1
|
Jiang L, Guo K, Chen Y, Xiang N. Droplet Microfluidics for Current Cancer Research: From Single-Cell Analysis to 3D Cell Culture. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:1335-1354. [PMID: 38420753 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c01866] [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: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Differences in drug resistance and treatment response caused by the heterogeneity of cancer cells are the primary reasons for poor cancer therapy outcomes in patients. In addition, current in vitro anticancer drug-screening methods rely on two-dimensional monolayer-cultured cancer cells, which cannot accurately predict drug behavior in vivo. Therefore, a powerful tool to study the heterogeneity of cancer cells and produce effective in vitro tumor models is warranted to leverage cancer research. Droplet microfluidics has become a powerful platform for the single-cell analysis of cancer cells and three-dimensional cell culture of in vitro tumor spheroids. In this review, we discuss the use of droplet microfluidics in cancer research. Droplet microfluidic technologies, including single- or double-emulsion droplet generation and passive- or active-droplet manipulation, are concisely discussed. Recent advances in droplet microfluidics for single-cell analysis of cancer cells, circulating tumor cells, and scaffold-free/based 3D cell culture of tumor spheroids have been systematically introduced. Finally, the challenges that must be overcome for the further application of droplet microfluidics in cancer research are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Jiang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Kefan Guo
- School of Mechanical Engineering, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Yao Chen
- School of Mechanical Engineering, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Nan Xiang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cheng G, Xiao Q, Kuan CY, Ho YP. On-demand light-driven release of droplets stabilized via a photoresponsive fluorosurfactant. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2023; 9:89. [PMID: 37448968 PMCID: PMC10336138 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-023-00567-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Water-in-oil droplets have emerged as promising microreactors for high-throughput biochemical analysis due to their features of reduced sample consumption and automated operation. For a typical screening application, droplets are often trapped for continuous monitoring of the reaction over an extended period, followed by the selective retrieval of targeted droplets based on the after-effect of biochemical reactions. While techniques for droplet trapping are well developed, retrieval of targeted droplets mainly demands complicated device fabrication or sophisticated control. Herein, facile and rapid selective droplet release is achieved by utilizing a new class of photoresponsive fluorosurfactant based on plasmonic nanoparticles. The intense photothermal response provided by this novel photoresponsive fluorosurfactant is capable of vaporizing the fluorocarbon oil at the droplet interface under laser illumination, resulting in a bubble releasing a trapped droplet on demand. A fully automated fluorescence-activated droplet release platform has also been developed to demonstrate its potential for droplet-based large-scale screening applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guangyao Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Qinru Xiao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chit Yau Kuan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yi-Ping Ho
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Novel Biomaterials, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Hong Kong Branch of CAS Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077 China
- The Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Regeneration Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jiang L, Yang H, Cheng W, Ni Z, Xiang N. Droplet microfluidics for CTC-based liquid biopsy: a review. Analyst 2023; 148:203-221. [PMID: 36508171 DOI: 10.1039/d2an01747d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are important biomarkers of liquid biopsy. The number and heterogeneity of CTCs play an important role in cancer diagnosis and personalized medicine. However, owing to the low-abundance biomarkers of CTCs, conventional assays are only able to detect CTCs at the population level. Therefore, there is a pressing need for a highly sensitive method to analyze CTCs at the single-cell level. As an important branch of microfluidics, droplet microfluidics is a high-throughput and sensitive single-cell analysis platform for the quantitative detection and heterogeneity analysis of CTCs. In this review, we focus on the quantitative detection and heterogeneity analysis of CTCs using droplet microfluidics. Technologies that enable droplet microfluidics, particularly high-throughput droplet generation and high-efficiency droplet manipulation, are first discussed. Then, recent advances in detecting and analyzing CTCs using droplet microfluidics from the different aspects of nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites are introduced. The purpose of this review is to provide guidance for the continued study of droplet microfluidics for CTC-based liquid biopsy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Jiang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China.
| | - Hang Yang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China.
| | - Weiqi Cheng
- School of Mechanical Engineering, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China.
| | - Zhonghua Ni
- School of Mechanical Engineering, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China.
