Bio Engineering Laboratory, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Hierlemann
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering,
Bio Engineering Laboratory, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Campana O, Wlodkowic D. Ecotoxicology Goes on a Chip: Embracing Miniaturized Bioanalysis in Aquatic Risk Assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:932-946. [PMID: 29284083 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b03370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Biological and environmental sciences are, more than ever, becoming highly dependent on technological and multidisciplinary approaches that warrant advanced analytical capabilities. Microfluidic lab-on-a-chip technologies are perhaps one the most groundbreaking offshoots of bioengineering, enabling design of an entirely new generation of bioanalytical instrumentation. They represent a unique approach to combine microscale engineering and physics with specific biological questions, providing technological advances that allow for fundamentally new capabilities in the spatiotemporal analysis of molecules, cells, tissues, and even small metazoan organisms. While these miniaturized analytical technologies experience an explosive growth worldwide, with a substantial promise of a direct impact on biosciences, it seems that lab-on-a-chip systems have so far escaped the attention of aquatic ecotoxicologists. In this Critical Review, potential applications of the currently existing and emerging chip-based technologies for aquatic ecotoxicology and water quality monitoring are highlighted. We also offer suggestions on how aquatic ecotoxicology can benefit from adoption of microfluidic lab-on-a-chip devices for accelerated bioanalysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Campana
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía, CSIC , Puerto Real, 11519, Spain
| | - Donald Wlodkowic
- School of Science, RMIT University , Melbourne, Victoria 3083, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bailey DC, Todt CE, Burchfield SL, Pressley AS, Denney RD, Snapp IB, Negga R, Traynor WL, Fitsanakis VA. Chronic exposure to a glyphosate-containing pesticide leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and increased reactive oxygen species production in Caenorhabditis elegans. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2018; 57:46-52. [PMID: 29190595 PMCID: PMC5803312 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Glyphosate-containing herbicides are among the most widely-used in the world. Although glyphosate itself is relatively non-toxic, growing evidence suggests that commercial herbicide formulations may lead to increased oxidative stress and mitochondrial inhibition. In order to assess these mechanisms in vivo, we chronically (24h) exposed Caenorhabditis elegans to various concentrations of the glyphosate-containing herbicide TouchDown (TD). Following TD exposure, we evaluated the function of specific mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes. Initial oxygen consumption studies demonstrated inhibition in mid- and high-TD concentration treatment groups compared to controls. Results from tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester and ATP assays indicated reductions in the proton gradient and ATP levels, respectively. Additional studies were designed to determine whether TD exposure resulted in increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Data from hydrogen peroxide, but not superoxide or hydroxyl radical, assays showed statistically significant increases in this specific ROS. Taken together, these data indicate that exposure of Caenorhabditis elegans to TD leads to mitochondrial inhibition and hydrogen peroxide production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denise C Bailey
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
| | - Callie E Todt
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
| | - Shelbie L Burchfield
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
| | - Aireal S Pressley
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
| | - Rachel D Denney
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
| | - Isaac B Snapp
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
| | - Rekek Negga
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
| | - Wendy L Traynor
- King University, Department of Mathematics and Physics, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
| | - Vanessa A Fitsanakis
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Miniaturized Sensors and Actuators for Biological Studies on Small Model Organisms of Disease. ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT, AND SUSTAINABILITY 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-7751-7_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
|
13
|
Cornaglia M, Lehnert T, Gijs MAM. Microfluidic systems for high-throughput and high-content screening using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. LAB ON A CHIP 2017; 17:3736-3759. [PMID: 28840220 DOI: 10.1039/c7lc00509a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In a typical high-throughput drug screening (HTS) process, up to millions of chemical compounds are applied to cells cultured in well plates, aiming to find molecules that exhibit a robust dose-response, as evidenced for example by a fluorescence signal. In high-content screening (HCS), one goes a step further by linking the tested compounds to phenotypic information, obtained, for instance, from microscopic cell images, thereby creating richer data sets that also require more advanced analysis methods. