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Achleitner L, Winter M, Satzer P. 3D printed autoclavable biocompatible biodegradable bioreactor vessels with integrated sparger made from poly-lactic acid. J Biotechnol 2024; 391:33-39. [PMID: 38838744 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2024.06.001] [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: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
3D printing has become widespread for the manufacture of parts in various industries and enabled radically new designs. This trend has not spread to bioprocess development yet, due to a lack of material suitable for the current workflow, including sterilization by autoclaving. This work demonstrates that commercially available heat temperature stable poly-lactic acid (PLA) can be used to easily manufacture novel bioreactor vessels with included features like harvest tubes and 3D printed spargers. Temperature responsiveness was tested for PLA, temperature stable PLA (PLA-HP) and glass for temperatures relevant for insect and mammalian cell culture, including temperature shifts within the process. Stability at 27 °C and 37 °C as well as temperature shifts to 22 °C and 32 °C showed acceptable performance with slightly higher temperature overshoot for 3D printed vessels. A stable temperature is reached after 2 h for PLA, 3 h for PLA-HP and 1 h for glass reactors. Temperature can be maintained with a fluctuation of 0.1 °C for all materials. A 3D printed sparger design directly integrated into the vessel wall and bottom was tested under three different conditions (0.3 SLPH and 27 °C, 3 SLPH and 37 °C and 13 SLPH and 37 °C). The 3D printed sparger showed a better kLa than the L-Sparger with more pronounced differences for higher flowrates. An insect cell culture run in the novel vessel exhibited the same growth behavior as that in standard glass vessels, reaching the same maximum cell concentration. Being 3D printed from biodegradable materials, these bioreactors offer design flexibility for novel bioreactor formats. Additionally, their autoclavability allows seamless integration into standard workflows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Achleitner
- acib - Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Muthgasse 11, Vienna 1190, Austria; Institute of Bioprocess Science and Engineering, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Muthgasse 18, Vienna 1190, Austria
| | - Martina Winter
- Institute of Bioprocess Science and Engineering, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Muthgasse 18, Vienna 1190, Austria
| | - Peter Satzer
- acib - Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Muthgasse 11, Vienna 1190, Austria.
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2
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Kohaar I, Hodges NA, Srivastava S. Biomarkers in Cancer Screening: Promises and Challenges in Cancer Early Detection. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2024; 38:869-888. [PMID: 38782647 PMCID: PMC11222039 DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2024.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Cancer continues to be one the leading causes of death worldwide, primarily due to the late detection of the disease. Cancers detected at early stages may enable more effective intervention of the disease. However, most cancers lack well-established screening procedures except for cancers with an established early asymptomatic phase and clinically validated screening tests. There is a critical need to identify and develop assays/tools in conjunction with imaging approaches for precise screening and detection of the aggressive disease at an early stage. New developments in molecular cancer screening and early detection include germline testing, synthetic biomarkers, and liquid biopsy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indu Kohaar
- Cancer Biomarkers Research Group, Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, NIH, 9609 Medical Center Drive, NCI Shady Grove Building, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Nicholas A Hodges
- Cancer Biomarkers Research Group, Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, NIH, 9609 Medical Center Drive, NCI Shady Grove Building, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Sudhir Srivastava
- Cancer Biomarkers Research Group, Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, NIH, 9609 Medical Center Drive, NCI Shady Grove Building, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
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3
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Sheeraz AS, Aiswarya E, Kumara BN, Sonia J, Rodrigues RV, Sheikh N, Vidyasagar S, Kunder RA, Elangovan S, Mohanty PS, Prasad KS. Additive-manufactured paper-PMMA hybrid microfluidic chip for simultaneous monitoring of creatinine and pH in artificial urine. Analyst 2024. [PMID: 38973472 DOI: 10.1039/d4an00796d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Nowadays, kidney dysfunction is a common health issue due to the modernized lifestyle. Even though medications are commercially available to treat kidney diseases, early diagnosis is crucial and challenging. Clinically, measuring urine creatinine and pH has gained significant interest as a way to diagnose kidney diseases early. In the present work, we attempted to develop a low-cost, robust, accurate and naked-eye colorimetric method to determine both creatinine levels and pH variations in artificial urine samples using a simple 3D-printed hybrid microfluidic device. Creatinine was detected by the incorporation of the traditional Jaffe test onto the hybrid paper-PMMA microfluidic device and pH (4-8) was measured by a simple anthocyanin test. Notably, the tests were established without employing any sophisticated or costly instrument clusters. The developed 3D-printed microfluidic probe showed a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.04 mM for creatinine over a concentration range of 1-10 mM, with a regression coefficient (R2) of 0.995 in laboratory conditions. Interestingly, the experimental data obtained with artificial urine exhibited a wide linear range from 0.1 mM to 5 mM under different pH values ranging from 4 to 8 in the presence of matrices commonly found in urine samples other than proteins, indicating the potential use of this method in pre-clinical analysis. Since the wide linear range of urine creatinine in artificial urine samples falls well below the clinically relevant concentrations in humans (0.07-0.27 mM), the developed lab-on-chip device is further suitable for clinical evaluation with proper ethical clearance. This 3D-printed hybrid microfluidic colorimetry-based creatinine detection and pH indicator platform can be beneficial in the healthcare sector due to the on-site testing capability, cost-effectiveness, ease of use, robustness, and instrument-free approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asim Syed Sheeraz
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
| | - Edoth Aiswarya
- Nanomaterial research laboratory (NMRL), Nano Division, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Deralakatte, Mangalore 575 018, India.
| | - B N Kumara
- Nanomaterial research laboratory (NMRL), Nano Division, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Deralakatte, Mangalore 575 018, India.
| | - J Sonia
- Nanomaterial research laboratory (NMRL), Nano Division, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Deralakatte, Mangalore 575 018, India.
| | - Relisha Viyona Rodrigues
- Nanomaterial research laboratory (NMRL), Nano Division, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Deralakatte, Mangalore 575 018, India.
| | - Nazmin Sheikh
- Nanomaterial research laboratory (NMRL), Nano Division, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Deralakatte, Mangalore 575 018, India.
| | - Sachin Vidyasagar
- Nanomaterial research laboratory (NMRL), Nano Division, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Deralakatte, Mangalore 575 018, India.
| | - Rachana A Kunder
- Nanomaterial research laboratory (NMRL), Nano Division, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Deralakatte, Mangalore 575 018, India.
| | - Selvakumar Elangovan
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
| | - Priti Sundar Mohanty
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
| | - K Sudhakara Prasad
- Nanomaterial research laboratory (NMRL), Nano Division, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Deralakatte, Mangalore 575 018, India.