| | - Nan Xiang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Shao F, Lee PW, Li H, Hsieh K, Wang TH. Emerging platforms for high-throughput enzymatic bioassays. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:120-133. [PMID: 35863950 PMCID: PMC9789168 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Enzymes have essential roles in catalyzing biological reactions and maintaining metabolic systems. Many in vitro enzymatic bioassays have been developed for use in industrial and research fields, such as cell biology, enzyme engineering, drug screening, and biofuel production. Of note, many of these require the use of high-throughput platforms. Although the microtiter plate remains the standard for high-throughput enzymatic bioassays, microfluidic arrays and droplet microfluidics represent emerging methods. Each has seen significant advances and offers distinct advantages; however, drawbacks in key performance metrics, including reagent consumption, reaction manipulation, reaction recovery, real-time measurement, concentration gradient range, and multiplexity, remain. Herein, we compare recent high-throughput platforms using the aforementioned metrics as criteria and provide insights into remaining challenges and future research trends.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fangchi Shao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Pei-Wei Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kuangwen Hsieh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tza-Huei Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Biomolecular condensate phase diagrams with a combinatorial microdroplet platform. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7845. [PMID: 36543777 PMCID: PMC9768726 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35265-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The assembly of biomolecules into condensates is a fundamental process underlying the organisation of the intracellular space and the regulation of many cellular functions. Mapping and characterising phase behaviour of biomolecules is essential to understand the mechanisms of condensate assembly, and to develop therapeutic strategies targeting biomolecular condensate systems. A central concept for characterising phase-separating systems is the phase diagram. Phase diagrams are typically built from numerous individual measurements sampling different parts of the parameter space. However, even when performed in microwell plate format, this process is slow, low throughput and requires significant sample consumption. To address this challenge, we present here a combinatorial droplet microfluidic platform, termed PhaseScan, for rapid and high-resolution acquisition of multidimensional biomolecular phase diagrams. Using this platform, we characterise the phase behaviour of a wide range of systems under a variety of conditions and demonstrate that this approach allows the quantitative characterisation of the effect of small molecules on biomolecular phase transitions.
Collapse
|
6
|
Suo Y, Yin W, Wu W, Cao W, Zhu Q, Mu Y. A large-scale pico-droplet array for viable bacteria digital counting and dynamic tracking based on a thermosetting oil. Analyst 2022; 147:3305-3314. [DOI: 10.1039/d2an00680d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A simple and rapid method was developed for real-time monitoring and digital counting of bacterial growth, and it can provide dynamic information at high resolution in the process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanjie Suo
- Research Centre for Analytical Instrumentation, Institute of Cyber-Systems and Control, State Key Laboratory of Industrial Control Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310027, PR China
| | - Weihong Yin
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310058, PR China
| | - Wenshuai Wu
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310058, PR China
| | - Wenjian Cao
- Research Centre for Analytical Instrumentation, Institute of Cyber-Systems and Control, State Key Laboratory of Industrial Control Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310027, PR China
| | - Qiangyuan Zhu
- Research Centre for Analytical Instrumentation, Institute of Cyber-Systems and Control, State Key Laboratory of Industrial Control Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310027, PR China
| | - Ying Mu
- Research Centre for Analytical Instrumentation, Institute of Cyber-Systems and Control, State Key Laboratory of Industrial Control Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310027, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kerk YJ, Jameel A, Xing X, Zhang C. Recent advances of integrated microfluidic suspension cell culture system. ENGINEERING BIOLOGY 2021; 5:103-119. [PMID: 36970555 PMCID: PMC9996741 DOI: 10.1049/enb2.12015] [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: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Microfluidic devices with superior microscale fluid manipulation ability and large integration flexibility offer great advantages of high throughput, parallelisation and multifunctional automation. Such features have been extensively utilised to facilitate cell culture processes such as cell capturing and culturing under controllable and monitored conditions for cell-based assays. Incorporating functional components and microfabricated configurations offered different levels of fluid control and cell manipulation strategies to meet diverse culture demands. This review will discuss the advances of single-phase flow and droplet-based integrated microfluidic suspension cell culture systems and their applications for accelerated bioprocess development, high-throughput cell selection, drug screening and scientific research to insight cell biology. Challenges and future prospects for this dynamically developing field are also highlighted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Jing Kerk
- Institute of Biochemical EngineeringDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Aysha Jameel
- Institute of Biochemical EngineeringDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- MOE Key Laboratory of Industrial BiocatalysisDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xin‐Hui Xing
