1
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Khoo H, Allen WS, Arroyo-Currás N, Hur SC. Rapid prototyping of thermoplastic microfluidic devices via SLA 3D printing. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17646. [PMID: 39085631 PMCID: PMC11291766 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68761-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Microfluidic devices have immense potential for widespread community use, but a current bottleneck is the transition from research prototyping into mass production because the gold standard prototyping strategy is too costly and labor intensive when scaling up fabrication throughput. For increased throughput, it is common to mold devices out of thermoplastics due to low per-unit costs at high volumes. However, conventional fabrication methods have high upfront development expenses with slow mold fabrication methods that limit the speed of design evolution for expedited marketability. To overcome this limitation, we propose a rapid prototyping protocol to fabricate thermoplastic devices from a stereolithography (SLA) 3D printed template through intermediate steps akin to those employed in soft lithography. We apply this process towards the design of self-operating capillaric circuits, well suited for deployment as low-cost decentralized assays. Rapid development of these geometry- and material-dependent devices benefits from prototyping with thermoplastics. We validated the constructed capillaric circuits by performing an autonomous, pre-programmed, bead-based immunofluorescent assay for protein quantification. Overall, this prototyping method provides a valuable means for quickly iterating and refining microfluidic devices, paving the way for future scaling of production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrison Khoo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles ST., Latrobe 105, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | | | - Netzahualcóyotl Arroyo-Currás
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Institute of NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Soojung Claire Hur
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles ST., Latrobe 105, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA.
- Institute of NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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2
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Rodríguez CF, Báez-Suárez M, Muñoz-Camargo C, Reyes LH, Osma JF, Cruz JC. Zweifach-Fung Microfluidic Device for Efficient Microparticle Separation: Cost-Effective Fabrication Using CO 2 Laser-Ablated PMMA. MICROMACHINES 2024; 15:932. [PMID: 39064443 PMCID: PMC11278838 DOI: 10.3390/mi15070932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Microfluidic separators play a pivotal role in the biomedical and chemical industries by enabling precise fluid manipulations. Traditional fabrication of these devices typically requires costly cleanroom facilities, which limits their broader application. This study introduces a novel microfluidic device that leverages the passive Zweifach-Fung principle to overcome these financial barriers. Through Lagrangian computational simulations, we optimized an eleven-channel Zweifach-Fung configuration that achieved a perfect 100% recall rate for particles following a specified normal distribution. Experimental evaluations determined 2 mL/h as the optimal total flow rate (TFR), under which the device showcased exceptional performance enhancements in precision and recall for micrometer-sized particles, achieving an overall accuracy of 94% ± 3%. Fabricated using a cost-effective, non-cleanroom method, this approach represents a significant shift from conventional practices, dramatically reducing production costs while maintaining high operational efficacy. The cost of each chip is less than USD 0.90 cents and the manufacturing process takes only 15 min. The development of this device not only makes microfluidic technology more accessible but also sets a new standard for future advancements in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian F. Rodríguez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1E No. 19a-40, Bogotá 111711, Colombia; (C.F.R.); (M.B.-S.); (C.M.-C.); (J.F.O.)
- Neuroscience Group of Antioquia, Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Area, School of Medicine, SIU, University of Antioquia, Cl. 62 No. 52-59, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - Mateo Báez-Suárez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1E No. 19a-40, Bogotá 111711, Colombia; (C.F.R.); (M.B.-S.); (C.M.-C.); (J.F.O.)
| | - Carolina Muñoz-Camargo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1E No. 19a-40, Bogotá 111711, Colombia; (C.F.R.); (M.B.-S.); (C.M.-C.); (J.F.O.)
| | - Luis H. Reyes
- Grupo de Diseño de Productos y Procesos (GDPP), Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1E No. 19a-40, Bogotá 111711, Colombia;
| | - Johann F. Osma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1E No. 19a-40, Bogotá 111711, Colombia; (C.F.R.); (M.B.-S.); (C.M.-C.); (J.F.O.)
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1E No. 19a-40, Bogotá 111711, Colombia
| | - Juan C. Cruz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1E No. 19a-40, Bogotá 111711, Colombia; (C.F.R.); (M.B.-S.); (C.M.-C.); (J.F.O.)
- Grupo de Diseño de Productos y Procesos (GDPP), Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1E No. 19a-40, Bogotá 111711, Colombia;
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3
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Mika T, Kalnins M, Spalvins K. The use of droplet-based microfluidic technologies for accelerated selection of Yarrowia lipolytica and Phaffia rhodozyma yeast mutants. Biol Methods Protoc 2024; 9:bpae049. [PMID: 39114747 PMCID: PMC11303513 DOI: 10.1093/biomethods/bpae049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Microorganisms are widely used for the industrial production of various valuable products, such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, biofuels, enzymes, amino acids, vaccines, etc. Research is constantly carried out to improve their properties, mainly to increase their productivity and efficiency and reduce the cost of the processes. The selection of microorganisms with improved qualities takes a lot of time and resources (both human and material); therefore, this process itself needs optimization. In the last two decades, microfluidics technology appeared in bioengineering, which allows for manipulating small particles (from tens of microns to nanometre scale) in the flow of liquid in microchannels. The technology is based on small-volume objects (microdroplets from nano to femtolitres), which are manipulated using a microchip. The chip is made of an optically transparent inert to liquid medium material and contains a series of channels of small size (<1 mm) of certain geometry. Based on the physical and chemical properties of microparticles (like size, weight, optical density, dielectric constant, etc.), they are separated using microsensors. The idea of accelerated selection of microorganisms is the application of microfluidic technologies to separate mutants with improved qualities after mutagenesis. This article discusses the possible application and practical implementation of microfluidic separation of mutants, including yeasts like Yarrowia lipolytica and Phaffia rhodozyma after chemical mutagenesis will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taras Mika
- Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University, 12 – K1 Āzene street, Riga, LV-1048, Latvia
| | - Martins Kalnins
- Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University, 12 – K1 Āzene street, Riga, LV-1048, Latvia
| | - Kriss Spalvins
- Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University, 12 – K1 Āzene street, Riga, LV-1048, Latvia
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4
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Farshchi F, Saadati A, Bahavarnia F, Hasanzadeh M, Shadjou N. Identification of acetaldehyde based on plasmonic patterns of a gold nanostructure conjugated with chromophore and H 2O 2: a new platform for the rapid and low-cost analysis of carcinogenic agents by colorimetric affordable test strip (CATS). RSC Adv 2024; 14:15755-15765. [PMID: 38752162 PMCID: PMC11094588 DOI: 10.1039/d4ra02814g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Acetaldehyde, a prevalent carbonyl compound in fermented foods, poses challenges in various applications due to its reactivity. This study addresses the need for efficient acetaldehyde detection methods across biotechnological, environmental, pharmaceutical, and food sectors. Herein, we present a novel colorimetric/UV spectrophotometric approach utilizing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), particularly gold nano-flowers (AuNFs), for sensitive acetaldehyde identification. The method exhibits a notable sensitivity, detecting acetaldehyde at concentrations as low as 0.1 μM. The mechanism involves the interaction of acetaldehyde molecules with AuNFs, leading to a significant change in the absorbance spectrum, which serves as the basis for detection. Moreover, its applicability extends to human biofluids, notably urine samples. Integration with a cost-effective one-drop microfluidic colorimetric device (OD-μPCD) enables the development of an affordable test strip (CATS). This semi-analytical device, employing a multichannel OD-μPCD, facilitates real-time analysis of acetaldehyde in human samples. Our findings demonstrate the pioneering utilization of AuNPs for selective and sensitive acetaldehyde detection, promising advancements in environmental and occupational safety standards, and laying a foundation for enhanced detection and monitoring of related volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Farshchi