- Centre for Nutrition Studies, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Deralakatte, Mangalore 575018, India
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4
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Sharkey C, White R, Finocchiaro M, Thomas J, Estevam J, Konry T. Advancing Point-of-Care Applications with Droplet Microfluidics: From Single-Cell to Multicellular Analysis. Annu Rev Biomed Eng 2024; 26:119-139. [PMID: 38316063 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-bioeng-110222-102142] [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] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Recent advances in single-cell and multicellular microfluidics technology have provided powerful tools for studying cancer biology and immunology. The ability to create controlled microenvironments, perform high-throughput screenings, and monitor cellular interactions at the single-cell level has significantly advanced our understanding of tumor biology and immune responses. We discuss cutting-edge multicellular and single-cell microfluidic technologies and methodologies utilized to investigate cancer-immune cell interactions and assess the effectiveness of immunotherapies. We explore the advantages and limitations of the wide range of 3D spheroid and single-cell microfluidic models recently developed, highlighting the various approaches in device generation and applications in immunotherapy screening for potential opportunities for point-of-care approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Sharkey
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rachel White
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
| | - Michael Finocchiaro
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
| | - Judene Thomas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jose Estevam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
| | - Tania Konry
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
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5
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Wang Z, Zhou X, Kong Q, He H, Sun J, Qiu W, Zhang L, Yang M. Extracellular Vesicle Preparation and Analysis: A State-of-the-Art Review. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2401069. [PMID: 38874129 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202401069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
In recent decades, research on Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) has gained prominence in the life sciences due to their critical roles in both health and disease states, offering promising applications in disease diagnosis, drug delivery, and therapy. However, their inherent heterogeneity and complex origins pose significant challenges to their preparation, analysis, and subsequent clinical application. This review is structured to provide an overview of the biogenesis, composition, and various sources of EVs, thereby laying the groundwork for a detailed discussion of contemporary techniques for their preparation and analysis. Particular focus is given to state-of-the-art technologies that employ both microfluidic and non-microfluidic platforms for EV processing. Furthermore, this discourse extends into innovative approaches that incorporate artificial intelligence and cutting-edge electrochemical sensors, with a particular emphasis on single EV analysis. This review proposes current challenges and outlines prospective avenues for future research. The objective is to motivate researchers to innovate and expand methods for the preparation and analysis of EVs, fully unlocking their biomedical potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zesheng Wang
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, P. R. China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518057, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhou
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, P. R. China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518057, P. R. China
| | - Qinglong Kong
- The Second Department of Thoracic Surgery, Dalian Municipal Central Hospital, Dalian, 116033, P. R. China
| | - Huimin He
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, P. R. China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518057, P. R. China
| | - Jiayu Sun
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, P. R. China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Wenting Qiu
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, P. R. China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Liang Zhang
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, P. R. China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518057, P. R. China
| | - Mengsu Yang
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, P. R. China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518057, P. R. China
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6
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Li X, Wang M, Davis TP, Zhang L, Qiao R. Advancing Tissue Culture with Light-Driven 3D-Printed Microfluidic Devices. BIOSENSORS 2024; 14:301. [PMID: 38920605 PMCID: PMC11201418 DOI: 10.3390/bios14060301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) printing presents a compelling alternative for fabricating microfluidic devices, circumventing certain limitations associated with traditional soft lithography methods. Microfluidics play a crucial role in the biomedical sciences, particularly in the creation of tissue spheroids and pharmaceutical research. Among the various 3D printing techniques, light-driven methods such as stereolithography (SLA), digital light processing (DLP), and photopolymer inkjet printing have gained prominence in microfluidics due to their rapid prototyping capabilities, high-resolution printing, and low processing temperatures. This review offers a comprehensive overview of light-driven 3D printing techniques used in the fabrication of advanced microfluidic devices. It explores biomedical applications for 3D-printed microfluidics and provides insights into their potential impact and functionality within the biomedical field. We further summarize three light-driven 3D printing strategies for producing biomedical microfluidic systems: direct construction of microfluidic devices for cell culture, PDMS-based microfluidic devices for tissue engineering, and a modular SLA-printed microfluidic chip to co-culture and monitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Liwen Zhang
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Ruirui Qiao
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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7
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Doronin F, Savel’ev M, Rytikov G, Evdokimov A, Nazarov V. A New Approach to Carbon Nanotube Filament Nanostructuring for Additive Manufacturing. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1423. [PMID: 38794615 PMCID: PMC11125428 DOI: 10.3390/polym16101423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
A new technique of additive prototyping filament volumetric nanostructuring based on the high-speed mechanical mixing of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymer granules and single-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) powder (without prior dispersion in solvents) is considered. The morphological spectra of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of nanostructured filament slice surfaces were obtained and characterized with the original mathematical simulation. The relations of structural changes in the "ingredient-matrix" polymer system with dielectric and mechanical properties of the ABS-based filaments were established. The supplementation of 1.5 mass.% of CNT powder to the ABS filament composition leads to the tensile strength increasing from 36 ± 2 to 42 ± 2 MPa. It is shown that the greater the average biharmonic amplitude and the morphological spectrum localization radius of the slice surfaces' SEM images, the lower the electrical resistance of the corresponding nanostructured filaments. The possibility of carbon nanotube-modified filament functional layers forming using the extrusion additive prototyping technique (FFF) on the surface of plasma-chemically modified PET substrates (for the creation of load cell elements) is experimentally demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fedor Doronin
- Faculty of Printing Industry, Moscow Polytechnic University, 107023 Moscow, Russia (V.N.)
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8
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Smith S, Sypabekova M, Kim S. Double-Sided Tape in Microfluidics: A Cost-Effective Method in Device Fabrication. BIOSENSORS 2024; 14:249. [PMID: 38785723 PMCID: PMC11118809 DOI: 10.3390/bios14050249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The demand for easy-to-use, affordable, accessible, and reliable technology is increasing in biological, chemical, and medical research. Microfluidic devices have the potential to meet these standards by offering cost-effective, highly sensitive, and highly specific diagnostic tests with rapid performance and minimal sample volumes. Traditional microfluidic device fabrication methods, such as photolithography and soft lithography, are time-consuming and require specialized equipment and expertise, making them costly and less accessible to researchers and clinicians and limiting the applicability and potential of microfluidic devices. To address this, researchers have turned to using new low-cost materials, such as double-sided tape for microfluidic device fabrication, which offers simple and low-cost processes. The innovation of low-cost and easy-to-make microfluidic devices improves the potential for more devices to be transitioned from laboratories to commercialized products found in stores, offices, and homes. This review serves as a comprehensive summary of the growing interest in and use of double-sided tape-based microfluidic devices in the last 20 years. It discusses the advantages of using double-sided tape, the fabrication techniques used to create and bond microfluidic devices, and the limitations of this approach in certain applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Seunghyun Kim
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA; (S.S.); (M.S.)
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9
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Morais AS, Mendes M, Cordeiro MA, Sousa JJ, Pais AC, Mihăilă SM, Vitorino C. Organ-on-a-Chip: Ubi sumus? Fundamentals and Design Aspects. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:615. [PMID: 38794277 PMCID: PMC11124787 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16050615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
This review outlines the evolutionary journey from traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture to the revolutionary field of organ-on-a-chip technology. Organ-on-a-chip technology integrates microfluidic systems to mimic the complex physiological environments of human organs, surpassing the limitations of conventional 2D cultures. This evolution has opened new possibilities for understanding cell-cell interactions, cellular responses, drug screening, and disease modeling. However, the design and manufacture of microchips significantly influence their functionality, reliability, and applicability to different biomedical applications. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider design parameters, including the number of channels (single, double, or multi-channels), the channel shape, and the biological context. Simultaneously, the selection of appropriate materials compatible with the cells and fabrication methods optimize the chips' capabilities for specific applications, mitigating some disadvantages associated with these systems. Furthermore, the success of organ-on-a-chip platforms greatly depends on the careful selection and utilization of cell resources. Advances in stem cell technology and tissue engineering have contributed to the availability of diverse cell sources, facilitating the development of more accurate and reliable organ-on-a-chip models. In conclusion, a holistic perspective of in vitro cellular modeling is provided, highlighting the integration of microfluidic technology and meticulous chip design, which play a pivotal role in replicating organ-specific microenvironments. At the same time, the sensible use of cell resources ensures the fidelity and applicability of these innovative platforms in several biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sofia Morais
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.S.M.); (M.M.); (M.A.C.); (J.J.S.)
| | - Maria Mendes
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.S.M.); (M.M.); (M.A.C.); (J.J.S.)
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Marta Agostinho Cordeiro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.S.M.); (M.M.); (M.A.C.); (J.J.S.)
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - João J. Sousa
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.S.M.); (M.M.); (M.A.C.); (J.J.S.)
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Alberto Canelas Pais
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Silvia M. Mihăilă
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Carla Vitorino
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.S.M.); (M.M.); (M.A.C.); (J.J.S.)
