1
|
Hayashi A, Hemmi R, Saito Y, Utoh R, Taniguchi T, Yamada M. High-Density Microporous Drainage-Integrating Sheath Flow Generator for Streamlining Microfluidic Cell Sorting Systems. Anal Chem 2024; 96:6764-6773. [PMID: 38619911 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c00485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Tremendous efforts have been made to develop practical and efficient microfluidic cell and particle sorting systems; however, there are technological limitations in terms of system complexity and low operability. Here, we propose a sheath flow generator that can dramatically simplify operational procedures and enhance the usability of microfluidic cell sorters. The device utilizes an embedded polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sponge with interconnected micropores, which is in direct contact with microchannels and seamlessly integrated into the microfluidic platform. The high-density micropores on the sponge surface facilitated fluid drainage, and the drained fluid was used as the sheath flow for downstream cell sorting processes. To fabricate the integrated device, a new process for sponge-embedded substrates was developed through the accumulation, incorporation, and dissolution of PMMA microparticles as sacrificial porogens. The effects of the microchannel geometry and flow velocity on the sheath flow generation were investigated. Furthermore, an asymmetric lattice-shaped microchannel network for cell/particle sorting was connected to the sheath flow generator in series, and the sorting performances of model particles, blood cells, and spiked tumor cells were investigated. The sheath flow generation technique developed in this study is expected to streamline conventional microfluidic cell-sorting systems as it dramatically improves versatility and operability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayumi Hayashi
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Runa Hemmi
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Yuhei Saito
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Rie Utoh
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Taniguchi
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Masumi Yamada
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Julius LAN, Akgül D, Krishnan G, Falk F, Korvink J, Badilita V. Portable dielectrophoresis for biology: ADEPT facilitates cell trapping, separation, and interactions. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2024; 10:29. [PMID: 38434587 PMCID: PMC10907756 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-024-00654-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Dielectrophoresis is a powerful and well-established technique that allows label-free, non-invasive manipulation of cells and particles by leveraging their electrical properties. The practical implementation of the associated electronics and user interface in a biology laboratory, however, requires an engineering background, thus hindering the broader adoption of the technique. In order to address these challenges and to bridge the gap between biologists and the engineering skills required for the implementation of DEP platforms, we report here a custom-built, compact, universal electronic platform termed ADEPT (adaptable dielectrophoresis embedded platform tool) for use with a simple microfluidic chip containing six microelectrodes. The versatility of the open-source platform is ensured by a custom-developed graphical user interface that permits simple reconfiguration of the control signals to address a wide-range of specific applications: (i) precision positioning of the single bacterium/cell/particle in the micrometer range; (ii) viability-based separation by achieving a 94% efficiency in separating live and dead yeast; (iii) phenotype-based separation by achieving a 96% efficiency in separating yeast and Bacillus subtilis; (iv) cell-cell interactions by steering a phagocytosis process where a granulocyte engulfs E. coli RGB-S bacterium. Together, the set of experiments and the platform form a complete basis for a wide range of possible applications addressing various biological questions exploiting the plug-and-play design and the intuitive GUI of ADEPT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lourdes Albina Nirupa Julius
- Department, Institute of Microstructure Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, 76344 Baden-Württemberg Germany
| | - Dora Akgül
- Department, Institute of Microstructure Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, 76344 Baden-Württemberg Germany
| | - Gowri Krishnan
- Department, Institute of Microstructure Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, 76344 Baden-Württemberg Germany
| | - Fabian Falk
- Department, Institute of Microstructure Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, 76344 Baden-Württemberg Germany
| | - Jan Korvink
- Department, Institute of Microstructure Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, 76344 Baden-Württemberg Germany
| | - Vlad Badilita
- Department, Institute of Microstructure Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, 76344 Baden-Württemberg Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kepper M, Karim MN, Baune M, Thöming J, Pesch GR. Influence of the filter grain morphology on separation efficiency in dielectrophoretic filtration. Electrophoresis 2023; 44:1645-1654. [PMID: 37380622 DOI: 10.1002/elps.202300075] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Recovery of noble materials from waste is essential for industries around the globe. Dielectrophoretic (DEP) filtration, an electrically switchable particle separation technique, can be applied to tackle this challenge. It is highly selective regarding particle size, material or shape. Expanding the scope of DEP towards high throughput and improving the trapping efficiency are vital to make DEP a viable robust alternative to conventional separation methods. DEP filtration works by selective immobilisation of particles in a porous medium by the action of an inhomogeneous electric field. The field inhomogeneity comes from scattering an electric field at the phase boundary between the particle suspension and the filter surface. In this article, we show how the filter structure affects the DEP separation. We study fixed bed filters of three different grain types and find that the morphology of the grains highly influences the DEP filter efficiency. Specifically, grains with irregular surface structure and high perceived angularity show high separation efficiency. We believe these insights into the design of DEP filtration will pave the way towards its application in, for example, the recovery of valuable materials from electronic waste dust.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariia Kepper
- Faculty of Production Engineering, Chemical Process Engineering (CVT), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Md Nurul Karim
- Faculty of Production Engineering, Advanced Ceramics, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Michael Baune
- Faculty of Production Engineering, Chemical Process Engineering (CVT), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Jorg Thöming
- Faculty of Production Engineering, Chemical Process Engineering (CVT), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
- MAPEX Center for Materials and Processes, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Georg R Pesch
- Faculty of Production Engineering, Chemical Process Engineering (CVT), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