- Institute of Biochemical EngineeringDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- MOE Key Laboratory of Industrial BiocatalysisDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- Center for Synthetic and Systems BiologyTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Chong Zhang
- Institute of Biochemical EngineeringDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- MOE Key Laboratory of Industrial BiocatalysisDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- Center for Synthetic and Systems BiologyTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Geiger F, Acker J, Papa G, Wang X, Arter WE, Saar KL, Erkamp NA, Qi R, Bravo JPK, Strauss S, Krainer G, Burrone OR, Jungmann R, Knowles TPJ, Engelke H, Borodavka A. Liquid-liquid phase separation underpins the formation of replication factories in rotaviruses. EMBO J 2021; 40:e107711. [PMID: 34524703 PMCID: PMC8561643 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021107711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA viruses induce the formation of subcellular organelles that provide microenvironments conducive to their replication. Here we show that replication factories of rotaviruses represent protein-RNA condensates that are formed via liquid-liquid phase separation of the viroplasm-forming proteins NSP5 and rotavirus RNA chaperone NSP2. Upon mixing, these proteins readily form condensates at physiologically relevant low micromolar concentrations achieved in the cytoplasm of virus-infected cells. Early infection stage condensates could be reversibly dissolved by 1,6-hexanediol, as well as propylene glycol that released rotavirus transcripts from these condensates. During the early stages of infection, propylene glycol treatments reduced viral replication and phosphorylation of the condensate-forming protein NSP5. During late infection, these condensates exhibited altered material properties and became resistant to propylene glycol, coinciding with hyperphosphorylation of NSP5. Some aspects of the assembly of cytoplasmic rotavirus replication factories mirror the formation of other ribonucleoprotein granules. Such viral RNA-rich condensates that support replication of multi-segmented genomes represent an attractive target for developing novel therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florian Geiger
- Department of ChemistryLudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität MünchenMunichGermany
| | - Julia Acker
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Guido Papa
- International Center for Genetic Engineering and BiotechnologyTriesteItaly
- Present address:
Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology (MRC LMB)CambridgeUK
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | | | - Kadi L Saar
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Nadia A Erkamp
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Runzhang Qi
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Jack PK Bravo
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Present address:
Department of Molecular BiosciencesUniversity of Texas at AustinAustinTXUSA
| | - Sebastian Strauss
- Department of Physics and Center for NanoscienceMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMunichGermany
| | - Georg Krainer
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Oscar R Burrone
- International Center for Genetic Engineering and BiotechnologyTriesteItaly
| | - Ralf Jungmann
- Department of Physics and Center for NanoscienceMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMunichGermany
| | | | - Hanna Engelke
- Department of ChemistryLudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität MünchenMunichGermany
- Institute of Pharmaceutical SciencesKarl‐Franzens‐Universität GrazGrazAustria
| | - Alexander Borodavka
- Department of ChemistryLudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität MünchenMunichGermany
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Department of Physics and Center for NanoscienceMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMunichGermany
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
He Y, Lu Z, Fan H, Zhang T. A photofabricated honeycomb micropillar array for loss-free trapping of microfluidic droplets and application to digital PCR. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:3933-3941. [PMID: 34636815 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc00629k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Droplet microfluidics is a promising platform for various biological and biomedical applications. Among which, droplet-based digital PCR (ddPCR) is one of the most challenging examples, with practical issues involving possible fusion/fission of droplets during PCR thermocycling and difficulties of indexing them for real-time monitoring. While spatially trapped droplet arrays may be helpful, they currently are either of low trapping density or suffer from high droplet loss. In this paper, we, for the first time, report a photofabricated honeycomb micropillar array (PHMA) for high-density and loss-free droplet trapping. By rationally designing high-aspect-ratio micropillars into a honeycomb configuration, droplets can be captured at a density of 160-250 droplets per mm2 and, more interestingly, without any loss. The PHMA device can be fabricated from several photocurable materials, with one gasproof photopolymer being optimally selected herein to enable the simple design to avoid sample evaporation and tedious surface modification, thereby making the fabrication very convenient. Moreover, by using a photocurable oil as a continuous phase, the trapped droplets can be further immobilized, and thus, become more stable even in PCR thermocycling. With these features, the proposed PHMA has shown promising potential in ddPCR, and is expected to find a wide range of applications in various biological and biomedical research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu He
- Research Center for Analytical Instrumentation, Institute of Cyber-Systems and Control, State Key Laboratory of Industrial Control Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310023, China.
| | - Zefan Lu
- Research Center for Analytical Instrumentation, Institute of Cyber-Systems and Control, State Key Laboratory of Industrial Control Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310023, China.