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal;
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10
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Ma L, Zhao X, Hou J, Huang L, Yao Y, Ding Z, Wei J, Hao N. Droplet Microfluidic Devices: Working Principles, Fabrication Methods, and Scale-Up Applications. SMALL METHODS 2024:e2301406. [PMID: 38594964 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202301406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Compared with the conventional emulsification method, droplets generated within microfluidic devices exhibit distinct advantages such as precise control of fluids, exceptional monodispersity, uniform morphology, flexible manipulation, and narrow size distribution. These inherent benefits, including intrinsic safety, excellent heat and mass transfer capabilities, and large surface-to-volume ratio, have led to the widespread applications of droplet-based microfluidics across diverse fields, encompassing chemical engineering, particle synthesis, biological detection, diagnostics, emulsion preparation, and pharmaceuticals. However, despite its promising potential for versatile applications, the practical utilization of this technology in commercial and industrial is extremely limited to the inherently low production rates achievable within a single microchannel. Over the past two decades, droplet-based microfluidics has evolved significantly, considerably transitioning from a proof-of-concept stage to industrialization. And now there is a growing trend towards translating academic research into commercial and industrial applications, primarily driven by the burgeoning demands of various fields. This paper comprehensively reviews recent advancements in droplet-based microfluidics, covering the fundamental working principles and the critical aspect of scale-up integration from working principles to scale-up integration. Based on the existing scale-up strategies, the paper also outlines the future research directions, identifies the potential opportunities, and addresses the typical unsolved challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ma
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 28 Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Xiong Zhao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 28 Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Junsheng Hou
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 28 Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Lei Huang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 28 Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Yilong Yao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 28 Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Zihan Ding
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 28 Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Jinjia Wei
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 28 Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Nanjing Hao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 28 Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, P. R. China
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11
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Strutt R, Xiong B, Abegg VF, Dittrich PS. Open microfluidics: droplet microarrays as next generation multiwell plates for high throughput screening. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:1064-1075. [PMID: 38356285 PMCID: PMC10898417 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc01024d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Multiwell plates are prominent in the biological and chemical sciences; however, they face limitations in terms of throughput and deployment in emerging bioengineering fields. Droplet microarrays, as an open microfluidic technology, organise tiny droplets typically in the order of thousands, on an accessible plate. In this perspective, we summarise current approaches for generating droplets, fluid handling on them, and analysis within droplet microarrays. By enabling unique plate engineering opportunities, demonstrating the necessary experimental procedures required for manipulating and interacting with biological cells, and integrating with label-free analytical techniques, droplet microarrays can be deployed across a more extensive experimental domain than what is currently covered by multiwell plates. Droplet microarrays thus offer a solution to the bottlenecks associated with multiwell plates, particularly in the areas of biological cultivation and high-throughput compound screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Strutt
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Schanzenstrasse 44, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Bijing Xiong
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Schanzenstrasse 44, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Vanessa Fabienne Abegg
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Schanzenstrasse 44, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Petra S Dittrich
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Schanzenstrasse 44, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
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12
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Ece E, Ölmez K, Hacıosmanoğlu N, Atabay M, Inci F. Advancing 3D printed microfluidics with computational methods for sweat analysis. Mikrochim Acta 2024; 191:162. [PMID: 38411762 PMCID: PMC10899357 DOI: 10.1007/s00604-024-06231-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
The intricate tapestry of biomarkers, including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, vesicles, and nucleic acids within sweat, exhibits a profound correlation with the ones in the bloodstream. The facile extraction of samples from sweat glands has recently positioned sweat sampling at the forefront of non-invasive health monitoring and diagnostics. While extant platforms for sweat analysis exist, the imperative for portability, cost-effectiveness, ease of manufacture, and expeditious turnaround underscores the necessity for parameters that transcend conventional considerations. In this regard, 3D printed microfluidic devices emerge as promising systems, offering a harmonious fusion of attributes such as multifunctional integration, flexibility, biocompatibility, a controlled closed environment, and a minimal requisite analyte volume-features that leverage their prominence in the realm of sweat analysis. However, formidable challenges, including high throughput demands, chemical interactions intrinsic to the printing materials, size constraints, and durability concerns, beset the landscape of 3D printed microfluidic devices. Within this paradigm, we expound upon the foundational aspects of 3D printed microfluidic devices and proffer a distinctive perspective by delving into the computational study of printing materials utilizing density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) methodologies. This multifaceted approach serves manifold purposes: (i) understanding the complexity of microfluidic systems, (ii) facilitating comprehensive analyses, (iii) saving both cost and time, (iv) improving design optimization, and (v) augmenting resolution. In a nutshell, the allure of 3D printing lies in its capacity for affordable and expeditious production, offering seamless integration of diverse components into microfluidic devices-a testament to their inherent utility in the domain of sweat analysis. The synergistic fusion of computational assessment methodologies with materials science not only optimizes analysis and production processes, but also expedites their widespread accessibility, ensuring continuous biomarker monitoring from sweat for end-users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emre Ece
- UNAM-National Nanotechnology Research Center, Bilkent University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
- Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Bilkent University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Kadriye Ölmez
- UNAM-National Nanotechnology Research Center, Bilkent University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
- Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Bilkent University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nedim Hacıosmanoğlu
- UNAM-National Nanotechnology Research Center, Bilkent University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
- Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Bilkent University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Maryam Atabay
- UNAM-National Nanotechnology Research Center, Bilkent University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
- Department of Chemistry, Hacettepe University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Fatih Inci
- UNAM-National Nanotechnology Research Center, Bilkent University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey.
- Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Bilkent University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey.
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13
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Vasios AG, Skonta A, Patila M, Stamatis H. Biocatalytic Performance of β-Glucosidase Immobilized on 3D-Printed Single- and Multi-Channel Polylactic Acid Microreactors. MICROMACHINES 2024; 15:288. [PMID: 38399016 PMCID: PMC10893134 DOI: 10.3390/mi15020288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Microfluidic devices have attracted much attention in the current day owing to the unique advantages they provide. However, their application for industrial use is limited due to manufacturing limitations and high cost. Moreover, the scaling-up process of the microreactor has proven to be difficult. Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology is a promising solution for the above obstacles due to its ability to fabricate complex structures quickly and at a relatively low cost. Hence, combining the advantages of the microscale with 3D printing technology could enhance the applicability of microfluidic devices in the industrial sector. In the present work, a 3D-printed single-channel immobilized enzyme microreactor with a volume capacity of 30 μL was designed and created in one step via the fused deposition modeling (FDM) printing technique, using polylactic acid (PLA) as the printing material. The microreactor underwent surface modification with chitosan, and β-glucosidase from Thermotoga maritima was covalently immobilized. The immobilized biocatalyst retained almost 100% of its initial activity after incubation at different temperatures, while it could be effectively reused for up to 10 successful reaction cycles. Moreover, a multi-channel parallel microreactor incorporating 36 channels was developed, resulting in a significant increase in enzymatic productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Haralambos Stamatis
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Department of Biological Applications and Technologies, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (A.-G.V.); (A.S.); (M.P.)
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14
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Deka M, Sinha N, Das R, Hazarika NK, Das H, Daurai B, Gogoi M. A review on the surface modification of materials for 3D-printed diagnostic devices. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2024; 16:485-495. [PMID: 38167879 DOI: 10.1039/d3ay01742g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) printing in tissue engineering and biosensing of analytes by using biocompatible materials or modifying surface structures is an upcoming area of study. This review discusses three common surface modification techniques, viz. alkaline hydrolysis, UV light photografting, and plasma treatment. Alkaline hydrolysis involves the reaction of an alkaline solution with the surface of a material, causing the surface to develop carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. This technique can enhance the biocompatibility, surface wettability, adhesion, printability, and dyeability of materials, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, and polylactic acid (PLA). This review also mentions details about some of the surface-modified 3D-printed diagnostic devices. Although most of the devices are modified using chemical processes, there are always multiple techniques involved while designing a diagnostic device. We have, therefore, mentioned some of the devices based on the materials used instead of categorising them as per modification techniques. 3D printing helps in the design of sophisticated shapes and structures using multiple materials. They can, therefore be used even in the design of microfluidic devices that are very useful for biosensing. We have also mentioned a few materials for printing microfluidic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mridupaban Deka
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India.
| | - Nibedita Sinha
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India.
| | - Rajkamal Das
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India.
| | - Nihal Kumar Hazarika
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India.
| | - Hrishikesh Das
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India.
| | - Bethuel Daurai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India.
| | - Manashjit Gogoi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India.
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15
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Diacci C, Burtscher B, Berto M, Ruoko TP, Lienemann S, Greco P, Berggren M, Borsari M, Simon DT, Bortolotti CA, Biscarini F. Organic Electrochemical Transistor Aptasensor for Interleukin-6 Detection. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023. [PMID: 38141020 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c12397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate an organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) biosensor for the detection of interleukin 6 (IL6), an important biomarker associated with various pathological processes, including chronic inflammation, inflammaging, cancer, and severe COVID-19 infection. The biosensor is functionalized with oligonucleotide aptamers engineered to bind specifically IL6. We developed an easy functionalization strategy based on gold nanoparticles deposited onto a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) gate electrode for the subsequent electrodeposition of thiolated aptamers. During this functionalization step, the reduction of sulfide bonds allows for simultaneous deposition of a blocking agent. A detection range from picomolar to nanomolar concentrations for IL6 was achieved, and the selectivity of the device was assessed against Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), another cytokine involved in the inflammatory processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Diacci
- Laboratory of Organic Electronics, Department of Science and Technology, Linköping University, 601 74, Norrköping, Sweden
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Bernhard Burtscher
- Laboratory of Organic Electronics, Department of Science and Technology, Linköping University, 601 74, Norrköping, Sweden
| | - Marcello Berto
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Tero-Petri Ruoko
- Laboratory of Organic Electronics, Department of Science and Technology, Linköping University, 601 74, Norrköping, Sweden
| | - Samuel Lienemann
- Laboratory of Organic Electronics, Department of Science and Technology, Linköping University, 601 74, Norrköping, Sweden
| | - Pierpaolo Greco
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Università di Ferrara, Via Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Center for Translational Neurophysiology of Speech and Communication, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Fossato di Mortara 17-193, 44100 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Magnus Berggren
- Laboratory of Organic Electronics, Department of Science and Technology, Linköping University, 601 74, Norrköping, Sweden
| | - Marco Borsari
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Daniel T Simon
- Laboratory of Organic Electronics, Department of Science and Technology, Linköping University, 601 74, Norrköping, Sweden
| | - Carlo A Bortolotti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Fabio Biscarini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Center for Translational Neurophysiology of Speech and Communication, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Fossato di Mortara 17-193, 44100 Ferrara, Italy
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16
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Hiniduma K, Bhalerao KS, De Silva PIT, Chen T, Rusling JF. Design and Fabrication of a 3D-Printed Microfluidic Immunoarray for Ultrasensitive Multiplexed Protein Detection. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:2187. [PMID: 38138356 PMCID: PMC10745552 DOI: 10.3390/mi14122187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic technology has revolutionized device fabrication by merging principles of fluid dynamics with technologies from chemistry, physics, biology, material science, and microelectronics. Microfluidic systems manipulate small volumes of fluids to perform automated tasks with applications ranging from chemical syntheses to biomedical diagnostics. The advent of low-cost 3D printers has revolutionized the development of microfluidic systems. For measuring molecules, 3D printing offers cost-effective, time, and ease-of-designing benefits. In this paper, we present a comprehensive tutorial for design, optimization, and validation for creating a 3D-printed microfluidic immunoarray for ultrasensitive detection of multiple protein biomarkers. The target is the development of a point of care array to determine five protein biomarkers for aggressive cancers. The design phase involves defining dimensions of microchannels, reagent chambers, detection wells, and optimizing parameters and detection methods. In this study, the physical design of the array underwent multiple iterations to optimize key features, such as developing open detection wells for uniform signal distribution and a flap for covering wells during the assay. Then, full signal optimization for sensitivity and limit of detection (LOD) was performed, and calibration plots were generated to assess linear dynamic ranges and LODs. Varying characteristics among biomarkers highlighted the need for tailored assay conditions. Spike-recovery studies confirmed the assay's accuracy. Overall, this paper showcases the methodology, rigor, and innovation involved in designing a 3D-printed microfluidic immunoarray. Optimized parameters, calibration equations, and sensitivity and accuracy data contribute valuable metrics for future applications in biomarker analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keshani Hiniduma
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3060, USA; (K.H.); (K.S.B.); (P.I.T.D.S.); (T.C.)
