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Design and Manufacture of a Low-Cost Microfluidic System for the Synthesis of Giant Liposomes for the Encapsulation of Yeast Homologues: Applications in the Screening of Membrane-Active Peptide Libraries. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:mi12111377. [PMID: 34832789 PMCID: PMC8619280 DOI: 10.3390/mi12111377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of new membrane-active peptides (MAPs) is an area of considerable interest in modern biotechnology considering their ample applicability in several fields ranging from the development of novel delivery vehicles (via cell-penetrating peptides) to responding to the latent threat of antibiotic resistance (via antimicrobial peptides). Different strategies have been devised for such discovery process, however, most of them involve costly, tedious, and low-efficiency methods. We have recently proposed an alternative route based on constructing a non-rationally designed library recombinantly expressed on the yeasts’ surfaces. However, a major challenge is to conduct a robust and high-throughput screening of possible candidates with membrane activity. Here, we addressed this issue by putting forward low-cost microfluidic platforms for both the synthesis of Giant Unilamellar Vesicles (GUVs) as mimicking entities of cell membranes and for providing intimate contact between GUVs and homologues of yeasts expressing MAPs. The homologues were chitosan microparticles functionalized with the membrane translocating peptide Buforin II, while intimate contact was through passive micromixers with different channel geometries. Both microfluidic platforms were evaluated both in silico (via Multiphysics simulations) and in vitro with a high agreement between the two approaches. Large and stable GUVs (5–100 µm) were synthesized effectively, and the mixing processes were comprehensively studied leading to finding the best operating parameters. A serpentine micromixer equipped with circular features showed the highest average encapsulation efficiencies, which was explained by the unique mixing patterns achieved within the device. The microfluidic devices developed here demonstrate high potential as platforms for the discovery of novel MAPs as well as for other applications in the biomedical field such as the encapsulation and controlled delivery of bioactive compounds.
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An R, Huang Y, Man Y, Valentine RW, Kucukal E, Goreke U, Sekyonda Z, Piccone C, Owusu-Ansah A, Ahuja S, Little JA, Gurkan UA. Emerging point-of-care technologies for anemia detection. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:1843-1865. [PMID: 33881041 PMCID: PMC8875318 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc01235a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Anemia, characterized by low blood hemoglobin level, affects about 25% of the world's population with the heaviest burden borne by women and children. Anemia leads to impaired cognitive development in children, as well as high morbidity and early mortality among sufferers. Anemia can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, oncologic treatments and diseases, and infections such as malaria, as well as inherited hemoglobin or red cell disorders. Effective treatments are available for anemia upon early detection and the treatment method is highly dependent on the cause of anemia. There is a need for point-of-care (POC) screening, early diagnosis, and monitoring of anemia, which is currently not widely accessible due to technical challenges and cost, especially in low- and middle-income countries where anemia is most prevalent. This review first introduces the evolution of anemia detection methods followed by their implementation in current commercially available POC anemia diagnostic devices. Then, emerging POC anemia detection technologies leveraging new methods are reviewed. Finally, we highlight the future trends of integrating anemia detection with the diagnosis of relevant underlying disorders to accurately identify specific root causes and to facilitate personalized treatment and care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran An
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave., Glennan Building, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
| | - Yuning Huang
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave., Glennan Building, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
| | - Yuncheng Man
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave., Glennan Building, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
| | - Russell W Valentine
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave., Glennan Building, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
| | - Erdem Kucukal
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave., Glennan Building, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
| | - Utku Goreke
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave., Glennan Building, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
| | - Zoe Sekyonda
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Connie Piccone
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Amma Owusu-Ansah
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Sanjay Ahuja
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jane A Little
- Division of Hematology & UNC Blood Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Umut A Gurkan
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave., Glennan Building, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. and Biomedical Engineering Department, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA and Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Dixit C, Kadimisetty K, Rusling J. 3D-printed miniaturized fluidic tools in chemistry and biology. Trends Analyt Chem 2018; 106:37-52. [PMID: 32296252 PMCID: PMC7158885 DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2018.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
3D printing (3DP), an additive manufacturing (AM) approach allowing for rapid prototyping and decentralized fabrication on-demand, has become a common method for creating parts or whole devices. The wide scope of the AM extends from organized sectors of construction, ornament, medical, and R&D industries to individual explorers attributed to the low cost, high quality printers along with revolutionary tools and polymers. While progress is being made but big manufacturing challenges are still there. Considering the quickly shifting narrative towards miniaturized analytical systems (MAS) we focus on the development/rapid prototyping and manufacturing of MAS with 3DP, and application dependent challenges in engineering designs and choice of the polymeric materials and provide an exhaustive background to the applications of 3DP in biology and chemistry. This will allow readers to perceive the most important features of AM in creating (i) various individual and modular components, and (ii) complete integrated tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- C.K. Dixit
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3060, United States
| | - K. Kadimisetty
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3060, United States
| | - J. Rusling
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3060, United States
- Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3136, United States
- Department of Surgery and Neag Cancer Centre, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, United States
- School of Chemistry, National University of Ireland at Galway, Galway, Ireland
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