| | - Hongliang Fan
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Institute of Hygiene, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou 310013, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Research Center for Analytical Instrumentation, Institute of Cyber-Systems and Control, State Key Laboratory of Industrial Control Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310023, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Duchamp M, Arnaud M, Bobisse S, Coukos G, Harari A, Renaud P. Microfluidic Device for Droplet Pairing by Combining Droplet Railing and Floating Trap Arrays. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:1076. [PMID: 34577720 PMCID: PMC8470175 DOI: 10.3390/mi12091076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Droplet microfluidics are characterized by the generation and manipulation of discrete volumes of solutions, generated with the use of immiscible phases. Those droplets can then be controlled, transported, analyzed or their content modified. In this wide droplet microfluidic toolbox, no means are available to generate, in a controlled manner, droplets co-encapsulating to aqueous phases. Indeed, current methods rely on random co-encapsulation of two aqueous phases during droplet generation or the merging of two random droplets containing different aqueous phases. In this study, we present a novel droplet microfluidic device to reliably and efficiently co-encapsulate two different aqueous phases in micro-droplets. In order to achieve this, we combined existing droplet microfluidic modules in a novel way. The different aqueous phases are individually encapsulated in droplets of different sizes. Those droplet populations are then filtered in order to position each droplet type towards its adequate trapping compartment in traps of a floating trap array. Single droplets, each containing a different aqueous phase, are thus paired and then merged. This pairing at high efficiency is achieved thanks to a unique combination of floating trap arrays, a droplet railing system and a droplet size-based filtering mechanism. The microfluidic chip design presented here provides a filtering threshold with droplets larger than 35 μm (big droplets) being deviated to the lower rail while droplets smaller than 20 μm (small droplets) remain on the upper rail. The effects of the rail height and the distance between the two (upper and lower) rails were investigated. The optimal trap dimensions provide a trapping efficiency of 100% for small and big droplets with a limited double trapping (both compartments of the traps filled with the same droplet type) of 5%. The use of electrocoalescence enables the generation of a droplet while co-encapsulating two aqueous phases. Using the presented microfluidic device libraries of 300 droplets, dual aqueous content can be generated in less than 30 min.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margaux Duchamp
- Laboratory of Microsystems LMIS4, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland;
| | - Marion Arnaud
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Lausanne, Switzerland; (M.A.); (S.B.); (G.C.); (A.H.)
| | - Sara Bobisse
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Lausanne, Switzerland; (M.A.); (S.B.); (G.C.); (A.H.)
| | - George Coukos
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Lausanne, Switzerland; (M.A.); (S.B.); (G.C.); (A.H.)
| | - Alexandre Harari
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Lausanne, Switzerland; (M.A.); (S.B.); (G.C.); (A.H.)
| | - Philippe Renaud
- Laboratory of Microsystems LMIS4, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland;
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zhu F, He Y, Lu Z, Fan H, Zhang T. Composite Elastomer-Enabled Rapid Photofabrication of Microfluidic Devices. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:37589-37597. [PMID: 34327981 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c06143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidics, as an emerging technology, is highly dependent on the evolution of device materials and fabrication techniques. While replica molding of polydimethylsiloxane and hot embossing/injection molding of thermoplastics are most popular, they are either hard to scale up or inappropriate for laboratory-scale prototyping. Recently, photocurable resins, as a huge class of materials, have attracted extensive interest. However, very few of them can now be used in device fabrication due to the challenge in machining these materials. In response, we herein propose a novel concept of composite elastomers, which can covalently link with and consequently offer a flexible support to photocured thin films. This effect would allow most photocurable resins to be used in microfluidic device fabrication, greatly enriching the material choices for diverse applications. Moreover, the whole fabrication process becomes very simple and rapid, with an impressive throughput of at least hundreds of replicas per day. With these features, it is reasonably expected that the composite elastomer-enabled rapid photofabrication method will be very competent for laboratory prototyping, providing not only the ease of fabrication but also a possibility to select the materials specifically for ultimate applications and promising potential for volume production without the redevelopment process. These may offer a good opportunity to narrow the current gap between academic research and industrial practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Futianchun Zhu
- Research Center for Analytical Instrumentation, Institute of Cyber-Systems and Control, State Key Laboratory of Industrial Control Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310023, China
| | - Yu He
- Research Center for Analytical Instrumentation, Institute of Cyber-Systems and Control, State Key Laboratory of Industrial Control Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310023, China
| | - Zefan Lu
- Research Center for Analytical Instrumentation, Institute of Cyber-Systems and Control, State Key Laboratory of Industrial Control Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310023, China
| | - Hongliang Fan