| | - Ketki S. Bhalerao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3060, USA; (K.H.); (K.S.B.); (P.I.T.D.S.); (T.C.)
| | - Peyahandi I. Thilini De Silva
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3060, USA; (K.H.); (K.S.B.); (P.I.T.D.S.); (T.C.)
| | - Tianqi Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3060, USA; (K.H.); (K.S.B.); (P.I.T.D.S.); (T.C.)
| | - James F. Rusling
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3060, USA; (K.H.); (K.S.B.); (P.I.T.D.S.); (T.C.)
- Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3136, USA
- Department of Surgery and Neag Cancer Center, Uconn Health, Farmington, CT 06030-0001, USA
- School of Chemistry, National University of Ireland at Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
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17
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Moetazedian A, Candeo A, Liu S, Hughes A, Nasrollahi V, Saadat M, Bassi A, Grover LM, Cox LR, Poologasundarampillai G. Versatile Microfluidics for Biofabrication Platforms Enabled by an Agile and Inexpensive Fabrication Pipeline. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2300636. [PMID: 37186512 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202300636] [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: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidics have transformed diagnosis and screening in regenerative medicine. Recently, they are showing much promise in biofabrication. However, their adoption is inhibited by costly and drawn-out lithographic processes thus limiting progress. Here, multi-material fibers with complex core-shell geometries with sizes matching those of human arteries and arterioles are fabricated employing versatile microfluidic devices produced using an agile and inexpensive manufacturing pipeline. The pipeline consists of material extrusion additive manufacturing with an innovative continuously varied extrusion (CONVEX) approach to produce microfluidics with complex seamless geometries including, novel variable-width zigzag (V-zigzag) mixers with channel widths ranging from 100-400 µm and hydrodynamic flow-focusing components. The microfluidic systems facilitated rapid mixing of fluids by decelerating the fluids at specific zones to allow for increased diffusion across the interfaces. Better mixing even at high flow rates (100-1000 µL min-1 ) whilst avoiding turbulence led to high cell cytocompatibility (>86%) even when 100 µm nozzles are used. The presented 3D-printed microfluidic system is versatile, simple and efficient, offering a great potential to significantly advance the microfluidic platform in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirpasha Moetazedian
- School of Dentistry, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B5 7EG, UK
- EPSRC Future Metrology Hub, School of Computing and Engineering, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, HD1 3D, UK
| | - Alessia Candeo
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, Milano, 20133, Italy
| | - Siyun Liu
- School of Dentistry, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B5 7EG, UK
| | - Arran Hughes
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Vahid Nasrollahi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Mozafar Saadat
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Andrea Bassi
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, Milano, 20133, Italy
| | - Liam M Grover
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Liam R Cox
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
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18
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Milton LA, Viglione MS, Ong LJY, Nordin GP, Toh YC. Vat photopolymerization 3D printed microfluidic devices for organ-on-a-chip applications. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:3537-3560. [PMID: 37476860 PMCID: PMC10448871 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00094j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Organs-on-a-chip, or OoCs, are microfluidic tissue culture devices with micro-scaled architectures that repeatedly achieve biomimicry of biological phenomena. They are well positioned to become the primary pre-clinical testing modality as they possess high translational value. Current methods of fabrication have facilitated the development of many custom OoCs that have generated promising results. However, the reliance on microfabrication and soft lithographic fabrication techniques has limited their prototyping turnover rate and scalability. Additive manufacturing, known commonly as 3D printing, shows promise to expedite this prototyping process, while also making fabrication easier and more reproducible. We briefly introduce common 3D printing modalities before identifying two sub-types of vat photopolymerization - stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP) - as the most advantageous fabrication methods for the future of OoC development. We then outline the motivations for shifting to 3D printing, the requirements for 3D printed OoCs to be competitive with the current state of the art, and several considerations for achieving successful 3D printed OoC devices touching on design and fabrication techniques, including a survey of commercial and custom 3D printers and resins. In all, we aim to form a guide for the end-user to facilitate the in-house generation of 3D printed OoCs, along with the future translation of these important devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Milton
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
- Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Matthew S Viglione
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA.
| | - Louis Jun Ye Ong
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
- Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- Max Planck Queensland Centre (MPQC) for the Materials Science of Extracellular Matrices, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Gregory P Nordin
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA.
| | - Yi-Chin Toh
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
- Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- Max Planck Queensland Centre (MPQC) for the Materials Science of Extracellular Matrices, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- Centre for Microbiome Research, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
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19
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Kumar PS, Madapusi S, Goel S. Sub-second synthesis of silver nanoparticles in 3D printed monolithic multilayered microfluidic chip: Enhanced chemiluminescence sensing predictions via machine learning algorithms. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 245:125502. [PMID: 37348592 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125502] [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: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Futuristic microfluidics will require alternative ways to extend its potential in vast areas by integrating various facets such as automation of different subsystems, multiplexing, incorporation of cyber-physical capabilities, and rapid prototyping. On the rapid prototyping aspect, for the last decade, additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing (3DP) has advanced to become an alternative fabrication process for microfluidic devices, enabling industry-level abilities towards mass production. In this context, for the first time, this work demonstrates the fabrication of monolithic multilayer microfluidic devices (MMMD) from planar orientation (1 layer) to nonplanar (4 layers) monolithic microchannels. The developed MMM device was impeccable for synthesizing highly potentialized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in <1 s. Moreover, the transport of chemical species with laminar flow simulations was performed on the process along with the thorough characterizations of produced AgNPs, finding the mean AgNPs particle size of around 35 nm without any post-processing requirements. The well-known catalytic activity of AgNPs was leveraged to enhance weak chemiluminescence (CL) sensing signals by >1300 %, increasing CL sensitivity. Further, machine learning (ML) predictive models encouraged to obtain the experimental parameters without human intervention iterations for target-specific applications. The proposed methodology finds the potential to save resources, time, and enables automation with rapid prototyping, providing possibilities for mass fabrications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavar Sai Kumar
- MEMS, Microfluidics and Nano electronics Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad 500078, India
| | - Srinivasan Madapusi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Dubai Campus, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sanket Goel
- MEMS, Microfluidics and Nano electronics Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad 500078, India.