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas Avenida Brasil No 4365-Manguinhos Rio de Janeiro 21040-900 Brazil
| | - Arezoo Saadati
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology Brno CZ-612 00 Czech Republic
| | - Farnaz Bahavarnia
- Nutrition Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Tabriz Iran
| | - Mohammad Hasanzadeh
- Pharmaceutical Analysis Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Tabriz Iran
| | - Nasrin Shadjou
- Department of Nanotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Urmia University Urmia Iran
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5
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Strohmaier-Nguyen D, Horn C, Baeumner AJ. Membrane-Free Lateral Flow Assay with the Active Control of Fluid Transport for Ultrasensitive Cardiac Biomarker Detection. Anal Chem 2024; 96:7014-7021. [PMID: 38659215 PMCID: PMC11079857 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c00142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Membrane-based lateral flow immunoassays (LFAs) have been employed as early point-of-care (POC) testing tools in clinical settings. However, the varying membrane properties, uncontrollable sample transport in LFAs, visual readout, and required large sample volumes have been major limiting factors in realizing needed sensitivity and desirable precise quantification. Addressing these challenges, we designed a membrane-free system in which the desirable three-dimensional (3D) structure of the detection zone is imitated and used a small pump for fluid flow and fluorescence as readout, all the while maintaining a one-step assay protocol. A hydrogel-like protein-polyelectrolyte complex (PPC) within a polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) was developed as the test line by complexing polystreptavidin (pSA) with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA), which in turn was layered with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) resulting in a superior 3D streptavidin-rich test line. Since the remainder of the microchannel remains material-free, good flow control is achieved, and with the total volume of 20 μL, 7.5-fold smaller sample volumes can be used in comparison to conventional LFAs. High sensitivity with desirable reproducibility and a 20 min total assay time were achieved for the detection of NT-proBNP in plasma with a dynamic range of 60-9000 pg·mL-1 and a limit of detection of 56 pg·mL-1 using probe antibody-modified fluorescence nanoparticles. While instrument-free visual detection is no longer possible, the developed lateral flow channel platform has the potential to dramatically expand the LFA applicability, as it overcomes the limitations of membrane-based immunoassays, ultimately improving the accuracy and reducing the sample volume so that finger-prick analyses can easily be done in a one-step assay for analytes present at very low concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Strohmaier-Nguyen
- Institute
of Analytical Chemistry, Chemo- and Biosensors, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Carina Horn
- Roche
Diagnostics GmbH, 68305 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Antje J. Baeumner
- Institute
of Analytical Chemistry, Chemo- and Biosensors, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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6
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Gao F, Rafiq M, Cong H, Yu B, Shen Y. Current research status and development prospects of embolic microspheres containing biological macromolecules and others. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 267:131494. [PMID: 38608974 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131494] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Transcatheter arterial embolization (TACE) has been used in the treatment of malignant tumors, sudden hemorrhage, uterine fibroids, and other diseases, and with advances in imaging techniques and devices, materials science, and drug release technology, more and more embolic agents that are drug-carrying, self-imaging, or have multiple functions are being developed. Microspheres provide safer and more effective therapeutic results as embolic agents, with their unique spherical appearance and good embolic properties. Embolic microspheres are the key to arterial embolization, blocking blood flow and nutrient supply to the tumor target. This review summarizes some of the currently published embolic microspheres, classifies embolic microspheres according to matrix, and summarizes the characteristics of the microsphere materials, the current status of research, directions, and the value of existing and potential applications. It provides a direction to promote the development of embolic microspheres towards multifunctionalization, and provides a reference to promote the research and application of embolic microspheres in the treatment of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyuan Gao
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Muhammad Rafiq
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Hailin Cong
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers and Eco-Textiles, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, China.
| | - Bing Yu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers and Eco-Textiles, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
| | - Youqing Shen
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Center for Bionanoengineering, and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310027, China
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7
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Gome G, Chak B, Tawil S, Shpatz D, Giron J, Brajzblat I, Weizman C, Grishko A, Schlesinger S, Shoseyov O. Cultivation of Bovine Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Plant-Based Scaffolds in a Macrofluidic Single-Use Bioreactor for Cultured Meat. Foods 2024; 13:1361. [PMID: 38731732 PMCID: PMC11083346 DOI: 10.3390/foods13091361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Reducing production costs, known as scaling, is a significant obstacle in the advancement of cultivated meat. The cultivation process hinges on several key components, e.g., cells, media, scaffolds, and bioreactors. This study demonstrates an innovative approach, departing from traditional stainless steel or glass bioreactors, by integrating food-grade plant-based scaffolds and thermoplastic film bioreactors. While thermoplastic films are commonly used for constructing fluidic systems, conventional welding methods are cost-prohibitive and lack rapid prototyping capabilities, thus inflating research and development expenses. The developed laser welding technique facilitates contamination-free and leakproof sealing of polyethylene films, enabling the efficient fabrication of macrofluidic systems with various designs and dimensions. By incorporating food-grade plant-based scaffolds, such as rice seeded with bovine mesenchymal stem cells, into these bioreactors, this study demonstrates sterile cell proliferation on scaffolds within macrofluidic systems. This approach not only reduces bioreactor prototyping and construction costs but also addresses the need for scalable solutions in both research and industrial settings. Integrating single-use bioreactors with minimal shear forces and incorporating macro carriers such as puffed rice may further enhance biomass production in a scaled-out model. The use of food-grade plant-based scaffolds aligns with sustainable practices in tissue engineering and cultured-meat production, emphasizing its suitability for diverse applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilad Gome
- Department of Plant Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
- Sammy Ofer School of Communication, Reichman University, Herzliya 4610101, Israel; (J.G.); (I.B.); (C.W.); (A.G.)
| | - Benyamin Chak
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel (S.T.); (D.S.)
| | - Shadi Tawil
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel (S.T.); (D.S.)
| | - Dafna Shpatz
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel (S.T.); (D.S.)
| | - Jonathan Giron
- Sammy Ofer School of Communication, Reichman University, Herzliya 4610101, Israel; (J.G.); (I.B.); (C.W.); (A.G.)
| | - Ilan Brajzblat
- Sammy Ofer School of Communication, Reichman University, Herzliya 4610101, Israel; (J.G.); (I.B.); (C.W.); (A.G.)