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Institute of Hygiene, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou 310013, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Research Center for Analytical Instrumentation, Institute of Cyber-Systems and Control, State Key Laboratory of Industrial Control Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310023, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Loveday EK, Zath GK, Bikos DA, Jay ZJ, Chang CB. Screening of Additive Formulations Enables Off-Chip Drop Reverse Transcription Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction of Single Influenza A Virus Genomes. Anal Chem 2021; 93:4365-4373. [PMID: 33635052 PMCID: PMC10016143 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c03455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The miniaturization of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using drop-based microfluidics allows for amplification of single nucleic acids in aqueous picoliter-sized drops. Accurate data collection during PCR requires that drops remain stable to coalescence during thermocycling and drop contents are retained. Following systematic testing of known PCR additives, we identified an optimized formulation of 1% w/v Tween-20, 0.8 μg/μL bovine serum albumin, 1 M betaine in the aqueous phase, and 3 wt % (w/w) of the polyethylene glycol-perfluoropolyether2 surfactant in the oil phase of 50 μm diameter drops that maintains drop stability and prevents dye transport. This formulation enables a method we call off-chip drop reverse transcription quantitative PCR (OCD RT-qPCR) in which drops are thermocycled in a qPCR machine and sampled at various cycle numbers "off-chip", or outside of a microfluidic chip. qPCR amplification curves constructed from hundreds of individual drops using OCD RT-qPCR and imaged using epifluorescence microscopy correlate with amplification curves of ≈300,000 drops thermocycled using a qPCR machine. To demonstrate the utility of OCD RT-qPCR, influenza A virus (IAV) RNA was detected down to a single viral genome copy per drop, or 0.320 cpd. This work was extended to perform multiplexed detection of IAV M gene RNA and cellular β-actin DNA in drops, and direct amplification of IAV genomes from infected cells without a separate RNA extraction step. The optimized additive formulation and the OCD-qPCR method allow for drop-based RT-qPCR without complex devices and demonstrate the ability to quantify individual or rare nucleic acid species within drops with minimal processing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma Kate Loveday
- Center for Biofilm Engineering and the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, United States
| | - Geoffrey K Zath
- Center for Biofilm Engineering and the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, United States
| | - Dimitri A Bikos
- Center for Biofilm Engineering and the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, United States
| | - Zackary J Jay
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, United States
| | - Connie B Chang
- Center for Biofilm Engineering and the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, United States
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Method for Passive Droplet Sorting after Photo-Tagging. MICROMACHINES 2020; 11:mi11110964. [PMID: 33126559 PMCID: PMC7692103 DOI: 10.3390/mi11110964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
We present a method to photo-tag individual microfluidic droplets for latter selection by passive sorting. The use of a specific surfactant leads to the interfacial tension to be very sensitive to droplet pH. The photoexcitation of droplets containing a photoacid, pyranine, leads to a decrease in droplet pH. The concurrent increase in droplet interfacial tension enables the passive selection of irradiated droplets. The technique is used to select individual droplets within a droplet array as illuminated droplets remain in the wells while other droplets are eluted by the flow of the external oil. This method was used to select droplets in an array containing cells at a specific stage of apoptosis. The technique is also adaptable to continuous-flow sorting. By passing confined droplets over a microfabricated trench positioned diagonally in relation to the direction of flow, photo-tagged droplets were directed toward a different chip exit based on their lateral movement. The technique can be performed on a conventional fluorescence microscope and uncouples the observation and selection of droplets, thus enabling the selection on a large variety of signals, or based on qualitative user-defined features.
Collapse
|
14
|
Han SH, Kim J, Lee D. Static array of droplets and on-demand recovery for biological assays. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2020; 14:051302. [PMID: 32952764 PMCID: PMC7494362 DOI: 10.1063/5.0022383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidics has revolutionized several research areas by providing compact yet powerful microanalytical devices that in many cases outperform conventional systems. Among different microfluidics technologies, droplet microfluidics has emerged as a powerful platform to enable analyses of biological samples and phenomena because of its simplicity and versatility. Droplet microfluidics enables high-throughput encapsulation, manipulation, and analysis of single cells while drastically reducing the cost and time required by conventional technologies. For many of these microanalysis systems, manipulation of individual droplets is extremely important as it enables multiplexed high dimensional phenotyping of the targets, going beyond surface phenotyping. One of the key manipulation steps that needs to be implemented with high precision is enabling long-term observation of droplets and recovery of a subset of these droplets for further analysis. This Perspective highlights the recent advances and provides an outlook on future developments that will enable highly complex analyses of biological samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Syung Hun Han
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Junhyong Kim
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Daeyeon Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Linsenmeier M, Kopp MRG, Stavrakis S, de Mello A, Arosio P. Analysis of biomolecular condensates and protein phase separation with microfluidic technology. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2020; 1868:118823. [PMID: 32800925 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2020.118823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