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20
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Vedhanayagam A, Golfetto M, Ram JL, Basu AS. Rapid Micromolding of Sub-100 µm Microfluidic Channels Using an 8K Stereolithographic Resin 3D Printer. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:1519. [PMID: 37630056 PMCID: PMC10456470 DOI: 10.3390/mi14081519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Engineering microfluidic devices relies on the ability to manufacture sub-100 micrometer fluidic channels. Conventional lithographic methods provide high resolution but require costly exposure tools and outsourcing of masks, which extends the turnaround time to several days. The desire to accelerate design/test cycles has motivated the rapid prototyping of microfluidic channels; however, many of these methods (e.g., laser cutters, craft cutters, fused deposition modeling) have feature sizes of several hundred microns or more. In this paper, we describe a 1-day process for fabricating sub-100 µm channels, leveraging a low-cost (USD 600) 8K digital light projection (DLP) 3D resin printer. The soft lithography process includes mold printing, post-treatment, and casting polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer. The process can produce microchannels with 44 µm lateral resolution and 25 µm height, posts as small as 400 µm, aspect ratio up to 7, structures with varying z-height, integrated reservoirs for fluidic connections, and a built-in tray for casting. We discuss strategies to obtain reliable structures, prevent mold warpage, facilitate curing and removal of PDMS during molding, and recycle the solvents used in the process. To our knowledge, this is the first low-cost 3D printer that prints extruded structures that can mold sub-100 µm channels, providing a balance between resolution, turnaround time, and cost (~USD 5 for a 2 × 5 × 0.5 cm3 chip) that will be attractive for many microfluidics labs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpith Vedhanayagam
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Michael Golfetto
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Jeffrey L. Ram
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Amar S. Basu
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
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21
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Colombo M, Chaudhry P, Oberholzer Y, deMello AJ. Integrative modeling of hemodynamic changes and perfusion impairment in coronary microvascular disease. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1204178. [PMID: 37564992 PMCID: PMC10410158 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1204178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Coronary microvascular disease is one of the responsible factors for cardiac perfusion impairment. Due to diagnostic and treatment challenges, this pathology (characterized by alterations to microvasculature local hemodynamics) represents a significant yet unsolved clinical problem. Methods: Due to the poor understanding of the onset and progression of this disease, we propose a new and noninvasive strategy to quantify in-vivo hemodynamic changes occurring in the microvasculature. Specifically, we here present a conceptual workflow that combines both in-vitro and in-silico modelling for the analysis of the hemodynamic alterations in the microvasculature. Results: First, we demonstrate a hybrid additive manufacturing process to fabricate circular cross-section, biocompatible fluidic networks in polytetrafluoroethylene. We then use these microfluidic devices and computational fluid dynamics to simulate different degrees of perfusion impairment. Discussion: Ultimately, we show that the developed workflow defines a robust platform for the multiscale analysis of multifactorial events occurring in coronary microvascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Colombo
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Palak Chaudhry
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Yvonne Oberholzer
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andrew J. deMello
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
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22
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Rahman AM, Rahman TT, Pei Z, Ufodike CO, Lee J, Elwany A. Additive Manufacturing Using Agriculturally Derived Biowastes: A Systematic Literature Review. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:845. [PMID: 37508872 PMCID: PMC10376353 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10070845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Agriculturally derived biowastes can be transformed into a diverse range of materials, including powders, fibers, and filaments, which can be used in additive manufacturing methods. This review study reports a study that analyzes the existing literature on the development of novel materials from agriculturally derived biowastes for additive manufacturing methods. A review was conducted of 57 selected publications since 2016 covering various agriculturally derived biowastes, different additive manufacturing methods, and potential large-scale applications of additive manufacturing using these materials. Wood, fish, and algal cultivation wastes were also included in the broader category of agriculturally derived biowastes. Further research and development are required to optimize the use of agriculturally derived biowastes for additive manufacturing, particularly with regard to material innovation, improving print quality and mechanical properties, as well as exploring large-scale industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Al Mazedur Rahman
- Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Taieba Tuba Rahman
- Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Zhijian Pei
- Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Chukwuzubelu Okenwa Ufodike
- Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- J. Mike Walker '66 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Jaesung Lee
- Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Alaa Elwany
- Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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Cardoso BD, Castanheira EMS, Lanceros-Méndez S, Cardoso VF. Recent Advances on Cell Culture Platforms for In Vitro Drug Screening and Cell Therapies: From Conventional to Microfluidic Strategies. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2202936. [PMID: 36898671 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202202936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
The clinical translations of drugs and nanomedicines depend on coherent pharmaceutical research based on biologically accurate screening approaches. Since establishing the 2D in vitro cell culture method, the scientific community has improved cell-based drug screening assays and models. Those advances result in more informative biochemical assays and the development of 3D multicellular models to describe the biological complexity better and enhance the simulation of the in vivo microenvironment. Despite the overall dominance of conventional 2D and 3D cell macroscopic culture methods, they present physicochemical and operational challenges that impair the scale-up of drug screening by not allowing a high parallelization, multidrug combination, and high-throughput screening. Their combination and complementarity with microfluidic platforms enable the development of microfluidics-based cell culture platforms with unequivocal advantages in drug screening and cell therapies. Thus, this review presents an updated and consolidated view of cell culture miniaturization's physical, chemical, and operational considerations in the pharmaceutical research scenario. It clarifies advances in the field using gradient-based microfluidics, droplet-based microfluidics, printed-based microfluidics, digital-based microfluidics, SlipChip, and paper-based microfluidics. Finally, it presents a comparative analysis of the performance of cell-based methods in life research and development to achieve increased precision in the drug screening process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz D Cardoso
- Physics Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, Braga, 4710-057, Portugal
- LaPMET-Laboratory of Physics for Materials and Emergent Technologies, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- Center for MicroElectromechanical Systems (CMEMS-UMinho), Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058, Guimarães, Portugal
- LABBELS-Associate Laboratory in Biotechnology and Bioengineering and Microelectromechanical Systems, University of Minho, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Elisabete M S Castanheira
- Physics Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, Braga, 4710-057, Portugal
- LaPMET-Laboratory of Physics for Materials and Emergent Technologies, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Senentxu Lanceros-Méndez
- Physics Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, Braga, 4710-057, Portugal
- LaPMET-Laboratory of Physics for Materials and Emergent Technologies, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- BCMaterials, Basque Center for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures, UPV/EHU Science Park, Leioa, 48940, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, 48009, Spain
| | - Vanessa F Cardoso
- Center for MicroElectromechanical Systems (CMEMS-UMinho), Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058, Guimarães, Portugal
- LABBELS-Associate Laboratory in Biotechnology and Bioengineering and Microelectromechanical Systems, University of Minho, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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24
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Monserrat Lopez D, Rottmann P, Fussenegger M, Lörtscher E. Silicon-Based 3D Microfluidics for Parallelization of Droplet Generation. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:1289. [PMID: 37512600 PMCID: PMC10386391 DOI: 10.3390/mi14071289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Both the diversity and complexity of microfluidic systems have experienced a tremendous progress over the last decades, enabled by new materials, novel device concepts and innovative fabrication routes. In particular the subfield of high-throughput screening, used for biochemical, genetic and pharmacological samples, has extensively emerged from developments in droplet microfluidics. More recently, new 3D device architectures enabled either by stacking layers of PDMS or by direct 3D-printing have gained enormous attention for applications in chemical synthesis or biomedical assays. While the first microfluidic devices were based on silicon and glass structures, those materials have not yet been significantly expanded towards 3D despite their high chemical compatibility, mechanical strength or mass-production potential. In our work, we present a generic fabrication route based on the implementation of vertical vias and a redistribution layer to create glass-silicon-glass 3D microfluidic structures. It is used to build different droplet-generating devices with several flow-focusing junctions in parallel, all fed from a single source. We study the effect of having several of these junctions in parallel by varying the flow conditions of both the continuous and the dispersed phases. We demonstrate that the generic concept enables an upscaling in the production rate by increasing the number of droplet generators per device without sacrificing the monodispersity of the droplets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Monserrat Lopez
- IBM Research Europe-Zurich, Säumerstrasse 4, CH-8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Rottmann
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Emanuel Lörtscher
- IBM Research Europe-Zurich, Säumerstrasse 4, CH-8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland
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25
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Garmasukis R, Hackl C, Charvat A, Mayr SG, Abel B. Rapid prototyping of microfluidic chips enabling controlled biotechnology applications in microspace. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2023; 81:102948. [PMID: 37163825 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.102948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Rapid prototyping of microfluidic chips is a key enabler for controlled biotechnology applications in microspaces, as it allows for the efficient design and production of microfluidic systems. With rapid prototyping, researchers and engineers can quickly create and test new microfluidic chip designs, which can then be optimized for specific applications in biotechnology. One of the key advantages of microfluidic chips for biotechnology is the ability to manipulate and control biological samples in a microspace, which enables precise and controlled experiments under well-defined conditions. This is particularly useful for applications such as cell culture, drug discovery, and diagnostic assays, where precise control over the biological environment is crucial for obtaining accurate results. Established methods, for example, soft lithography, 3D printing, injection molding, as well as other recently highlighted innovative approaches, will be compared and challenges as well as limitations will be discussed. It will be shown that rapid prototyping of microfluidic chips enables the use of advanced materials and technologies, such as smart materials and digital sensors, which can further enhance the capabilities of microfluidic systems for biotechnology applications. Overall, rapid prototyping of microfluidic chips is an important enabling technology for controlled biotechnology applications in microspaces, as well as for upscaling it into macroscopic bioreactors, and its continued development and improvement will play a critical role in advancing the field. The review will highlight recent trends in terms of materials and competing approaches and shed light on current challenges on the way toward integrated microtechnologies. Also, the possibility to easy and direct implementation of novel functions (membranes, functionalization of interfaces, etc.) is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rokas Garmasukis
- Leibniz-Institute of Surface Engineering Leipzig (IOM), Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Permoserstr.15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Claudia Hackl
- Leibniz-Institute of Surface Engineering Leipzig (IOM), Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ales Charvat
- Institute of Chemical Technology, University Leipzig, Linnéstr. 3, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stefan G Mayr
- Leibniz-Institute of Surface Engineering Leipzig (IOM), Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Bernd Abel
- Institute of Chemical Technology, University Leipzig, Linnéstr. 3, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
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26
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Zhou L, Liu L, Chang MA, Ma C, Chen W, Chen P. Spatiotemporal dissection of tumor microenvironment via in situ sensing and monitoring in tumor-on-a-chip. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 225:115064. [PMID: 36680970 PMCID: PMC9918721 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Real-time monitoring in the tumor microenvironment provides critical insights of cancer progression and mechanistic understanding of responses to cancer treatments. However, clinical challenges and significant questions remain regarding assessment of limited clinical tissue samples, establishment of validated, controllable pre-clinical cancer models, monitoring of static versus dynamic markers, and the translation of insights gained from in vitro tumor microenvironments to systematic investigation and understanding in clinical practice. State-of-art tumor-on-a-chip strategies will be reviewed herein, and emerging real-time sensing and monitoring platforms for on-chip analysis of tumor microenvironment will also be examined. The integration of the sensors with tumor-on-a-chip platforms to provide spatiotemporal information of the tumor microenvironment and the associated challenges will be further evaluated. Though optimal integrated systems for in situ monitoring are still in evolution, great promises lie ahead that will open new paradigm for rapid, comprehensive analysis of cancer development and assist clinicians with powerful tools to guide the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment course in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lang Zhou
- Materials Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Lunan Liu
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA
| | - Muammar Ali Chang
- Materials Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Chao Ma
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA
| | - Weiqiang Chen
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA
| | - Pengyu Chen
- Materials Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA.