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel (S.T.); (D.S.)
| | - Chen Weizman
- Sammy Ofer School of Communication, Reichman University, Herzliya 4610101, Israel; (J.G.); (I.B.); (C.W.); (A.G.)
| | - Andrey Grishko
- Sammy Ofer School of Communication, Reichman University, Herzliya 4610101, Israel; (J.G.); (I.B.); (C.W.); (A.G.)
| | - Sharon Schlesinger
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel (S.T.); (D.S.)
| | - Oded Shoseyov
- Department of Plant Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
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8
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Duarte LC, Figueredo F, Chagas CLS, Cortón E, Coltro WKT. A review of the recent achievements and future trends on 3D printed microfluidic devices for bioanalytical applications. Anal Chim Acta 2024; 1299:342429. [PMID: 38499426 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2024.342429] [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: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
3D printing has revolutionized the manufacturing process of microanalytical devices by enabling the automated production of customized objects. This technology promises to become a fundamental tool, accelerating investigations in critical areas of health, food, and environmental sciences. This microfabrication technology can be easily disseminated among users to produce further and provide analytical data to an interconnected network towards the Internet of Things, as 3D printers enable automated, reproducible, low-cost, and easy fabrication of microanalytical devices in a single step. New functional materials are being investigated for one-step fabrication of highly complex 3D printed parts using photocurable resins. However, they are not yet widely used to fabricate microfluidic devices. This is likely the critical step towards easy and automated fabrication of sophisticated, complex, and functional 3D-printed microchips. Accordingly, this review covers recent advances in the development of 3D-printed microfluidic devices for point-of-care (POC) or bioanalytical applications such as nucleic acid amplification assays, immunoassays, cell and biomarker analysis and organs-on-a-chip. Finally, we discuss the future implications of this technology and highlight the challenges in researching and developing appropriate materials and manufacturing techniques to enable the production of 3D-printed microfluidic analytical devices in a single step.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas C Duarte
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74690-900, Goiânia, GO, Brazil; Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Goiás, Campus Inhumas, 75402-556, Inhumas, GO, Brazil
| | - Federico Figueredo
- Laboratorio de Biosensores y Bioanalisis (LABB), Departamento de Química Biológica e IQUIBICEN-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina
| | - Cyro L S Chagas
- Instituto de Química, Universidade de Brasília, 70910-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Cortón
- Laboratorio de Biosensores y Bioanalisis (LABB), Departamento de Química Biológica e IQUIBICEN-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina
| | - Wendell K T Coltro
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74690-900, Goiânia, GO, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Bioanalítica, 13084-971, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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9
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Zhang T, Di Carlo D, Lim CT, Zhou T, Tian G, Tang T, Shen AQ, Li W, Li M, Yang Y, Goda K, Yan R, Lei C, Hosokawa Y, Yalikun Y. Passive microfluidic devices for cell separation. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 71:108317. [PMID: 38220118 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108317] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
The separation of specific cell populations is instrumental in gaining insights into cellular processes, elucidating disease mechanisms, and advancing applications in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, diagnostics, and cell therapies. Microfluidic methods for cell separation have propelled the field forward, benefitting from miniaturization, advanced fabrication technologies, a profound understanding of fluid dynamics governing particle separation mechanisms, and a surge in interdisciplinary investigations focused on diverse applications. Cell separation methodologies can be categorized according to their underlying separation mechanisms. Passive microfluidic separation systems rely on channel structures and fluidic rheology, obviating the necessity for external force fields to facilitate label-free cell separation. These passive approaches offer a compelling combination of cost-effectiveness and scalability when compared to active methods that depend on external fields to manipulate cells. This review delves into the extensive utilization of passive microfluidic techniques for cell separation, encompassing various strategies such as filtration, sedimentation, adhesion-based techniques, pinched flow fractionation (PFF), deterministic lateral displacement (DLD), inertial microfluidics, hydrophoresis, viscoelastic microfluidics, and hybrid microfluidics. Besides, the review provides an in-depth discussion concerning cell types, separation markers, and the commercialization of these technologies. Subsequently, it outlines the current challenges faced in the field and presents a forward-looking perspective on potential future developments. This work hopes to aid in facilitating the dissemination of knowledge in cell separation, guiding future research, and informing practical applications across diverse scientific disciplines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianlong Zhang
- College of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China
| | - Dino Di Carlo
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Chwee Teck Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117583, Singapore
| | - Tianyuan Zhou
- College of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China
| | - Guizhong Tian
- College of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China.
| | - Tao Tang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117583, Singapore
| | - Amy Q Shen
- Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Weihua Li
- School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Ming Li
- School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Yang Yang
- Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, Hainan 572000, China
| | - Keisuke Goda
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; The Institute of Technological Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Ruopeng Yan
- The Institute of Technological Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Cheng Lei
- The Institute of Technological Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yoichiroh Hosokawa
- Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara 630-0192, Japan
| | - Yaxiaer Yalikun
- Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara 630-0192, Japan.
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10
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Saupe M, Wiedemeier S, Gastrock G, Römer R, Lemke K. Flexible Toolbox of High-Precision Microfluidic Modules for Versatile Droplet-Based Applications. MICROMACHINES 2024; 15:250. [PMID: 38398978 PMCID: PMC10891953 DOI: 10.3390/mi15020250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Although the enormous potential of droplet-based microfluidics has been successfully demonstrated in the past two decades for medical, pharmaceutical, and academic applications, its inherent potential has not been fully exploited until now. Nevertheless, the cultivation of biological cells and 3D cell structures like spheroids and organoids, located in serially arranged droplets in micro-channels, has a range of benefits compared to established cultivation techniques based on, e.g., microplates and microchips. To exploit the enormous potential of the droplet-based cell cultivation technique, a number of basic functions have to be fulfilled. In this paper, we describe microfluidic modules to realize the following basic functions with high precision: (i) droplet generation, (ii) mixing of cell suspensions and cell culture media in the droplets, (iii) droplet content detection, and (iv) active fluid injection into serially arranged droplets. The robustness of the functionality of the Two-Fluid Probe is further investigated regarding its droplet generation using different flow rates. Advantages and disadvantages in comparison to chip-based solutions are discussed. New chip-based modules like the gradient, the piezo valve-based conditioning, the analysis, and the microscopy module are characterized in detail and their high-precision functionalities are demonstrated. These microfluidic modules are micro-machined, and as the surfaces of their micro-channels are plasma-treated, we are able to perform cell cultivation experiments using any kind of cell culture media, but without needing to use surfactants. This is even more considerable when droplets are used to investigate cell cultures like stem cells or cancer cells as cell suspensions, as 3D cell structures, or as tissue fragments over days or even weeks for versatile applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Saupe
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V., 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany; (S.W.); (G.G.); (R.R.); (K.L.)
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Microreaction Technologies, Technical University of Ilmenau, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany
| | - Stefan Wiedemeier
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V., 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany; (S.W.); (G.G.); (R.R.); (K.L.)
| | - Gunter Gastrock
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V., 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany; (S.W.); (G.G.); (R.R.); (K.L.)
| | - Robert Römer
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V., 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany; (S.W.); (G.G.); (R.R.); (K.L.)
| | - Karen Lemke
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V., 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany; (S.W.); (G.G.); (R.R.); (K.L.)