An increasing body of evidence shows that membraneless organelles are key components in cellular organization. These observations open a variety of outstanding questions about the physico-chemical rules underlying their assembly, disassembly and functions. Some molecular determinants of biomolecular condensates are challenging to probe and understand in complex in vivo systems. Minimalistic in vitro reconstitution approaches can fill this gap, mimicking key biological features, while maintaining sufficient simplicity to enable the analysis of fundamental aspects of biomolecular condensates. In this context, microfluidic technologies are highly attractive tools for the analysis of biomolecular phase transitions. In addition to enabling high-throughput measurements on small sample volumes, microfluidic tools provide for exquisite control of self-assembly in both time and space, leading to accurate quantitative analysis of biomolecular phase transitions. Here, with a specific focus on droplet-based microfluidics, we describe the advantages of microfluidic technology for the analysis of several aspects of phase separation. These include phase diagrams, dynamics of assembly and disassembly, rheological and surface properties, exchange of materials with the surrounding environment and the coupling between compartmentalization and biochemical reactions. We illustrate these concepts with selected examples, ranging from simple solutions of individual proteins to more complex mixtures of proteins and RNA, which represent synthetic models of biological membraneless organelles. Finally, we discuss how this technology may impact the bottom-up fabrication of synthetic artificial cells and for the development of synthetic protein materials in biotechnology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Linsenmeier
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Marie R G Kopp
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Stavros Stavrakis
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Andrew de Mello
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Paolo Arosio
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Luan Q, Macaraniag C, Zhou J, Papautsky I. Microfluidic systems for hydrodynamic trapping of cells and clusters. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2020; 14:031502. [PMID: 34992704 PMCID: PMC8719525 DOI: 10.1063/5.0002866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic devices have been widely applied to trapping and isolation of cells and clusters for controllable intercellular environments and high-throughput analysis, triggering numerous advances in disease diagnosis and single-cell analysis. Passive hydrodynamic cell trapping is one of the simple and effective methods that has been gaining attention in recent years. Our aim here is to review the existing passive microfluidic trapping approaches, including microposts, microfiltration, microwells, and trapping chambers, with emphasis on design principles and performance. We summarize the remarkable advances that hydrodynamic trapping methods offer, as well as the existing challenges and prospects for development. Finally, we hope that an improved understanding of hydrodynamic trapping approaches can lead to sophisticated and useful platforms to advance medical and biological research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiyue Luan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
| | - Celine Macaraniag
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
| | | | - Ian Papautsky
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:. Tel.: +1 312 413 3800
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Kopp MRG, Linsenmeier M, Hettich B, Prantl S, Stavrakis S, Leroux JC, Arosio P. Microfluidic Shrinking Droplet Concentrator for Analyte Detection and Phase Separation of Protein Solutions. Anal Chem 2020; 92:5803-5812. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b05329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marie R. G. Kopp
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Miriam Linsenmeier
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Britta Hettich
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Prantl
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Stavros Stavrakis
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Christophe Leroux
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Paolo Arosio
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Han SH, Choi Y, Kim J, Lee D. Photoactivated Selective Release of Droplets from Microwell Arrays. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:3936-3944. [PMID: 31912738 PMCID: PMC7207024 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b17575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Droplet microfluidics has enabled a significant reduction in reaction volume and analysis time, which in turn has led to transformative advances in high-capacity screening and assays. By arranging droplets into a static array, it is possible to monitor dynamic events that occur within these microchambers over an extended period of time, facilitating the identification of rare events and cell types. In many instances, it is highly desirable to recover a small number of droplets that contain unique analytes or cells for further analyses; however, few techniques allow for selective recovery of droplets from such an array without using a complex network of physical valves, which also require a large number of control units external to the microfluidic device. In this report, we present photoactivated selective release of droplets from a static microwell array enabled by a photoresponsive polymer layer integrated into the microfluidic device. This photoresponsive layer is placed in between a microwell array that traps a large number of droplets and a PDMS slab with or without a top flow channel that can be used for recovery. By using focused light, the photoresponsive layer can either be punctured for release-up recovery or induced to create a bubble by local heating to selectively push-down release droplets. We show that the photoresponsive layer is optically transparent within the visible spectrum and thus does not interfere with optical observation of droplets. The type of photoacoustic dye and the physical properties of the photoresponsive layer can be engineered to induce either puncture of the photoresponsive layer or pushing of droplets out of the microwell arrays with low thermal impact on the droplets. We believe that the photoresponsive layer will have a broad impact in the field of soft lithography-based microfluidic devices for various applications including photoresponsive valves as well as high-throughput single-cell sequencing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Syung Hun Han
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Yongwon Choi
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Junhyong Kim
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Corresponding Authors (J.K.)., (D.L.)
