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Petruzzellis I, Martínez Vázquez R, Caragnano S, Gaudiuso C, Osellame R, Ancona A, Volpe A. Lab-on-Chip Systems for Cell Sorting: Main Features and Advantages of Inertial Focusing in Spiral Microchannels. MICROMACHINES 2024; 15:1135. [PMID: 39337795 PMCID: PMC11434521 DOI: 10.3390/mi15091135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2024] [Revised: 08/30/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024]
Abstract
Inertial focusing-based Lab-on-Chip systems represent a promising technology for cell sorting in various applications, thanks to their alignment with the ASSURED criteria recommended by the World Health Organization: Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-friendly, Rapid and Robust, Equipment-free, and Delivered. Inertial focusing techniques using spiral microchannels offer a rapid, portable, and easy-to-prototype solution for cell sorting. Various microfluidic devices have been investigated in the literature to understand how hydrodynamic forces influence particle focusing in spiral microchannels. This is crucial for the effective prototyping of devices that allow for high-throughput and efficient filtration of particles of different sizes. However, a clear, comprehensive, and organized overview of current research in this area is lacking. This review aims to fill this gap by offering a thorough summary of the existing literature, thereby guiding future experimentation and facilitating the selection of spiral geometries and materials for cell sorting in microchannels. To this end, we begin with a detailed theoretical introduction to the physical mechanisms underlying particle separation in spiral microfluidic channels. We also dedicate a section to the materials and prototyping techniques most commonly used for spiral microchannels, highlighting and discussing their respective advantages and disadvantages. Subsequently, we provide a critical examination of the key details of inertial focusing across various cross-sections (rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular, hybrid) in spiral devices as reported in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Petruzzellis
- Physics Department, Università degli Studi di Bari & Politecnico di Bari, Via Orabona 4, 7016 Bari, Italy; (I.P.); (S.C.); (A.A.)
| | - Rebeca Martínez Vázquez
- Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies (IFN), National Research Council, Piazza L. da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Stefania Caragnano
- Physics Department, Università degli Studi di Bari & Politecnico di Bari, Via Orabona 4, 7016 Bari, Italy; (I.P.); (S.C.); (A.A.)
| | - Caterina Gaudiuso
- Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies (IFN), National Research Council, Via Amendola 173, 70125 Bari, Italy;
| | - Roberto Osellame
- Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies (IFN), National Research Council, Piazza L. da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Antonio Ancona
- Physics Department, Università degli Studi di Bari & Politecnico di Bari, Via Orabona 4, 7016 Bari, Italy; (I.P.); (S.C.); (A.A.)
- Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies (IFN), National Research Council, Via Amendola 173, 70125 Bari, Italy;
| | - Annalisa Volpe
- Physics Department, Università degli Studi di Bari & Politecnico di Bari, Via Orabona 4, 7016 Bari, Italy; (I.P.); (S.C.); (A.A.)
- Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies (IFN), National Research Council, Via Amendola 173, 70125 Bari, Italy;
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Alexandre-Franco MF, Kouider R, Kassir Al-Karany R, Cuerda-Correa EM, Al-Kassir A. Recent Advances in Polymer Science and Fabrication Processes for Enhanced Microfluidic Applications: An Overview. MICROMACHINES 2024; 15:1137. [PMID: 39337797 PMCID: PMC11433824 DOI: 10.3390/mi15091137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2024] [Revised: 09/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024]
Abstract
This review explores significant advancements in polymer science and fabrication processes that have enhanced the performance and broadened the application scope of microfluidic devices. Microfluidics, essential in biotechnology, medicine, and chemical engineering, relies on precise fluid manipulation in micrometer-sized channels. Recent innovations in polymer materials, such as flexible, biocompatible, and structurally robust polymers, have been pivotal in developing advanced microfluidic systems. Techniques like replica molding, microcontact printing, solvent-assisted molding, injection molding, and 3D printing are examined, highlighting their advantages and recent developments. Additionally, the review discusses the diverse applications of polymer-based microfluidic devices in biomedical diagnostics, drug delivery, organ-on-chip models, environmental monitoring, and industrial processes. This paper also addresses future challenges, including enhancing chemical resistance, achieving multifunctionality, ensuring biocompatibility, and scaling up production. By overcoming these challenges, the potential for widespread adoption and impactful use of polymer-based microfluidic technologies can be realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- María F Alexandre-Franco
- Departamento de Química Orgánica e Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Rahmani Kouider
- Department of Technology, Ziane Achour University of Djelfa, Djelfa 17000, Algeria
| | | | - Eduardo M Cuerda-Correa
- Departamento de Química Orgánica e Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Awf Al-Kassir
- School of Industrial Engineers, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
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Alavi SE, Alharthi S, Alavi SF, Alavi SZ, Zahra GE, Raza A, Ebrahimi Shahmabadi H. Microfluidics for personalized drug delivery. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:103936. [PMID: 38428803 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.103936] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
This review highlights the transformative impact of microfluidic technology on personalized drug delivery. Microfluidics addresses issues in traditional drug synthesis, providing precise control and scalability in nanoparticle fabrication, and microfluidic platforms show high potential for versatility, offering patient-specific dosing and real-time monitoring capabilities, all integrated into wearable technology. Covalent conjugation of antibodies to nanoparticles improves bioactivity, driving innovations in drug targeting. The integration of microfluidics with sensor technologies and artificial intelligence facilitates real-time feedback and autonomous adaptation in drug delivery systems. Key challenges, such as droplet polydispersity and fluidic handling, along with future directions focusing on scalability and reliability, are essential considerations in advancing microfluidics for personalized drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Ebrahim Alavi
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4215, Australia.
| | - Sitah Alharthi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Shaqra University, Al-Dawadmi Campus, Al-Dawadmi 11961, Saudi Arabia
| | - Seyedeh Fatemeh Alavi
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, and Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, PR China
| | - Seyed Zeinab Alavi
- Immunology of Infectious Diseases Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan 7718175911, Iran
| | - Gull E Zahra
- Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Aun Raza
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, PR China
| | - Hasan Ebrahimi Shahmabadi
- Immunology of Infectious Diseases Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan 7718175911, Iran.
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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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