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27
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Tevlek A, Kecili S, Ozcelik OS, Kulah H, Tekin HC. Spheroid Engineering in Microfluidic Devices. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:3630-3649. [PMID: 36743071 PMCID: PMC9893254 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c06052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Two-dimensional (2D) cell culture techniques are commonly employed to investigate biophysical and biochemical cellular responses. However, these culture methods, having monolayer cells, lack cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions, mimicking the cell microenvironment and multicellular organization. Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture methods enable equal transportation of nutrients, gas, and growth factors among cells and their microenvironment. Therefore, 3D cultures show similar cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation properties to in vivo. A spheroid is defined as self-assembled 3D cell aggregates, and it closely mimics a cell microenvironment in vitro thanks to cell-cell/matrix interactions, which enables its use in several important applications in medical and clinical research. To fabricate a spheroid, conventional methods such as liquid overlay, hanging drop, and so forth are available. However, these labor-intensive methods result in low-throughput fabrication and uncontrollable spheroid sizes. On the other hand, microfluidic methods enable inexpensive and rapid fabrication of spheroids with high precision. Furthermore, fabricated spheroids can also be cultured in microfluidic devices for controllable cell perfusion, simulation of fluid shear effects, and mimicking of the microenvironment-like in vivo conditions. This review focuses on recent microfluidic spheroid fabrication techniques and also organ-on-a-chip applications of spheroids, which are used in different disease modeling and drug development studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atakan Tevlek
- METU
MEMS Research and Application Center, Ankara 06800, Turkey
| | - Seren Kecili
- The
Department of Bioengineering, Izmir Institute
of Technology, Urla, Izmir 35430, Turkey
| | - Ozge S. Ozcelik
- The
Department of Bioengineering, Izmir Institute
of Technology, Urla, Izmir 35430, Turkey
| | - Haluk Kulah
- METU
MEMS Research and Application Center, Ankara 06800, Turkey
- The
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Ankara 06800, Turkey
| | - H. Cumhur Tekin
- METU
MEMS Research and Application Center, Ankara 06800, Turkey
- The
Department of Bioengineering, Izmir Institute
of Technology, Urla, Izmir 35430, Turkey
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28
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Rodríguez CF, Andrade-Pérez V, Vargas MC, Mantilla-Orozco A, Osma JF, Reyes LH, Cruz JC. Breaking the clean room barrier: exploring low-cost alternatives for microfluidic devices. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1176557. [PMID: 37180035 PMCID: PMC10172592 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1176557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Microfluidics is an interdisciplinary field that encompasses both science and engineering, which aims to design and fabricate devices capable of manipulating extremely low volumes of fluids on a microscale level. The central objective of microfluidics is to provide high precision and accuracy while using minimal reagents and equipment. The benefits of this approach include greater control over experimental conditions, faster analysis, and improved experimental reproducibility. Microfluidic devices, also known as labs-on-a-chip (LOCs), have emerged as potential instruments for optimizing operations and decreasing costs in various of industries, including pharmaceutical, medical, food, and cosmetics. However, the high price of conventional prototypes for LOCs devices, generated in clean room facilities, has increased the demand for inexpensive alternatives. Polymers, paper, and hydrogels are some of the materials that can be utilized to create the inexpensive microfluidic devices covered in this article. In addition, we highlighted different manufacturing techniques, such as soft lithography, laser plotting, and 3D printing, that are suitable for creating LOCs. The selection of materials and fabrication techniques will depend on the specific requirements and applications of each individual LOC. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the numerous alternatives for the development of low-cost LOCs to service industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food, and biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - María Camila Vargas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Johann F. Osma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Luis H. Reyes
- Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
- *Correspondence: Luis H. Reyes, ; Juan C. Cruz,
| | - Juan C. Cruz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
- *Correspondence: Luis H. Reyes, ; Juan C. Cruz,
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29
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Combining 3D Printing and Microfluidic Techniques: A Powerful Synergy for Nanomedicine. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16010069. [PMID: 36678566 PMCID: PMC9867206 DOI: 10.3390/ph16010069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanomedicine has grown tremendously in recent years as a responsive strategy to find novel therapies for treating challenging pathological conditions. As a result, there is an urgent need to develop novel formulations capable of providing adequate therapeutic treatment while overcoming the limitations of traditional protocols. Lately, microfluidic technology (MF) and additive manufacturing (AM) have both acquired popularity, bringing numerous benefits to a wide range of life science applications. There have been numerous benefits and drawbacks of MF and AM as distinct techniques, with case studies showing how the careful optimization of operational parameters enables them to overcome existing limitations. Therefore, the focus of this review was to highlight the potential of the synergy between MF and AM, emphasizing the significant benefits that this collaboration could entail. The combination of the techniques ensures the full customization of MF-based systems while remaining cost-effective and less time-consuming compared to classical approaches. Furthermore, MF and AM enable highly sustainable procedures suitable for industrial scale-out, leading to one of the most promising innovations of the near future.
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30
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Saxena A, Malviya R. 3D Printable Drug Delivery Systems: Next-generation Healthcare Technology and Regulatory Aspects. Curr Pharm Des 2023; 29:2814-2826. [PMID: 38018197 DOI: 10.2174/0113816128275872231105183036] [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: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
A revolutionary shift in healthcare has been sparked by the development of 3D printing, propelling us into an era replete with boundless opportunities for personalized DDS (Drug Delivery Systems). Precise control of the kinetics of drug release can be achieved through 3D printing, improving treatment efficacy and patient compliance. Additionally, 3D printing facilitates the co-administration of multiple drugs, simplifying treatment regimens. The technology offers rapid prototyping and manufacturing capabilities, reducing development timelines and costs. The seamless integration of advanced algorithms and artificial neural networks (ANN) augments the precision and efficacy of 3D printing, propelling us toward the forefront of personalized medicine. This comprehensive review delves into the regulatory frontiers governing 3D printable drug delivery systems, with an emphasis on adhering to rigorous safety protocols to ensure the well-being of patients by leveraging the latest advancements in 3D printing technologies powered by artificial intelligence. The paradigm promises superior therapeutic outcomes and optimized medication experiences and sets the stage for an immersive future within the Metaverse, wherein healthcare seamlessly converges with virtual environments to unlock unparalleled possibilities for personalized treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anmol Saxena
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rishabha Malviya
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
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31
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Design and 3D printing of an electrochemical sensor for Listeria monocytogenes detection based on loop mediated isothermal amplification. Heliyon 2022; 9:e12637. [PMID: 36691544 PMCID: PMC9860429 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this work is the design and 3D printing of a new electrochemical sensor for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes based on loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). The food related diseases involve a serious health issue all over the world. Listeria monocytogenes is one of the major problems of contaminated food, this pathogen causes a disease called listeriosis with a high rate of hospitalization and mortality. Having a fast, sensitive and specific detection method for food quality control is a must in the food industry to avoid the presence of this pathogen in the food chain (raw materials, facilities and products). A point-of-care biosensor based in LAMP and electrochemical detection is one of the best options to detect the bacteria on site and in a very short period of time. With the numerical analysis of different geometries and flow rates during sample injection in order to avoid bubbles, an optimized design of the microfluidic biosensor chamber was selected for 3D-printing and experimental analysis. For the electrochemical detection, a novel custom gold concentric-3-electrode consisting in a working electrode, reference electrode and a counter electrode was designed and placed in the bottom of the chamber. The LAMP reaction was optimized specifically for a primers set with a limit of detection of 1.25 pg of genomic DNA per reaction and 100% specific for detecting all 12 Listeria monocytogenes serotypes and no other Listeria species or food-related bacteria. The methylene blue redox-active molecule was tested as the electrochemical transducer and shown to be compatible with the LAMP reaction and very clearly distinguished negative from positive food samples when the reaction is measured at the end-point inside the biosensor.