| | - Daeyeon Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Corresponding Authors (J.K.)., (D.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
O’Keefe CM, Kaushik AM, Wang TH. Highly Efficient Real-Time Droplet Analysis Platform for High-Throughput Interrogation of DNA Sequences by Melt. Anal Chem 2019; 91:11275-11282. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b02346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christine M. O’Keefe
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Aniruddha M. Kaushik
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Tza-Huei Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Agarose-based microwell array chip for high-throughput screening of functional microorganisms. Talanta 2019; 191:342-349. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2018.08.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
21
|
Segaliny AI, Li G, Kong L, Ren C, Chen X, Wang JK, Baltimore D, Wu G, Zhao W. Functional TCR T cell screening using single-cell droplet microfluidics. LAB ON A CHIP 2018; 18:3733-3749. [PMID: 30397689 PMCID: PMC6279597 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00818c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive T cell transfer, in particular TCR T cell therapy, holds great promise for cancer immunotherapy with encouraging clinical results. However, finding the right TCR T cell clone is a tedious, time-consuming, and costly process. Thus, there is a critical need for single cell technologies to conduct fast and multiplexed functional analyses followed by recovery of the clone of interest. Here, we use droplet microfluidics for functional screening and real-time monitoring of single TCR T cell activation upon recognition of target tumor cells. Notably, our platform includes a tracking system for each clone as well as a sorting procedure with 100% specificity validated by downstream single cell reverse-transcription PCR and sequencing of TCR chains. Our TCR screening prototype will facilitate immunotherapeutic screening and development of T cell therapies.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Antigens, Neoplasm/chemistry
- Antigens, Neoplasm/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Equipment Design
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive
- Microfluidic Analytical Techniques/instrumentation
- Neoplasms/therapy
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/analysis
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/chemistry
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Single-Cell Analysis/instrumentation
- Single-Cell Analysis/methods
- T-Lymphocytes/chemistry
- T-Lymphocytes/cytology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/transplantation
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aude I. Segaliny
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Edwards Life Sciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
| | - Guideng Li
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, U.S.A
- Center of Systems Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
- Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Lingshun Kong
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Edwards Life Sciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
| | - Ci Ren
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Edwards Life Sciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
| | - Xiaoming Chen
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Edwards Life Sciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
| | - Jessica K. Wang
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, U.S.A
| | - David Baltimore
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, U.S.A
| | - Guikai Wu
- Amberstone Biosciences LLC, Irvine, CA 92617, U.S.A
| | - Weian Zhao
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Edwards Life Sciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
O’Keefe CM, Pisanic TR, Zec H, Overman MJ, Herman JG, Wang TH. Facile profiling of molecular heterogeneity by microfluidic digital melt. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2018; 4:eaat6459. [PMID: 30263958 PMCID: PMC6157960 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aat6459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
This work presents a digital microfluidic platform called HYPER-Melt (high-density profiling and enumeration by melt) for highly parallelized copy-by-copy DNA molecular profiling. HYPER-Melt provides a facile means of detecting and assessing sequence variations of thousands of individual DNA molecules through digitization in a nanowell microchip array, allowing amplification and interrogation of individual template molecules by detecting HRM fluorescence changes due to sequence-dependent denaturation. As a model application, HYPER-Melt is used here for the detection and assessment of intermolecular heterogeneity of DNA methylation within the promoters of classical tumor suppressor genes. The capabilities of this platform are validated through serial dilutions of mixed epialleles, with demonstrated detection limits as low as 1 methylated variant in 2 million unmethylated templates (0.00005%) of a classic tumor suppressor gene, CDKN2A (p14ARF). The clinical potential of the platform is demonstrated using a digital assay for NDRG4, a tumor suppressor gene that is commonly methylated in colorectal cancer, in liquid biopsies of healthy and colorectal cancer patients. Overall, the platform provides the depth of information, simplicity of use, and single-molecule sensitivity necessary for rapid assessment of intermolecular variation contributing to genetic and epigenetic heterogeneity for challenging applications in embryogenesis, carcinogenesis, and rare biomarker detection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christine M. O’Keefe
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Thomas R. Pisanic
- Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Helena Zec
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Michael J. Overman
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - James G. Herman
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Tza-Huei Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Corresponding author.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Chatzimichail S, Supramaniam P, Ces O, Salehi-Reyhani A. Counting Proteins in Single Cells with Addressable Droplet Microarrays. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 30035757 DOI: 10.3791/56110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Often cellular behavior and cellular responses are analyzed at the population level where the responses of many cells are pooled together as an average result masking the rich single cell behavior within a complex population. Single cell protein detection and quantification technologies have made a remarkable impact in recent years. Here we describe a practical and flexible single cell analysis platform based on addressable droplet microarrays. This study describes how the absolute copy numbers of target proteins may be measured with single cell resolution. The tumor suppressor p53 is the most commonly mutated gene in human cancer, with more than 50% of total cancer cases exhibiting a non-healthy p53 expression pattern. The protocol describes steps to create 10 nL droplets within which single human cancer cells are isolated and the copy number of p53 protein is measured with single molecule resolution to precisely determine the variability in expression. The method may be applied to any cell type including primary material to determine the absolute copy number of any target proteins of interest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Oscar Ces