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11
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Ahmed MAM, Jurczak KM, Lynn NS, Mulder JPSH, Verpoorte EMJ, Nagelkerke A. Rapid prototyping of PMMA-based microfluidic spheroid-on-a-chip models using micromilling and vapour-assisted thermal bonding. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2831. [PMID: 38310102 PMCID: PMC10838337 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53266-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The application of microfluidic devices as next-generation cell and tissue culture systems has increased impressively in the last decades. With that, a plethora of materials as well as fabrication methods for these devices have emerged. Here, we describe the rapid prototyping of microfluidic devices, using micromilling and vapour-assisted thermal bonding of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), to create a spheroid-on-a-chip culture system. Surface roughness of the micromilled structures was assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), showing that the fabrication procedure can impact the surface quality of micromilled substrates with milling tracks that can be readily observed in micromilled channels. A roughness of approximately 153 nm was created. Chloroform vapour-assisted bonding was used for simultaneous surface smoothing and bonding. A 30-s treatment with chloroform-vapour was able to reduce the surface roughness and smooth it to approximately 39 nm roughness. Subsequent bonding of multilayer PMMA-based microfluidic chips created a durable assembly, as shown by tensile testing. MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were cultured as multicellular tumour spheroids in the device and their characteristics evaluated using immunofluorescence staining. Spheroids could be successfully maintained for at least three weeks. They consisted of a characteristic hypoxic core, along with expression of the quiescence marker, p27kip1. This core was surrounded by a ring of Ki67-positive, proliferative cells. Overall, the method described represents a versatile approach to generate microfluidic devices compatible with biological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monieb A M Ahmed
- Pharmaceutical Analysis, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Klaudia M Jurczak
- W.J. Kolff Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - N Scott Lynn
- Institute of Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jean-Paul S H Mulder
- Pharmaceutical Analysis, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth M J Verpoorte
- Pharmaceutical Analysis, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Anika Nagelkerke
- Pharmaceutical Analysis, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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12
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Oladokun R, Adekanmbi EO, An V, Gangavaram I, Srivastava SK. Dielectrophoretic profiling of erythrocytes to study the impacts of metabolic stress, temperature, and storage duration utilizing a point-and-planar microdevice. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17281. [PMID: 37828082 PMCID: PMC10570315 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44022-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is widely utilized for trapping and sorting various types of cells, including live and dead cells and healthy and infected cells. This article focuses on the dielectric characterization of erythrocytes (red blood cells or RBCs) by quantifying DEP crossover frequency using a novel point-and-planar microwell device platform. Numerical simulations using COMSOL Multiphysics software demonstrate that the distribution of the DEP force is influenced by factors such as the shape of the point electrode, spacing between the point and planar electrodes, and the type of bioparticle being investigated. The dependency on electrode spacing is experimentally evaluated by analyzing the DEP crossover response of erythrocytes. Furthermore, the results are validated against the traditional electrical characterization technique called electrorotation, which typically requires laborious fabrication and operation using quadrupole electrodes. Other significant factors, including erythrocyte storage age and the changes in cell properties over time since collection, osmolarity, and temperature, are also assessed to determine the optimal conditions for erythrocyte characterization. The findings indicate a significant difference between fresh and stored erythrocyte samples (up to 4 days), highlighting the importance of maintaining an isotonic medium for cell storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Oladokun
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, West Virginia University, 1306 Evansdale Dr., PO Box 6102, Morgantown, WV, 26506-6102, USA
| | | | - Vanessa An
- Summer 2022 High School Intern, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Isha Gangavaram
- Summer 2022 High School Intern, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Soumya K Srivastava
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, West Virginia University, 1306 Evansdale Dr., PO Box 6102, Morgantown, WV, 26506-6102, USA.
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13
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Rodrigues RG, Condelipes PGM, Rosa RR, Chu V, Conde JP. Scalable Processing of Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) Microfluidic Biochips. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:1837. [PMID: 37893274 PMCID: PMC10609239 DOI: 10.3390/mi14101837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidics evolved with the appearance of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), an elastomer with a short processing time and the possibility for replication on a micrometric scale. Despite the many advantages of PDMS, there are well-known drawbacks, such as the hydrophobic surface, the absorption of small molecules, the low stiffness, relatively high cost, and the difficulty of scaling up the fabrication process for industrial production, creating a need for alternative materials. One option is the use of stiffer thermoplastics, such as the cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), which can be mass produced, have lower cost and possess excellent properties. In this work, a method to fabricate COC microfluidic structures was developed. The work was divided into process optimization and evaluation of material properties for application in microfluidics. In the processing step, moulding, sealing, and liquid handling aspects were developed and optimized. The resulting COC devices were evaluated from the point of view of molecular diffusion, burst pressure, temperature resistance, and susceptibility to surface treatments and these results were compared to PDMS devices. Lastly, a target DNA hybridization assay was performed showing the potential of the COC-based microfluidic device to be used in biosensing and Lab-on-a-Chip applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo G. Rodrigues
- Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores—Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias (INESC MN), Rua Alves Redol 9, 1000-029 Lisbon, Portugal; (R.G.R.); (P.G.M.C.); (R.R.R.); (V.C.)
| | - Pedro G. M. Condelipes
- Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores—Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias (INESC MN), Rua Alves Redol 9, 1000-029 Lisbon, Portugal; (R.G.R.); (P.G.M.C.); (R.R.R.); (V.C.)
| | - Rafaela R. Rosa
- Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores—Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias (INESC MN), Rua Alves Redol 9, 1000-029 Lisbon, Portugal; (R.G.R.); (P.G.M.C.); (R.R.R.); (V.C.)
| | - Virginia Chu
- Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores—Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias (INESC MN), Rua Alves Redol 9, 1000-029 Lisbon, Portugal; (R.G.R.); (P.G.M.C.); (R.R.R.); (V.C.)
| | - João Pedro Conde
- Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores—Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias (INESC MN), Rua Alves Redol 9, 1000-029 Lisbon, Portugal; (R.G.R.); (P.G.M.C.); (R.R.R.); (V.C.)
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
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14
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Newman G, Leclerc A, Arditi W, Calzuola ST, Feaugas T, Roy E, Perrault CM, Porrini C, Bechelany M. Challenge of material haemocompatibility for microfluidic blood-contacting applications. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1249753. [PMID: 37662438 PMCID: PMC10469978 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1249753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Biological applications of microfluidics technology is beginning to expand beyond the original focus of diagnostics, analytics and organ-on-chip devices. There is a growing interest in the development of microfluidic devices for therapeutic treatments, such as extra-corporeal haemodialysis and oxygenation. However, the great potential in this area comes with great challenges. Haemocompatibility of materials has long been a concern for blood-contacting medical devices, and microfluidic devices are no exception. The small channel size, high surface area to volume ratio and dynamic conditions integral to microchannels contribute to the blood-material interactions. This review will begin by describing features of microfluidic technology with a focus on blood-contacting applications. Material haemocompatibility will be discussed in the context of interactions with blood components, from the initial absorption of plasma proteins to the activation of cells and factors, and the contribution of these interactions to the coagulation cascade and thrombogenesis. Reference will be made to the testing requirements for medical devices in contact with blood, set out by International Standards in ISO 10993-4. Finally, we will review the techniques for improving microfluidic channel haemocompatibility through material surface modifications-including bioactive and biopassive coatings-and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwenyth Newman
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Eden Tech, Paris, France
| | - Audrey Leclerc
- Institut Européen des Membranes, IEM, UMR 5635, Univ Montpellier, ENSCM, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Place Eugène Bataillon, Montpellier, France
- École Nationale Supérieure des Ingénieurs en Arts Chimiques et Technologiques, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - William Arditi
- Eden Tech, Paris, France
- Centrale Supélec, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Silvia Tea Calzuola
- Eden Tech, Paris, France
- UMR7648—LadHyx, Ecole Polytechnique, Palaiseau, France
| | - Thomas Feaugas
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Eden Tech, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Mikhael Bechelany
- Institut Européen des Membranes, IEM, UMR 5635, Univ Montpellier, ENSCM, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Place Eugène Bataillon, Montpellier, France
- Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST), Mubarak Al-Abdullah, Kuwait
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15