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans came into the screening picture due to the wide availability of its mutants and human disease models, its relatively easy culture and short life cycle. Being a whole-organism model, it allows drug testing under physiological conditions at multi-tissue levels and provides additional observable phenotypes with respect to cell models, related, for instance, to development, aging, behavior or motility. Worm-based HTS studies in liquid environments on microwell plates have been demonstrated, while microfluidic devices allowed surpassing the performance of plates by enabling more versatile and accurate assays, precise and dynamic dosing of compounds, and readouts down to single-animal resolution. In this review, we discuss microfluidic devices for C. elegans analysis and related studies, published in the period from 2012 to 2017. After an introduction to the different screening approaches, we first focus on microfluidic systems with potential for screening applications. Various enabling technologies, e.g. electrophysiological on-chip recordings or laser axotomy, have been implemented, as well as techniques for reversible worm immobilization and high-resolution imaging, combined with algorithms for automated experimentation and analysis. Several devices for developmental or behavioral assays, and worm sorting based on different phenotypes, have been proposed too. In a subsequent section, we review the application of microfluidic-based systems for medium- and high-throughput screens, including neurobiology and neurodegeneration studies, aging and developmental assays, toxicity and pathogenesis screens, as well as behavioral and motility assays. A thorough analysis of this work reveals a trend towards microfluidic systems more and more capable of offering high-quality analyses of large worm populations, based on multi-phenotypic and/or longitudinal readouts, with clear potential for their application in larger HTS/HCS contexts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Cornaglia
- Laboratory of Microsystems, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, CH-1015, Switzerland.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Muthaiyan Shanmugam M, Subhra Santra T. Microfluidic Devices in Advanced Caenorhabditis elegans Research. Molecules 2016; 21:molecules21081006. [PMID: 27490525 PMCID: PMC6273278 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21081006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The study of model organisms is very important in view of their potential for application to human therapeutic uses. One such model organism is the nematode worm, Caenorhabditis elegans. As a nematode, C. elegans have ~65% similarity with human disease genes and, therefore, studies on C. elegans can be translated to human, as well as, C. elegans can be used in the study of different types of parasitic worms that infect other living organisms. In the past decade, many efforts have been undertaken to establish interdisciplinary research collaborations between biologists, physicists and engineers in order to develop microfluidic devices to study the biology of C. elegans. Microfluidic devices with the power to manipulate and detect bio-samples, regents or biomolecules in micro-scale environments can well fulfill the requirement to handle worms under proper laboratory conditions, thereby significantly increasing research productivity and knowledge. The recent development of different kinds of microfluidic devices with ultra-high throughput platforms has enabled researchers to carry out worm population studies. Microfluidic devices primarily comprises of chambers, channels and valves, wherein worms can be cultured, immobilized, imaged, etc. Microfluidic devices have been adapted to study various worm behaviors, including that deepen our understanding of neuromuscular connectivity and functions. This review will provide a clear account of the vital involvement of microfluidic devices in worm biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muniesh Muthaiyan Shanmugam
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan.
| | - Tuhin Subhra Santra
- Department of Engineering Design, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600 036, India.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Gupta BP, Rezai P. Microfluidic Approaches for Manipulating, Imaging, and Screening C. elegans. MICROMACHINES 2016; 7:E123. [PMID: 30404296 PMCID: PMC6190076 DOI: 10.3390/mi7070123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Revised: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The nematode C. elegans (worm) is a small invertebrate animal widely used in studies related to fundamental biological processes, disease modelling, and drug discovery. Due to their small size and transparent body, these worms are highly suitable for experimental manipulations. In recent years several microfluidic devices and platforms have been developed to accelerate worm handling, phenotypic studies and screens. Here we review major tools and briefly discuss their usage in C. elegans research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bhagwati P Gupta
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada.
| | - Pouya Rezai
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Yang F, Gao C, Wang P, Zhang GJ, Chen Z. Fish-on-a-chip: microfluidics for zebrafish research. LAB ON A CHIP 2016; 16:1106-25. [PMID: 26923141 DOI: 10.1039/c6lc00044d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
High-efficiency zebrafish (embryo) handling platforms are crucially needed to facilitate the deciphering of the increasingly expanding vertebrate-organism model values. However, the manipulation platforms for zebrafish are scarce and rely mainly on the conventional "static" microtiter plates or glass slides with rigid gel, which limits the dynamic, three-dimensional (3D), tissue/organ-oriented information acquisition from the intact larva with normal developmental dynamics. In addition, these routine platforms are not amenable to high-throughput handling of such swimming multicellular biological entities at the single-organism level and incapable of precisely controlling the growth microenvironment by delivering stimuli in a well-defined spatiotemporal fashion. Recently, microfluidics has been developed to address these technical challenges via tailor-engineered microscale structures or structured arrays, which integrate with or interface to functional components (e.g. imaging systems), allowing quantitative readouts of small objects (zebrafish larvae and embryos) under normal physiological conditions. Here, we critically review the recent progress on zebrafish manipulation, imaging and phenotype readouts of external stimuli using these microfluidic tools and discuss the challenges that confront these promising "fish-on-a-chip" technologies. We also provide an outlook on future potential trends in this field by combining with bionanoprobes and biosensors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fan Yang
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, 1 Huangjia Lake West Road, Wuhan 430065, China.
