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Cremaschini S, Torriero N, Maceri C, Poles M, Cleve S, Crestani B, Meggiolaro A, Pierno M, Mistura G, Brun P, Ferraro D. Magnetic Stirring Device for Limiting the Sedimentation of Cells inside Microfluidic Devices. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:5014. [PMID: 39124061 PMCID: PMC11314744 DOI: 10.3390/s24155014] [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: 06/28/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
In experiments considering cell handling in microchannels, cell sedimentation in the storage container is a key problem because it affects the reproducibility of the experiments. Here, a simple and low-cost cell mixing device (CMD) is presented; the device is designed to prevent the sedimentation of cells in a syringe during their injection into a microfluidic channel. The CMD is based on a slider crank device made of 3D-printed parts that, combined with a permanent magnet, actuate a stir bar placed into the syringe containing the cells. By using A549 cell lines, the device is characterized in terms of cell viability (higher than 95%) in different mixing conditions, by varying the oscillation frequency and the overall mixing time. Then, a dedicated microfluidic experiment is designed to evaluate the injection frequency of the cells within a microfluidic chip. In the presence of the CMD, a higher number of cells are injected into the microfluidic chip with respect to the static conditions (2.5 times), proving that it contrasts cell sedimentation and allows accurate cell handling. For these reasons, the CMD can be useful in microfluidic experiments involving single-cell analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Noemi Torriero
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Chiara Maceri
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Maria Poles
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37124 Verona, Italy
| | - Sarah Cleve
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Beatrice Crestani
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Alessio Meggiolaro
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Matteo Pierno
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Mistura
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Paola Brun
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Davide Ferraro
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
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DeAngelis MA, Ruder WC, LeDuc PR. An embedded microfluidic valve for dynamic control of cellular communication. APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS 2023; 123:244103. [PMID: 38094664 PMCID: PMC10715818 DOI: 10.1063/5.0172538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
The communication between different cell populations is an important aspect of many natural phenomena that can be studied with microfluidics. Using microfluidic valves, these complex interactions can be studied with a higher level of control by placing a valve between physically separated populations. However, most current valve designs do not display the properties necessary for this type of system, such as providing variable flow rate when embedded inside a microfluidic device. While some valves have been shown to have such tunable behavior, they have not been used for dynamic, real-time outputs. We present an electric solenoid valve that can be fabricated completely outside of a cleanroom and placed into any microfluidic device to offer control of dynamic fluid flow rates and profiles. After characterizing the behavior of this valve under controlled test conditions, we developed a regression model to determine the required input electrical signal to provide the solenoid the ability to create a desired flow profile. With this model, we demonstrated that the valve could be controlled to replicate a desired, time-varying pattern for the interface position of a co-laminar fluid stream. Our approach can be performed by other investigators with their microfluidic devices to produce predictable, dynamic fluidic behavior. In addition to modulating fluid flows, this work will be impactful for controlling cellular communication between distinct populations or even chemical reactions occurring in microfluidic channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A. DeAngelis
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
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Trinh TND, Do HDK, Nam NN, Dan TT, Trinh KTL, Lee NY. Droplet-Based Microfluidics: Applications in Pharmaceuticals. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:937. [PMID: 37513850 PMCID: PMC10385691 DOI: 10.3390/ph16070937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Droplet-based microfluidics offer great opportunities for applications in various fields, such as diagnostics, food sciences, and drug discovery. A droplet provides an isolated environment for performing a single reaction within a microscale-volume sample, allowing for a fast reaction with a high sensitivity, high throughput, and low risk of cross-contamination. Owing to several remarkable features, droplet-based microfluidic techniques have been intensively studied. In this review, we discuss the impact of droplet microfluidics, particularly focusing on drug screening and development. In addition, we surveyed various methods of device fabrication and droplet generation/manipulation. We further highlight some promising studies covering drug synthesis and delivery that were updated within the last 5 years. This review provides researchers with a quick guide that includes the most up-to-date and relevant information on the latest scientific findings on the development of droplet-based microfluidics in the pharmaceutical field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi Ngoc Diep Trinh
- Department of Materials Science, School of Applied Chemistry, Tra Vinh University, Tra Vinh City 87000, Vietnam
| | - Hoang Dang Khoa Do
- NTT Hi-Tech Institute, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ward 13, District 04, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Nhat Nam
- Biotechnology Center, School of Agriculture and Aquaculture, Tra Vinh University, Tra Vinh City 87000, Vietnam
| | - Thach Thi Dan
- Department of Materials Science, School of Applied Chemistry, Tra Vinh University, Tra Vinh City 87000, Vietnam
| | - Kieu The Loan Trinh
- BioNano Applications Research Center, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnam-daero, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Nae Yoon Lee
- Department of BioNano Technology, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnam-daero, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si 13120, Republic of Korea
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Poles M, Meggiolaro A, Cremaschini S, Marinello F, Filippi D, Pierno M, Mistura G, Ferraro D. Shaking Device for Homogeneous Dispersion of Magnetic Beads in Droplet Microfluidics. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:5399. [PMID: 37420565 DOI: 10.3390/s23125399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Magnetic beads (or particles) having a size between 1 and 5 µm are largely used in many biochemical assays devoted to both purification and quantification of cells, nucleic acids, or proteins. Unfortunately, the use of these beads within microfluidic devices suffers from natural precipitation because of their size and density. The strategies applied thus far to cells or polymeric particles cannot be extended to magnetic beads, mainly due to their magnetization and their higher densities. We report an effective shaking device capable of preventing the sedimentation of beads that are stored in a custom PCR tube. After the characterization of the operating principle, the device is validated for magnetic beads in droplets, leading to an equal distribution between the droplets, barely affecting their generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Poles
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padua, Via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Alessio Meggiolaro
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padua, Via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Sebastian Cremaschini
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padua, Via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Filippo Marinello
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padua, Via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Daniele Filippi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padua, Via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Matteo Pierno
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padua, Via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Mistura
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padua, Via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Davide Ferraro
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padua, Via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padua, Italy
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Zhu P. Editorial for the Special Issue on Droplet-Based Microfluidics: Design, Fabrication, and Applications. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:693. [PMID: 36985100 PMCID: PMC10053248 DOI: 10.3390/mi14030693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidics is a rapidly growing field of research that involves the manipulation and analysis of fluids in small-scale channels, usually with dimensions ranging from sub-micrometer to sub-millimeter [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingan Zhu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
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