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Gimondi S, Ferreira H, Reis RL, Neves NM. Microfluidic Devices: A Tool for Nanoparticle Synthesis and Performance Evaluation. ACS NANO 2023; 17:14205-14228. [PMID: 37498731 PMCID: PMC10416572 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c01117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The use of nanoparticles (NPs) in nanomedicine holds great promise for the treatment of diseases for which conventional therapies present serious limitations. Additionally, NPs can drastically improve early diagnosis and follow-up of many disorders. However, to harness their full capabilities, they must be precisely designed, produced, and tested in relevant models. Microfluidic systems can simulate dynamic fluid flows, gradients, specific microenvironments, and multiorgan complexes, providing an efficient and cost-effective approach for both NPs synthesis and screening. Microfluidic technologies allow for the synthesis of NPs under controlled conditions, enhancing batch-to-batch reproducibility. Moreover, due to the versatility of microfluidic devices, it is possible to generate and customize endless platforms for rapid and efficient in vitro and in vivo screening of NPs' performance. Indeed, microfluidic devices show great potential as advanced systems for small organism manipulation and immobilization. In this review, first we summarize the major microfluidic platforms that allow for controlled NPs synthesis. Next, we will discuss the most innovative microfluidic platforms that enable mimicking in vitro environments as well as give insights into organism-on-a-chip and their promising application for NPs screening. We conclude this review with a critical assessment of the current challenges and possible future directions of microfluidic systems in NPs synthesis and screening to impact the field of nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Gimondi
- 3B’s
Research Group, I3Bs − Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters
of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and
Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque
de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s−PT
Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017 Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Helena Ferreira
- 3B’s
Research Group, I3Bs − Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters
of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and
Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque
de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s−PT
Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017 Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rui L. Reis
- 3B’s
Research Group, I3Bs − Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters
of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and
Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque
de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s−PT
Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017 Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno M. Neves
- 3B’s
Research Group, I3Bs − Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters
of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and
Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque
de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s−PT
Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017 Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
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16
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Vargas MJT, Nieuwoudt MK, Arul R, Williams DE, Simpson MC. Direct laser writing of hydrophobic and hydrophilic valves in the same material applied to centrifugal microfluidics. RSC Adv 2023; 13:22302-22314. [PMID: 37497087 PMCID: PMC10366570 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra01749d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we utilize nanosecond and femtosecond direct laser writing for the generation of hydrophobic and hydrophilic microfluidic valves on a centrifugal microfluidic disk made of polycarbonate, without the need for wet-chemistry. Application of a femtosecond (fs) laser at 800 nm resulted in an increased contact angle, from ∼80° to ∼160°, thereby inducing the formation of a hydrophobic surface. In contrast, employing a nanosecond (ns) laser at 248 nm led to the formation of superhydrophilic surfaces. Morphological studies identified the enhancement in the surface roughness for the hydrophobic surfaces and the creation of smooth patterns for the hydrophilic surfaces. Chemical modifications in the laser-ablated samples were confirmed via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. These spectroscopic examinations revealed an increase of hydrophilic chemical groups on both surfaces, with a more pronounced increase on the nanosecond laser-modified surface. Furthermore, these surfaces were used as a case study for centrifugal microfluidic valves. These modified surfaces demonstrated peculiar pressure responses. Specifically, the hydrophobic valves necessitated a 29% increase in pressure for droplet passage through a microchannel. On the other hand, the superhydrophilic valves exhibited enhanced wettability, decreasing the pressure requirement for fluid flow through the modified area by 39%. However, similarly to the hydrophobic valves, the fluid exiting the hydrophilic valve area required an increased pressure. Overall, our study shows the potential for tailoring valve functionality in microfluidic systems through precise surface modifications using laser technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus J T Vargas
- Orbis Diagnostics Ltd 14 West Street, Eden Terrace Auckland 1010 New Zealand
- Photon Factory, University of Auckland 38 Princes St Auckland 1010 New Zealand
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland Bldg. 302, 23 Symonds St Auckland 1010 New Zealand
| | - Michel K Nieuwoudt
- Photon Factory, University of Auckland 38 Princes St Auckland 1010 New Zealand
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland Bldg. 302, 23 Symonds St Auckland 1010 New Zealand
| | - Rakesh Arul
- Photon Factory, University of Auckland 38 Princes St Auckland 1010 New Zealand
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge JJ Thompson Avenue Cambridge CB3 0HE UK
| | - David E Williams
- Orbis Diagnostics Ltd 14 West Street, Eden Terrace Auckland 1010 New Zealand
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland Bldg. 302, 23 Symonds St Auckland 1010 New Zealand
| | - M Cather Simpson
- Orbis Diagnostics Ltd 14 West Street, Eden Terrace Auckland 1010 New Zealand
- Photon Factory, University of Auckland 38 Princes St Auckland 1010 New Zealand
- Department of Physics, University of Auckland 38 Princes Street Auckland 1010 New Zealand
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17
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Ghaznavi A, Xu J, Hara SA. A Non-Sacrificial 3D Printing Process for Fabricating Integrated Micro/Mesoscale Molds. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:1363. [PMID: 37512674 PMCID: PMC10385488 DOI: 10.3390/mi14071363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional printing technology has been implemented in microfluidic mold fabrication due to its freedom of design, speed, and low-cost fabrication. To facilitate mold fabrication processes and avoid the complexities of the soft lithography technique, we offer a non-sacrificial approach to fabricate microscale features along with mesoscale features using Stereolithography (SLA) printers to assemble a modular microfluidic mold. This helps with addressing an existing limitation with fabricating complex and time-consuming micro/mesoscale devices. The process flow, optimization of print time and feature resolution, alignments of modular devices, and the advantages and limitations with the offered technique are discussed in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirreza Ghaznavi
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Jie Xu
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Seth A Hara
- Division of Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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18
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Natu R, Herbertson L, Sena G, Strachan K, Guha S. A Systematic Analysis of Recent Technology Trends of Microfluidic Medical Devices in the United States. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:1293. [PMID: 37512604 PMCID: PMC10384103 DOI: 10.3390/mi14071293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seen an increase in microfluidic medical device submissions, likely stemming from recent advancements in microfluidic technologies. This recent trend has only been enhanced during the COVID-19 pandemic, as microfluidic-based test kits have been used for diagnosis. To better understand the implications of this emerging technology, device submissions to the FDA from 2015 to 2021 containing microfluidic technologies have been systematically reviewed to identify trends in microfluidic medical applications, performance tests, standards used, fabrication techniques, materials, and flow systems. More than 80% of devices with microfluidic platforms were found to be diagnostic in nature, with lateral flow systems accounting for about 35% of all identified microfluidic devices. A targeted analysis of over 40,000 adverse event reports linked to microfluidic technologies revealed that flow, operation, and data output related failures are the most common failure modes for these device types. Lastly, this paper highlights key considerations for developing new protocols for various microfluidic applications that use certain analytes (e.g., blood, urine, nasal-pharyngeal swab), materials, flow, and detection mechanisms. We anticipate that these considerations would help facilitate innovation in microfluidic-based medical devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rucha Natu
- Division of Applied Mechanics, Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Luke Herbertson
- Division of Applied Mechanics, Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Grazziela Sena
- Division of Applied Mechanics, Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Kate Strachan
- Division of Applied Mechanics, Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Suvajyoti Guha
- Division of Applied Mechanics, Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
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19
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Chen Y, Hu Y, Lu X. Polyethersulfone-Based Microfluidic Device Integrated with DNA Extraction on Paper and Recombinase Polymerase Amplification for the Detection of Salmonella enterica. ACS Sens 2023; 8:2331-2339. [PMID: 37228176 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.3c00387] [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: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Rising consumption, large-scale production, and widespread distribution have been accompanied by an increase in the number of Salmonella infections reported to implicate contaminated food products. We developed a portable origami microfluidic device that enabled rapid detection of S. enterica from sample preparation to end-point detection, including nucleic acid extraction on paper dipstick without pipetting, nucleic acid amplification using isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), and lateral flow assay for results readout. We also explored the feasibility of the polyethersulfone (PES) membrane as a new reaction matrix against the widely used chromatography paper to optimize nucleic acid amplification. Nucleic acid amplification was achieved within 20 min and demonstrated 100% specificity to S. enterica. The limit of detection of this PES-based microfluidic device was 260 CFU/mL and equivalent to RPA reaction in tube. A chromatography paper-based microfluidic device was found 1-log less in sensitivity for Salmonella detection compared to the use of PES. This PES-based microfluidic device could detect S. enterica in lettuce, chicken breast, and milk at concentrations of 6 CFU/g, 9 CFU/g, and 58 CFU/mL, respectively, after 6 h enrichment. PES has shown high compatibility to isothermal nucleic acid amplification and great potential to be implemented as an integrated sample-to-answer microfluidic device for the detection of pathogens in various food commodities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunxuan Chen