| | - Chuan Gao
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, 1 Huangjia Lake West Road, Wuhan 430065, China.
| | - Ping Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, 1 Huangjia Lake West Road, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Guo-Jun Zhang
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, 1 Huangjia Lake West Road, Wuhan 430065, China.
| | - Zuanguang Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
HE QD, HUANG DP, HUANG G, CHEN ZG. Advance in Research of Microfluidic Polymerase Chain Reaction Chip. CHINESE JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/s1872-2040(16)60921-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
18
|
Li Y, Yang X, Chen Z, Zhang B, Pan J, Li X, Yang F, Sun D. Comparative toxicity of lead (Pb(2+)), copper (Cu(2+)), and mixtures of lead and copper to zebrafish embryos on a microfluidic chip. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2015; 9:024105. [PMID: 25825620 PMCID: PMC4368587 DOI: 10.1063/1.4913699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Investigations were conducted to determine acute effects of Pb(2+) and Cu(2+) presented individually and collectively on zebrafish embryos. Aquatic safety testing requires a cheap, fast, and highly efficient platform for real-time evaluation of single and mixture of metal toxicity. In this study, we have developed a microfluidic system for phenotype-based evaluation of toxic effects of Pb(2+) and Cu(2+) using zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. The microfluidic chip is composed of a disc-shaped concentration gradient generator and 24 culture chambers, which can generate one blank solution, seven mixture concentrations, and eight single concentrations for each metal solution, thus enabling the assessment of zebrafish embryos. To test the accuracy of this new chip platform, we have examined the toxicity and teratogenicity of Pb(2+) and Cu(2+) on embryos. The individual and combined impact of Pb(2+) and Cu(2+) on zebrafish embryonic development was quantitatively assessed by recording a series of physiological indicators, such as spontaneous motion at 22 hours post fertilization (hpf), mortality at 24 hpf, heartbeat and body length at 96 hpf, etc. It was found that Pb(2+) or Cu(2+) could induce deformity and cardiovascular toxicity in zebrafish embryos and the mixture could induce more severe toxicity. This chip is a multiplexed testing apparatus that allows for the examination of toxicity and teratogenicity for substances and it also can be used as a potentially cost-effective and rapid aquatic safety assessment tool.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Xiujuan Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University , Guangzhou 510282, China
| | - Zuanguang Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Beibei Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jianbin Pan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xinchun Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University , Nanning 530021, China
| | - Fan Yang
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine , Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Duanping Sun
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou 510006, China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Zhang B, Li Y, He Q, Qin J, Yu Y, Li X, Zhang L, Yao M, Liu J, Chen Z. Microfluidic platform integrated with worm-counting setup for assessing manganese toxicity. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2014; 8:054110. [PMID: 25538805 PMCID: PMC4222280 DOI: 10.1063/1.4896663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
We reported a new microfluidic system integrated with worm responders for evaluating the environmental manganese toxicity. The micro device consists of worm loading units, worm observing chambers, and a radial concentration gradient generator (CGG). Eight T-shape worm loading units of the micro device were used to load the exact number of worms into the corresponding eight chambers with the assistance of worm responders and doorsills. The worm responder, as a key component, was employed for performing automated worm-counting assay through electric impedance sensing. This label-free and non-invasive worm-counting technique was applied to the microsystem for the first time. In addition, the disk-shaped CGG can generate a range of stepwise concentrations of the appointed chemical automatically and simultaneously. Due to the scalable architecture of radial CGG, it has the potential to increase the throughput of the assay. Dopaminergic (DAergic) neurotoxicity of manganese on C. elegans was quantitatively assessed via the observation of green fluorescence protein-tagged DAergic neurons of the strain BZ555 on-chip. In addition, oxidative stress triggered by manganese was evaluated by the quantitative fluorescence intensity of the strain CL2166. By scoring the survival ratio and stroke frequency of worms, we characterized the dose- and time-dependent mobility defects of the manganese-exposed worms. Furthermore, we applied the microsystem to investigate the effect of natural antioxidants to protect manganese-induced toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Yinbao Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gannan Medical University , Ganzhou, JiangXi 341000, China
| | - Qidi He
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Jun Qin
- Key Laboratory for Precision and Non-traditional Machining Technology of Ministry of Education, Dalian University of Technology , Dalian, Liaoning 116023, China
| | - Yanyan Yu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Xinchun Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University , Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Meicun Yao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Junshan Liu
- Key Laboratory for Precision and Non-traditional Machining Technology of Ministry of Education, Dalian University of Technology , Dalian, Liaoning 116023, China
| | - Zuanguang Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| |
Collapse
|