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32
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Hornik T, Kempa J, Catterlin J, Kartalov E. A Solution to the Clearance Problem of Sacrificial Material in 3D Printing of Microfluidic Devices. MICROMACHINES 2022; 14:16. [PMID: 36677077 PMCID: PMC9865861 DOI: 10.3390/mi14010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
3D-printing is poised to enable remarkable advances in a variety of fields, such as artificial muscles, prosthetics, biomedical diagnostics, biofuel cells, flexible electronics, and military logistics. The advantages of automated monolithic fabrication are particularly attractive for complex embedded microfluidics in a wide range of applications. However, before this promise can be fulfilled, the basic problem of removal of sacrificial material from embedded microchannels must be solved. The presented work is an experimental proof of principle of a novel technique for clearance of sacrificial material from embedded microchannels in 3D-printed microfluidics. The technique demonstrates consistent performance (~40-75% clearance) in microchannels with printed width of ~200 µm and above. The presented technique is thus an important enabling tool in achieving the promise of 3D printing in microfluidics and its wide range of applications.
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33
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Long F, Xu G, Wang J, Ren Y, Cheng Y. Variable Stiffness Conductive Composites by 4D Printing Dual Materials Alternately. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:1343. [PMID: 36014265 PMCID: PMC9415883 DOI: 10.3390/mi13081343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Materials that can be designed with programmable properties and which change in response to external stimuli are of great importance in numerous fields of soft actuators, involving robotics, drug delivery and aerospace applications. In order to improve the interaction of human and robots, materials with variable stiffness are introduced to develop their compliance. A variable stiffness composite has been investigated in this paper, which is composed of liquid metals (LMs) and silicone elastomers. The phase changing materials (LMs) have been encapsulated into silicone elastomer by printing the dual materials alternately with three-dimensional direct ink writing. Such composites enable the control over their own stiffness between soft and rigid states through LM effective phase transition. The tested splines demonstrated that the stiffness changes approximately exceeded 1900%, and the storage modulus is 4.75 MPa and 0.2 MPa when LM is rigid and soft, respectively. In the process of heating up, the stretching strain can be enlarged by at least three times, but the load capacity is weakened. At a high temperature, the resistance of the conductive composites changes with the deformation degree, which is expected to be applied in the field of soft sensing actuators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Long
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Additive Manufacturing Materials, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
- Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo 315100, China
- Research Group for Fluids and Thermal Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo 315100, China
| | - Gaojie Xu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Additive Manufacturing Materials, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo 315100, China
| | - Yong Ren
- Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo 315100, China
- Research Group for Fluids and Thermal Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo 315100, China
- Key Laboratory of Carbonaceous Wastes Processing and Process Intensification Research of Zhejiang Province, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo 315100, China
| | - Yuchuan Cheng
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Additive Manufacturing Materials, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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34
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Parihar A, Pandita V, Khan R. 3D printed human organoids: High throughput system for drug screening and testing in current COVID-19 pandemic. Biotechnol Bioeng 2022; 119:2669-2688. [PMID: 35765706 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
In the current pandemic, scenario the world is facing a huge shortage of effective drugs and other prophylactic medicine to treat patients which created havoc in several countries with poor resources. With limited demand and supply of effective drugs, researchers rushed to repurpose the existing approved drugs for the treatment of COVID-19. The process of drug screening and testing is very costly and requires several steps for validation and treatment efficacy evaluation ranging from in-vitro to in-vivo setups. After these steps, a clinical trial is mandatory for the evaluation of treatment efficacy and side effects in humans. These processes enhance the overall cost and sometimes the lead molecule show adverse effects in humans and the trial ends up in the final stages. Recently with the advent of 3D organoid culture which mimics the human tissue exactly the process of drug screening and testing can be done in a faster and cost-effective manner. Further 3D organoids prepared from stems cells taken from individuals can be beneficial for personalized drug therapy which could save millions of lives. This review discussed approaches and techniques for the synthesis of 3D-printed human organoids for drug screening. The key findings of the usage of organoids for personalized medicine for the treatment of COVID-19 have been discussed. In the end, the key challenges for the wide applicability of human organoids for drug screening with prospects of future orientation have been included. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpana Parihar
- Industrial Waste Utilization, Nano and Biomaterials, CSIR-Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (AMPRI), Hoshangabad Road, Bhopal, 462026, MP, India
| | - Vasundhara Pandita
- Department of Biosciences, Barkatullah University, Habib Ganj, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 462026, India
| | - Raju Khan
- Industrial Waste Utilization, Nano and Biomaterials, CSIR-Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (AMPRI), Hoshangabad Road, Bhopal, 462026, MP, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
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35
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Juang YJ, Chiu YJ. Fabrication of Polymer Microfluidics: An Overview. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14102028. [PMID: 35631909 PMCID: PMC9147778 DOI: 10.3390/polym14102028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Microfluidic platform technology has presented a new strategy to detect and analyze analytes and biological entities thanks to its reduced dimensions, which results in lower reagent consumption, fast reaction, multiplex, simplified procedure, and high portability. In addition, various forces, such as hydrodynamic force, electrokinetic force, and acoustic force, become available to manipulate particles to be focused and aligned, sorted, trapped, patterned, etc. To fabricate microfluidic chips, silicon was the first to be used as a substrate material because its processing is highly correlated to semiconductor fabrication techniques. Nevertheless, other materials, such as glass, polymers, ceramics, and metals, were also adopted during the emergence of microfluidics. Among numerous applications of microfluidics, where repeated short-time monitoring and one-time usage at an affordable price is required, polymer microfluidics has stood out to fulfill demand by making good use of its variety in material properties and processing techniques. In this paper, the primary fabrication techniques for polymer microfluidics were reviewed and classified into two categories, e.g., mold-based and non-mold-based approaches. For the mold-based approaches, micro-embossing, micro-injection molding, and casting were discussed. As for the non-mold-based approaches, CNC micromachining, laser micromachining, and 3D printing were discussed. This review provides researchers and the general audience with an overview of the fabrication techniques of polymer microfluidic devices, which could serve as a reference when one embarks on studies in this field and deals with polymer microfluidics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Je Juang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1 University Road, Tainan 70101, Taiwan;
- Core Facility Center, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1 University Road, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
- Research Center for Energy Technology and Strategy, National Cheng Kung University, No.1 University Road, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-62757575 (ext. 62653); Fax: +886-62344496
| | - Yu-Jui Chiu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1 University Road, Tainan 70101, Taiwan;
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Rogkas N, Vakouftsis C, Spitas V, Lagaros ND, Georgantzinos SK. Design Aspects of Additive Manufacturing at Microscale: A Review. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:mi13050775. [PMID: 35630242 PMCID: PMC9147298 DOI: 10.3390/mi13050775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Additive manufacturing (AM) technology has been researched and developed for almost three decades. Microscale AM is one of the fastest-growing fields of research within the AM area. Considerable progress has been made in the development and commercialization of new and innovative microscale AM processes, as well as several practical applications in a variety of fields. However, there are still significant challenges that exist in terms of design, available materials, processes, and the ability to fabricate true three-dimensional structures and systems at a microscale. For instance, microscale AM fabrication technologies are associated with certain limitations and constraints due to the scale aspect, which may require the establishment and use of specialized design methodologies in order to overcome them. The aim of this paper is to review the main processes, materials, and applications of the current microscale AM technology, to present future research needs for this technology, and to discuss the need for the introduction of a design methodology. Thus, one of the primary concerns of the current paper is to present the design aspects describing the comparative advantages and AM limitations at the microscale, as well as the selection of processes and materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Rogkas
- Laboratory of Machine Design, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou, 15780 Zografou, Greece; (N.R.); (C.V.); (V.S.)