- Food, Nutrition and Health Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Yaxi Hu
- Food, Nutrition and Health Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Food Science Program, Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Xiaonan Lu
- Food, Nutrition and Health Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road,Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue H9X 3V9 Quebec, Canada
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20
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Zeng Y, Khor JW, van Neel TL, Tu WC, Berthier J, Thongpang S, Berthier E, Theberge AB. Miniaturizing chemistry and biology using droplets in open systems. Nat Rev Chem 2023; 7:439-455. [PMID: 37117816 PMCID: PMC10107581 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-023-00483-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Open droplet microfluidic systems manipulate droplets on the picolitre-to-microlitre scale in an open environment. They combine the compartmentalization and control offered by traditional droplet-based microfluidics with the accessibility and ease-of-use of open microfluidics, bringing unique advantages to applications such as combinatorial reactions, droplet analysis and cell culture. Open systems provide direct access to droplets and allow on-demand droplet manipulation within the system without needing pumps or tubes, which makes the systems accessible to biologists without sophisticated setups. Furthermore, these systems can be produced with simple manufacturing and assembly steps that allow for manufacturing at scale and the translation of the method into clinical research. This Review introduces the different types of open droplet microfluidic system, presents the physical concepts leveraged by these systems and highlights key applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Zeng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jian Wei Khor
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Tammi L van Neel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Wan-Chen Tu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jean Berthier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sanitta Thongpang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakorn Pathom, Thailand
| | - Erwin Berthier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Ashleigh B Theberge
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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21
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Donkers JM, van der Vaart JI, van de Steeg E. Gut-on-a-Chip Research for Drug Development: Implications of Chip Design on Preclinical Oral Bioavailability or Intestinal Disease Studies. Biomimetics (Basel) 2023; 8:226. [PMID: 37366821 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics8020226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The gut plays a key role in drug absorption and metabolism of orally ingested drugs. Additionally, the characterization of intestinal disease processes is increasingly gaining more attention, as gut health is an important contributor to our overall health. The most recent innovation to study intestinal processes in vitro is the development of gut-on-a-chip (GOC) systems. Compared to conventional in vitro models, they offer more translational value, and many different GOC models have been presented over the past years. Herein, we reflect on the almost unlimited choices in designing and selecting a GOC for preclinical drug (or food) development research. Four components that largely influence the GOC design are highlighted, namely (1) the biological research questions, (2) chip fabrication and materials, (3) tissue engineering, and (4) the environmental and biochemical cues to add or measure in the GOC. Examples of GOC studies in the two major areas of preclinical intestinal research are presented: (1) intestinal absorption and metabolism to study the oral bioavailability of compounds, and (2) treatment-orientated research for intestinal diseases. The last section of this review presents an outlook on the limitations to overcome in order to accelerate preclinical GOC research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne M Donkers
- Department of Metabolic Health Research, TNO, Sylviusweg 71, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jamie I van der Vaart
- Department of Metabolic Health Research, TNO, Sylviusweg 71, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Evita van de Steeg
- Department of Metabolic Health Research, TNO, Sylviusweg 71, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
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22
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Feitor JF, Brazaca LC, Lima AM, Ferreira VG, Kassab G, Bagnato VS, Carrilho E, Cardoso DR. Organ-on-a-Chip for Drug Screening: A Bright Future for Sustainability? A Critical Review. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:2220-2234. [PMID: 37014814 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c01454] [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: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Globalization has raised concerns about spreading diseases and emphasized the need for quick and efficient methods for drug screening. Established drug efficacy and toxicity approaches have proven obsolete, with a high failure rate in clinical trials. Organ-on-a-chip has emerged as an essential alternative to outdated techniques, precisely simulating important characteristics of organs and predicting drug pharmacokinetics more ethically and efficiently. Although promising, most organ-on-a-chip devices are still manufactured using principles and materials from the micromachining industry. The abusive use of plastic for traditional drug screening methods and device production should be considered when substituting technologies so that the compensation for the generation of plastic waste can be projected. This critical review outlines recent advances for organ-on-a-chip in the industry and estimates the possibility of scaling up its production. Moreover, it analyzes trends in organ-on-a-chip publications and provides suggestions for a more sustainable future for organ-on-a-chip research and production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica F Feitor
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, 13566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Laís C Brazaca
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, 13566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, 02138 Massachusetts, United States
| | - Amanda M Lima
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, 13566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Vinícius G Ferreira
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, 13566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Giulia Kassab
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, 13566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Vanderlei S Bagnato
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, 13566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Emanuel Carrilho
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, 13566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Bioanalítica-INCTBio, 13083-970 Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniel R Cardoso
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, 13566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
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23
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Zhao Y, Wang EY, Lai FBL, Cheung K, Radisic M. Organs-on-a-chip: a union of tissue engineering and microfabrication. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:410-424. [PMID: 36725464 PMCID: PMC9985977 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
We review the emergence of the new field of organ-on-a-chip (OOAC) engineering, from the parent fields of tissue engineering and microfluidics. We place into perspective the tools and capabilities brought into the OOAC field by early tissue engineers and microfluidics experts. Liver-on-a-chip and heart-on-a-chip are used as two case studies of systems that heavily relied on tissue engineering techniques and that were amongst the first OOAC models to be implemented, motivated by the need to better assess toxicity to human tissues in preclinical drug development. We review current challenges in OOAC that often stem from the same challenges in the parent fields, such as stable vascularization and drug absorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimu Zhao
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada; Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Erika Yan Wang
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Fook B L Lai
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Krisco Cheung
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Milica Radisic
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada; Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada; Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E5, Canada.
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24
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A Preliminary Experimental Study of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-To-PDMS Bonding Using Oxygen Plasma Treatment Incorporating Isopropyl Alcohol. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15041006. [PMID: 36850290 PMCID: PMC9958961 DOI: 10.3390/polym15041006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a widely used material for soft lithography and microfabrication. PDMS exhibits some promising properties suitable for building microfluidic devices; however, bonding PDMS to PDMS and PDMS to other materials for multilayer structures in microfluidic devices is still challenging due to the hydrophobic nature of the surface of PDMS. This paper presents a simple yet effective method to increase the bonding strength for PDMS-to-PDMS using isopropyl alcohol (IPA). The experiment was carried out to evaluate the bonding strength for both the natural-cured and the heat-cured PDMS layer. The results show the effectiveness of our approach in terms of the improved irreversible bonding strength, up to 3.060 MPa, for the natural-cured PDMS and 1.373 MPa for the heat-cured PDMS, while the best bonding strength with the existing method in literature is 1.9 MPa. The work is preliminary because the underlying mechanism is only speculative and open for future research.