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London
| | - Ali Salehi-Reyhani
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London;
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Ma YD, Luo K, Chang WH, Lee GB. A microfluidic chip capable of generating and trapping emulsion droplets for digital loop-mediated isothermal amplification analysis. LAB ON A CHIP 2018; 18:296-303. [PMID: 29188245 DOI: 10.1039/c7lc01004d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a nucleic acid amplification technique that rapidly amplifies specific DNA molecules at high yield. In this study, a microfluidic droplet array chip was designed to execute the digital LAMP process. The novel device was capable of 1) creating emulsion droplets, 2) sorting them into a 30 × 8 droplet array, and 3) executing LAMP across the 240 trapped and separated droplets (with a volume of 0.22 nL) after only 40 min of reaction at 56 °C. Nucleic acids were accurately quantified across a dynamic range of 50 to 2.5 × 103 DNA copies per μL, and the limit of detection was a single DNA molecule. This is the first time that an arrayed emulsion droplet microfluidic device has been used for digital LAMP analysis. When compared to microwell digital nucleic acid amplification assays, this droplet array-based digital LAMP assay eliminates the constraint on the size of the digitized target, which was determined by the dimension of the microwells for its counterparts. Moreover, the capacity for hydrodynamic droplet trapping allows the chip to operate in a one-droplet-to-one-trap manner. This microfluidic chip may therefore become a promising device for digital LAMP-based diagnostics in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Dong Ma
- Department of Power Mechanical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013 Taiwan.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Li Y, Yang X, Zhao W. Emerging Microtechnologies and Automated Systems for Rapid Bacterial Identification and Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing. SLAS Technol 2017; 22:585-608. [PMID: 28850804 DOI: 10.1177/2472630317727519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Rapid bacterial identification (ID) and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) are in great demand due to the rise of drug-resistant bacteria. Conventional culture-based AST methods suffer from a long turnaround time. By necessity, physicians often have to treat patients empirically with antibiotics, which has led to an inappropriate use of antibiotics, an elevated mortality rate and healthcare costs, and antibiotic resistance. Recent advances in miniaturization and automation provide promising solutions for rapid bacterial ID/AST profiling, which will potentially make a significant impact in the clinical management of infectious diseases and antibiotic stewardship in the coming years. In this review, we summarize and analyze representative emerging micro- and nanotechnologies, as well as automated systems for bacterial ID/AST, including both phenotypic (e.g., microfluidic-based bacterial culture, and digital imaging of single cells) and molecular (e.g., multiplex PCR, hybridization probes, nanoparticles, synthetic biology tools, mass spectrometry, and sequencing technologies) methods. We also discuss representative point-of-care (POC) systems that integrate sample processing, fluid handling, and detection for rapid bacterial ID/AST. Finally, we highlight major remaining challenges and discuss potential future endeavors toward improving clinical outcomes with rapid bacterial ID/AST technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiyan Li
- 1 Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.,7 Department of Physics and Engineering, Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Weian Zhao
- 1 Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.,6 Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Okochi M, Koike S, Tanaka M, Honda H. Detection of Her2-overexpressing cancer cells using keyhole shaped chamber array employing a magnetic droplet-handling system. Biosens Bioelectron 2017; 93:32-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2016.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
27
|
Xie J, Xu J, He X, Liu Q. Large scale generation of micro-droplet array by vapor condensation on mesh screen piece. Sci Rep 2017; 7:39932. [PMID: 28054635 PMCID: PMC5215635 DOI: 10.1038/srep39932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We developed a novel micro-droplet array system, which is based on the distinct three dimensional mesh screen structure and sintering and oxidation induced thermal-fluid performance. Mesh screen was sintered on a copper substrate by bonding the two components. Non-uniform residue stress is generated along weft wires, with larger stress on weft wire top location than elsewhere. Oxidation of the sintered package forms micro pits with few nanograsses on weft wire top location, due to the stress corrosion mechanism. Nanograsses grow elsewhere to show hydrophobic behavior. Thus, surface-energy-gradient weft wires are formed. Cooling the structure in a wet air environment nucleates water droplets on weft wire top location, which is more "hydrophilic" than elsewhere. Droplet size is well controlled by substrate temperature, air humidity and cooling time. Because warp wires do not contact copper substrate and there is a larger conductive thermal resistance between warp wire and weft wire, warp wires contribute less to condensation but function as supporting structure. The surface energy analysis of drops along weft wires explains why droplet array can be generated on the mesh screen piece. Because the commercial material is used, the droplet system is cost effective and can be used for large scale utilization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian Xie
- The Beijing Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow and Heat Transfer for Low Grade Energy Utilization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, P.R. China
| | - Jinliang Xu
- The Beijing Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow and Heat Transfer for Low Grade Energy Utilization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, P.R. China
| | - Xiaotian He
- The Beijing Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow and Heat Transfer for Low Grade Energy Utilization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, P.R. China
| | - Qi Liu
- The Beijing Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow and Heat Transfer for Low Grade Energy Utilization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|