| | - Christos Vakouftsis
- Laboratory of Machine Design, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou, 15780 Zografou, Greece; (N.R.); (C.V.); (V.S.)
| | - Vasilios Spitas
- Laboratory of Machine Design, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou, 15780 Zografou, Greece; (N.R.); (C.V.); (V.S.)
| | - Nikos D. Lagaros
- Institute of Structural Analysis and Antiseismic Research, School of Civil Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou, 15780 Zographou, Greece;
| | - Stelios K. Georgantzinos
- Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Structures and Digitalization, Department of Aerospace Science and Technology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Evripus Campus, 34400 Psachna, Greece
- Correspondence:
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Can 3D-Printed Bioactive Glasses Be the Future of Bone Tissue Engineering? Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14081627. [PMID: 35458377 PMCID: PMC9027654 DOI: 10.3390/polym14081627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
According to the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study, cases of bone fracture or injury have increased to 33.4% in the past two decades. Bone-related injuries affect both physical and mental health and increase the morbidity rate. Biopolymers, metals, ceramics, and various biomaterials have been used to synthesize bone implants. Among these, bioactive glasses are one of the most biomimetic materials for human bones. They provide good mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and osteointegrative properties. Owing to these properties, various composites of bioactive glasses have been FDA-approved for diverse bone-related and other applications. However, bone defects and bone injuries require customized designs and replacements. Thus, the three-dimensional (3D) printing of bioactive glass composites has the potential to provide customized bone implants. This review highlights the bottlenecks in 3D printing bioactive glass and provides an overview of different types of 3D printing methods for bioactive glass. Furthermore, this review discusses synthetic and natural bioactive glass composites. This review aims to provide information on bioactive glass biomaterials and their potential in bone tissue engineering.
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Unraveling Cancer Metastatic Cascade Using Microfluidics-based Technologies. Biophys Rev 2022; 14:517-543. [PMID: 35528034 PMCID: PMC9043145 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-022-00944-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer has long been a leading cause of death. The primary tumor, however, is not the main cause of death in more than 90% of cases. It is the complex process of metastasis that makes cancer deadly. The invasion metastasis cascade is the multi-step biological process of cancer cell dissemination to distant organ sites and adaptation to the new microenvironment site. Unraveling the metastasis process can provide great insight into cancer death prevention or even treatment. Microfluidics is a promising platform, that provides a wide range of applications in metastasis-related investigations. Cell culture microfluidic technologies for in vitro modeling of cancer tissues with fluid flow and the presence of mechanical factors have led to the organ-on-a-chip platforms. Moreover, microfluidic systems have also been exploited for capturing and characterization of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) that provide crucial information on the metastatic behavior of a tumor. We present a comprehensive review of the recent developments in the application of microfluidics-based systems for analysis and understanding of the metastasis cascade from a wider perspective.
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Kassem T, Sarkar T, Nguyen T, Saha D, Ahsan F. 3D Printing in Solid Dosage Forms and Organ-on-Chip Applications. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12040186. [PMID: 35448246 PMCID: PMC9027319 DOI: 10.3390/bios12040186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
3D printing (3DP) can serve not only as an excellent platform for producing solid dosage forms tailored to individualized dosing regimens but can also be used as a tool for creating a suitable 3D model for drug screening, sensing, testing and organ-on-chip applications. Several new technologies have been developed to convert the conventional dosing regimen into personalized medicine for the past decade. With the approval of Spritam, the first pharmaceutical formulation produced by 3DP technology, this technology has caught the attention of pharmaceutical researchers worldwide. Consistent efforts are being made to improvise the process and mitigate other shortcomings such as restricted excipient choice, time constraints, industrial production constraints, and overall cost. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of the 3DP process, its types, types of material used, and the pros and cons of each technique in the application of not only creating solid dosage forms but also producing a 3D model for sensing, testing, and screening of the substances. The application of producing a model for the biosensing and screening of drugs besides the creation of the drug itself, offers a complete loop of application for 3DP in pharmaceutics.
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Cong H, Zhang N. Perspectives in translating microfluidic devices from laboratory prototyping into scale-up production. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2022; 16:021301. [PMID: 35350441 PMCID: PMC8933055 DOI: 10.1063/5.0079045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Transforming lab research into a sustainable business is becoming a trend in the microfluidic field. However, there are various challenges during the translation process due to the gaps between academia and industry, especially from laboratory prototyping to industrial scale-up production, which is critical for potential commercialization. In this Perspective, based on our experience in collaboration with stakeholders, e.g., biologists, microfluidic engineers, diagnostic specialists, and manufacturers, we aim to share our understanding of the manufacturing process chain of microfluidic cartridge from concept development and laboratory prototyping to scale-up production, where the scale-up production of commercial microfluidic cartridges is highlighted. Four suggestions from the aspect of cartridge design for manufacturing, professional involvement, material selection, and standardization are provided in order to help scientists from the laboratory to bring their innovations into pre-clinical, clinical, and mass production and improve the manufacturability of laboratory prototypes toward commercialization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengji Cong
- Centre of Micro/Nano Manufacturing Technology (MNMT-Dublin), School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Nan Zhang
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
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Yin M, Alexander Kim Z, Xu B. Micro/Nanofluidic‐Enabled Biomedical Devices: Integration of Structural Design and Manufacturing. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202100117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mengtian Yin
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering University of Virginia Charlottesville VA 22904 USA
| | - Zachary Alexander Kim
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering University of Virginia Charlottesville VA 22904 USA
| | - Baoxing Xu
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering University of Virginia Charlottesville VA 22904 USA
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Cui M, Wiraja C, Zheng M, Singh G, Yong K, Xu C. Recent Progress in Skin‐on‐a‐Chip Platforms. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202100138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mingyue Cui
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Nanyang Technological University 62 Nanyang Drive Singapore 637459 Singapore
- Continental‐NTU Corporate Lab Nanyang Technological University 50 Nanyang Avenue Singapore 639798 Singapore
| | - Christian Wiraja
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Nanyang Technological University 62 Nanyang Drive Singapore 637459 Singapore
| | - Mengjia Zheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering City University of Hong Kong 83 Tat Chee Avenue Kowloon Hong Kong SAR 00000 China
| | - Gurvinder Singh
- School of Biomedical Engineering The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
- The University of Sydney Nano Institute The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
- The Biophotonics and MechanoBioengineering Lab The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
| | - Ken‐Tye Yong
- School of Biomedical Engineering The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
- The University of Sydney Nano Institute The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
- The Biophotonics and MechanoBioengineering Lab The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
| | - Chenjie Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering City University of Hong Kong 83 Tat Chee Avenue Kowloon Hong Kong SAR 00000 China
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Escobar A, Chiu P, Qu J, Zhang Y, Xu CQ. Integrated Microfluidic-Based Platforms for On-Site Detection and Quantification of Infectious Pathogens: Towards On-Site Medical Translation of SARS-CoV-2 Diagnostic Platforms. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:1079. [PMID: 34577722 PMCID: PMC8470930 DOI: 10.3390/mi12091079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The rapid detection and quantification of infectious pathogens is an essential component to the control of potentially lethal outbreaks among human populations worldwide. Several of these highly infectious pathogens, such as Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), have been cemented in human history as causing epidemics or pandemics due to their lethality and contagiousness. SARS-CoV-2 is an example of these highly infectious pathogens that have recently become one of the leading causes of globally reported deaths, creating one of the worst economic downturns and health crises in the last century. As a result, the necessity for highly accurate and increasingly rapid on-site diagnostic platforms for highly infectious pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2, has grown dramatically over the last two years. Current conventional non-microfluidic diagnostic techniques have limitations in their effectiveness as on-site devices due to their large turnaround times, operational costs and the need for laboratory equipment. In this review, we first present criteria, both novel and previously determined, as a foundation for the development of effective and viable on-site microfluidic diagnostic platforms for several notable pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2. This list of criteria includes standards that were set out by the WHO, as well as our own "seven pillars" for effective microfluidic integration. We then evaluate the use of microfluidic integration to improve upon currently, and previously, existing platforms for the detection of infectious pathogens. Finally, we discuss a stage-wise means to translate our findings into a fundamental framework towards the development of more effective on-site SARS-CoV-2 microfluidic-integrated platforms that may facilitate future pandemic diagnostic and research endeavors. Through microfluidic integration, many limitations in currently existing infectious pathogen diagnostic platforms can be eliminated or improved upon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres Escobar
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada; (A.E.); (J.Q.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Phyllis Chiu
- Department of Engineering Physics, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada;
| | - Jianxi Qu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada; (A.E.); (J.Q.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yushan Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada; (A.E.); (J.Q.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Chang-qing Xu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada; (A.E.); (J.Q.); (Y.Z.)
- Department of Engineering Physics, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada;
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