- School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Karimi A, Sattari-Najafabadi M. Numerical study of bacteria removal from microalgae solution using an asymmetric contraction-expansion microfluidic device: A parametric analysis approach. Heliyon 2023; 9:e20380. [PMID: 37780775 PMCID: PMC10539965 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Microalgae have been remarkably taken into account due to their wide applications in the biopharmaceutical, nutraceutical and bio-energy fields. However, contamination of microalgae with bacteria still appears to be a concern, adversely impacting products' quality and process efficiency. Microalgae decontamination with conventional techniques is usually expensive and time-consuming. Moreover, damage to microalgae cells is highly possible. Asymmetric contraction-expansion microchannels (Asym-CEMCs) are promising passive microfluidic devices that can overcome conventional techniques' drawbacks with their standing-out features. However, the flexibility of Asym-CEMCs performance arising from their various tunable geometrical parameters results in the fact that their performance for separating a target particle cannot be predicted without an investigation. In this work, for the first time, Asym-CEMCs were numerically studied for the removal of a very conventional bacteria, B. subtilis (1 μm), from one of the most popular microalgae, C. vulgaris (5.7 μm). The influences of the microchannel aspect ratio, length and width ratios of the expansion-to-contraction zones, and the total flow rate on the separation resolution and focusing width of the particles were investigated by a 3D numerical model. The aspect ratio had the strongest influence on the Asym-CEMC performance, however, the length ratio had no considerable effect on the results. A decrease in the aspect ratio augmented the shear-induced lift force and Dean drag force, leading to a significant separation resolution improvement. Microalgae decontamination was also enhanced by an increase in the total flow rate and expansion-to-contraction width ratio. Finally, a locally optimized Asym-CEMC with an aspect ratio of one and expansion-to-contraction width and length ratios of 4.7 and 2.07, respectively, was proposed, leading to complete microalgae decontamination with a high normalized separation resolution of 0.6. In a word, Asym-CEMCs with tailored dimensions are promising for successfully decontaminating microalgae from bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ali Karimi
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, 14588-89694, Iran
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yang H, Chen T, Hu Y, Niu F, Zheng X, Sun H, Cheng L, Sun L. A microfluidic platform integrating dynamic cell culture and dielectrophoretic manipulation for in situ assessment of endothelial cell mechanics. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:3581-3592. [PMID: 37417786 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00363a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
The function of vascular endothelial cells (ECs) within the complex vascular microenvironment is typically modulated by biochemical cues, cell-cell interactions, and fluid shear stress. These regulatory factors play a crucial role in determining cell mechanical properties, such as elastic and shear moduli, which are important parameters for assessing cell status. However, most studies on the measurement of cell mechanical properties have been conducted in vitro, which is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Notably, many physiological factors are lacking in Petri dish culture compared with in vivo conditions, leading to inaccurate results and poor clinical relevance. Herein, we developed a multi-layer microfluidic chip that integrates dynamic cell culture, manipulation and dielectrophoretic in situ measurement of mechanical properties. Furthermore, we numerically and experimentally simulated the vascular microenvironment to investigate the effects of flow rate and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) on the Young's modulus of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Results showed that greater fluid shear stress results in increased Young's modulus of HUVECs, suggesting the importance of hemodynamics in modulating the biomechanics of ECs. In contrast, TNF-α, an inflammation inducer, dramatically decreased HUVEC stiffness, demonstrating an adverse impact on the vascular endothelium. Blebbistatin, a cytoskeleton disruptor, significantly reduced the Young's modulus of HUVECs. In summary, the proposed vascular-mimetic dynamic culture and monitoring approach enables the physiological development of ECs in organ-on-a-chip microsystems for accurately and efficiently studying hemodynamics and pharmacological mechanisms underlying cardiovascular diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yang
- Robotics and Microsystems Center, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China.
| | - Tao Chen
- Robotics and Microsystems Center, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China.
| | - Yichong Hu
- Robotics and Microsystems Center, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China.
| | - Fuzhou Niu
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Xinyu Zheng
- Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haizhen Sun
- Robotics and Microsystems Center, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China.
| | - Liang Cheng
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Lining Sun
- Robotics and Microsystems Center, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cheng Y, Zhang S, Qin L, Zhao J, Song H, Yuan Y, Sun J, Tian F, Liu C. Poly(ethylene oxide) Concentration Gradient-Based Microfluidic Isolation of Circulating Tumor Cells. Anal Chem 2023; 95:3468-3475. [PMID: 36725367 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c05257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have emerged as promising circulating biomarkers for non-invasive cancer diagnosis and management. Isolation and detection of CTCs in clinical samples are challenging due to the extreme rarity and high heterogeneity of CTCs. Here, we describe a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) concentration gradient-based microfluidic method for rapid, label-free, highly efficient isolation of CTCs directly from whole blood samples. Stable concentration gradients of PEO were formed within the microchannel by co-injecting the side fluid (blood sample spiked with 0.025% PEO) and center fluid (0.075% PEO solution). The competition between the elastic lift force and the inertial lift force enabled size-based separation of large CTCs and small blood cells based on their distinct migration patterns. The microfluidic device could process 1 mL of blood sample in 30 min, with a separation efficiency of >90% and an enrichment ratio of >700 for tumor cells. The isolated CTCs from blood samples were enumerated by immunofluorescence staining, allowing for discrimination of breast cancer patients from healthy donors with an accuracy of 84.2%. The concentration gradient-based microfluidic separation provides a powerful tool for label-free isolation of CTCs for a wide range of clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yangchang Cheng
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for BioNanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China.,School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shaohua Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Senior Department of Oncology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Lili Qin
- Department of Oncology, Senior Department of Oncology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Junxiang Zhao
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for BioNanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China.,School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hua Song
- Department of Oncology, Senior Department of Oncology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yang Yuan
- Department of Oncology, Senior Department of Oncology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Jiashu Sun
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for BioNanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China.,School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fei Tian
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for BioNanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China.,School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for BioNanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China.,School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| |
Collapse
|