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25
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Qian J, Li H, Wang Y, Li Y, Yu J, Zhou L, Pu Q. Zwitterionic surfactant as an additive for efficient electrophoretic separation of easily absorbed rhodamine dyes on plastic microchips. J Chromatogr A 2023; 1688:463716. [PMID: 36565653 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2022.463716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Plastic microchips possess the advantages of easy fabrication and low-cost, but their surface properties are frequently incompatible with electrophoretic separation without proper surface modification. Meanwhile, the separation microchannels on typical microchips are usually only a few centimeters long, the pressurized flow may significantly affect the electrophoretic separation if their inner diameters (id) are relatively larger (approximately > 50 μm), viscous separation medium is therefore required for efficient separation. Herein, a zwitterionic surfactant, N-hexadecyl-N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propane sulfonate (HDAPS), was used as a multifunctional additive to inhibit the analyte adsorption, improve the surface status, control Joule heating and modulate the resolution on cyclic olefin copolymer microchips with 80 μm id, 5 cm long separation microchannels, eliminating the necessity of viscous polymeric additives. The effectiveness of HDAPS was compared with an ionic polymeric additive, poly(diallydimethylammonium chloride). The streaming potential and electroosmotic flow measurements indicated an effective inhibition of the adsorption of rhodamine B and a stable negative surface charge with zwitterionic HDAPS. Using 15 mmol/L HDAPS, 40% (v/v) methanol, and 10 mmol/L boric acid (pH 3.2) as the running buffer, rapid separation of four rhodamines was achieved within 90 s under a separation electric field of 520 V/cm. The theoretical plate numbers were in a range of 5.0×105-6.9×105/m. The relative standard deviations were no more than 0.9% for retention time and 1.5% for peak area. The proposed system was verified by the determination of rhodamines in eyeshadow and wolfberry, with standard recoveries in a range of 98.2%-101.4%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metals Chemistry and Resources Utilization of Gansu Province, Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Hongli Li
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metals Chemistry and Resources Utilization of Gansu Province, Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Yuanhang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metals Chemistry and Resources Utilization of Gansu Province, Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Yixuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metals Chemistry and Resources Utilization of Gansu Province, Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Jie Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metals Chemistry and Resources Utilization of Gansu Province, Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Lei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metals Chemistry and Resources Utilization of Gansu Province, Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China.
| | - Qiaosheng Pu
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metals Chemistry and Resources Utilization of Gansu Province, Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China.
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26
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Rodríguez CF, Andrade-Pérez V, Vargas MC, Mantilla-Orozco A, Osma JF, Reyes LH, Cruz JC. Breaking the clean room barrier: exploring low-cost alternatives for microfluidic devices. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1176557. [PMID: 37180035 PMCID: PMC10172592 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1176557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Microfluidics is an interdisciplinary field that encompasses both science and engineering, which aims to design and fabricate devices capable of manipulating extremely low volumes of fluids on a microscale level. The central objective of microfluidics is to provide high precision and accuracy while using minimal reagents and equipment. The benefits of this approach include greater control over experimental conditions, faster analysis, and improved experimental reproducibility. Microfluidic devices, also known as labs-on-a-chip (LOCs), have emerged as potential instruments for optimizing operations and decreasing costs in various of industries, including pharmaceutical, medical, food, and cosmetics. However, the high price of conventional prototypes for LOCs devices, generated in clean room facilities, has increased the demand for inexpensive alternatives. Polymers, paper, and hydrogels are some of the materials that can be utilized to create the inexpensive microfluidic devices covered in this article. In addition, we highlighted different manufacturing techniques, such as soft lithography, laser plotting, and 3D printing, that are suitable for creating LOCs. The selection of materials and fabrication techniques will depend on the specific requirements and applications of each individual LOC. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the numerous alternatives for the development of low-cost LOCs to service industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food, and biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - María Camila Vargas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Johann F. Osma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Luis H. Reyes
- Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
- *Correspondence: Luis H. Reyes, ; Juan C. Cruz,
| | - Juan C. Cruz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
- *Correspondence: Luis H. Reyes, ; Juan C. Cruz,
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27
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Childs A, Pereira J, Didier CM, Baksh A, Johnson I, Castro JM, Davidson E, Santra S, Rajaraman S. Plotter Cut Stencil Masks for the Deposition of Organic and Inorganic Materials and a New Rapid, Cost Effective Technique for Antimicrobial Evaluations. MICROMACHINES 2022; 14:14. [PMID: 36677074 PMCID: PMC9864392 DOI: 10.3390/mi14010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Plotter cutters in stencil mask prototyping are underutilized but have several advantages over traditional MEMS techniques. In this paper we investigate the use of a conventional plotter cutter as a highly effective benchtop tool for the rapid prototyping of stencil masks in the sub-250 μm range and characterize patterned layers of organic/inorganic materials. Furthermore, we show a new diagnostic monitoring application for use in healthcare, and a potential replacement of the Standard Kirby-Bauer Diffusion Antibiotic Resistance tests was developed and tested on both Escherichia coli and Xanthomonas alfalfae as pathogens with Oxytetracycline, Streptomycin and Kanamycin. We show that the reduction in area required for the minimum inhibitory concentration tests; allow for three times the number of tests to be performed within the same nutrient agar Petri dish, demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally resulting in correlations of R ≈ 0.96 and 0.985, respectively for both pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Childs
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
| | - Jorge Pereira
- Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
| | - Charles M. Didier
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
| | - Aliyah Baksh
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
| | - Isaac Johnson
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
| | - Jorge Manrique Castro
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
| | - Edwin Davidson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
| | - Swadeshmukul Santra
- Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32826, USA
| | - Swaminathan Rajaraman
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32826, USA
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28
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De A, Ko YT. Single pot organic solvent-free thermocycling technology for siRNA-ionizable LNPs: a proof-of-concept approach for alternative to microfluidics. Drug Deliv 2022; 29:2644-2657. [PMID: 35949146 PMCID: PMC9377237 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2022.2108523] [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] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ionizable LNPs are the latest trend in nucleic acid delivery. Microfluidics technology has recently gained interest owing to its rapid mixing, production of nucleic acid-ionizable LNPs, and stability of nucleic acid inside the body. Industrial scale-up, nucleic acid-lipid long-term storage instability, and high production costs prompted scientists to seek alternate solutions to replace microfluidic technology. We proposed a single-pot, organic solvent-free thermocycling technology to efficiently and economically overcome most of the limitations of microfluidic technology. New thermocycling technology needs optimization of process parameters such as sonication duration, cooling–heating cycle, number of thermal cycles, and lipid:aqueous phase ratio to formulate precisely sized particles, effective nucleic acid encapsulation, and better shelf-life stability. Our research led to the formulation of siRNA-ionizable LNPs with particle sizes of 104.2 ± 34.7 nm and PDI 0.111 ± 0.109, with 83.3 ± 4.1% siRNA encapsulation. Thermocycling siRNA-ionizable LNPs had comparable morphological structures with commercialized microfluidics ionizable LNPs imaged by TEM and cryo-TEM. When compared to microfluidics ionizable LNPs, thermocycling siRNA-ionizable LNPs had a longer shelf life at 4°C. Our thermocycling technology showed an effective alternative to microfluidics technology in the production of nucleic acid–ionizable LNPs to meet global demand. Thermocycling technology is a low-energy, low-temperature, self-assembling cooling–heating process in which lipid droplets spontaneously break apart into much smaller droplets to form siRNA-ionizable LNPs. The new technology is an alternative to multistep, costly, and complex microfluidics technology for the formulation and bulk up of siRNA-ionizable LNPs economically. Thermocycling siRNA-ionizable LNPs formulation focused on optimizing process parameters such as thermal cycle rate, number of thermal cycles, and lipid:aqueous phase ratio. The thermocycling technology is able to overcome the limitations of the storage stability limitations of commercialized ionizable LNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anindita De
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Gachon University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Young Tag Ko
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Gachon University, Incheon, South Korea
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29
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Damiati LA, El-Yaagoubi M, Damiati SA, Kodzius R, Sefat F, Damiati S. Role of Polymers in Microfluidic Devices. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:5132. [PMID: 36501526 PMCID: PMC9738615 DOI: 10.3390/polym14235132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Polymers are sustainable and renewable materials that are in high demand due to their excellent properties. Natural and synthetic polymers with high flexibility, good biocompatibility, good degradation rate, and stiffness are widely used for various applications, such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, and microfluidic chip fabrication. Indeed, recent advances in microfluidic technology allow the fabrication of polymeric matrix to construct microfluidic scaffolds for tissue engineering and to set up a well-controlled microenvironment for manipulating fluids and particles. In this review, polymers as materials for the fabrication of microfluidic chips have been highlighted. Successful models exploiting polymers in microfluidic devices to generate uniform particles as drug vehicles or artificial cells have been also discussed. Additionally, using polymers as bioink for 3D printing or as a matrix to functionalize the sensing surface in microfluidic devices has also been mentioned. The rapid progress made in the combination of polymers and microfluidics presents a low-cost, reproducible, and scalable approach for a promising future in the manufacturing of biomimetic scaffolds for tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila A. Damiati
- Department of Biology, Collage of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 23890, Saudi Arabia
| | - Marwa El-Yaagoubi
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, 295 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G1 1XL, UK
| | - Safa A. Damiati
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rimantas Kodzius
- Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), 80539 Munich, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, 03101 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Farshid Sefat
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Polymer Science & Technology (Polymer IRC), University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK
- Department of Biomedical and Electronics Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Bradford, Bradford, BD7 1DP, UK
| | - Samar Damiati
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
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30
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Iakovlev AP, Erofeev AS, Gorelkin PV. Novel Pumping Methods for Microfluidic Devices: A Comprehensive Review. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12110956. [PMID: 36354465 PMCID: PMC9688261 DOI: 10.3390/bios12110956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
This review is an account of methods that use various strategies to control microfluidic flow control with high accuracy. The reviewed systems are divided into two large groups based on the way they create flow: passive systems (non-mechanical systems) and active (mechanical) systems. Each group is presented by a number of device fabrications. We try to explain the main principles of operation, and we list advantages and disadvantages of the presented systems. Mechanical systems are considered in more detail, as they are currently an area of increased interest due to their unique precision flow control and "multitasking". These systems are often applied as mini-laboratories, working autonomously without any additional operations, provided by humans, which is very important under complicated conditions. We also reviewed the integration of autonomous microfluidic systems with a smartphone or single-board computer when all data are retrieved and processed without using a personal computer. In addition, we discuss future trends and possible solutions for further development of this area of technology.
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31
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Negm A, Howlader MMR, Belyakov I, Bakr M, Ali S, Irannejad M, Yavuz M. Materials Perspectives of Integrated Plasmonic Biosensors. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 15:7289. [PMID: 36295354 PMCID: PMC9611134 DOI: 10.3390/ma15207289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
With the growing need for portable, compact, low-cost, and efficient biosensors, plasmonic materials hold the promise to meet this need owing to their label-free sensitivity and deep light-matter interaction that can go beyond the diffraction limit of light. In this review, we shed light on the main physical aspects of plasmonic interactions, highlight mainstream and future plasmonic materials including their merits and shortcomings, describe the backbone substrates for building plasmonic biosensors, and conclude with a brief discussion of the factors affecting plasmonic biosensing mechanisms. To do so, we first observe that 2D materials such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides play a major role in enhancing the sensitivity of nanoparticle-based plasmonic biosensors. Then, we identify that titanium nitride is a promising candidate for integrated applications with performance comparable to that of gold. Our study highlights the emerging role of polymer substrates in the design of future wearable and point-of-care devices. Finally, we summarize some technical and economic challenges that should be addressed for the mass adoption of plasmonic biosensors. We believe this review will be a guide in advancing the implementation of plasmonics-based integrated biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayman Negm
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
- Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Matiar M. R. Howlader
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Ilya Belyakov
- Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Mohamed Bakr
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Shirook Ali
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Technology, Sheridan College, Brampton, ON L6Y 5H9, Canada
| | | | - Mustafa Yavuz
- Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
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32
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Zare Harofte S, Soltani M, Siavashy S, Raahemifar K. Recent Advances of Utilizing Artificial Intelligence in Lab on a Chip for Diagnosis and Treatment. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2203169. [PMID: 36026569 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202203169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Nowadays, artificial intelligence (AI) creates numerous promising opportunities in the life sciences. AI methods can be significantly advantageous for analyzing the massive datasets provided by biotechnology systems for biological and biomedical applications. Microfluidics, with the developments in controlled reaction chambers, high-throughput arrays, and positioning systems, generate big data that is not necessarily analyzed successfully. Integrating AI and microfluidics can pave the way for both experimental and analytical throughputs in biotechnology research. Microfluidics enhances the experimental methods and reduces the cost and scale, while AI methods significantly improve the analysis of huge datasets obtained from high-throughput and multiplexed microfluidics. This review briefly presents a survey of the role of AI and microfluidics in biotechnology. Also, the incorporation of AI with microfluidics is comprehensively investigated. Specifically, recent studies that perform flow cytometry cell classification, cell isolation, and a combination of them by gaining from both AI methods and microfluidic techniques are covered. Despite all current challenges, various fields of biotechnology can be remarkably affected by the combination of AI and microfluidic technologies. Some of these fields include point-of-care systems, precision, personalized medicine, regenerative medicine, prognostics, diagnostics, and treatment of oncology and non-oncology-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samaneh Zare Harofte
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, 19967-15433, Iran
| | - Madjid Soltani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, 19967-15433, Iran
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (CBB), University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
- Advanced Bioengineering Initiative Center, Multidisciplinary International Complex, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, 14176-14411, Iran
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 14197-33141, Iran
| | - Saeed Siavashy
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, 19967-15433, Iran
| | - Kaamran Raahemifar
- Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Program, College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), Penn State University, State College, PA, 16801, USA
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. W, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. W, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
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Postek W, Pacocha N, Garstecki P. Microfluidics for antibiotic susceptibility testing. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:3637-3662. [PMID: 36069631 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00394e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The rise of antibiotic resistance is a threat to global health. Rapid and comprehensive analysis of infectious strains is critical to reducing the global use of antibiotics, as informed antibiotic use could slow down the emergence of resistant strains worldwide. Multiple platforms for antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) have been developed with the use of microfluidic solutions. Here we describe microfluidic systems that have been proposed to aid AST. We identify the key contributions in overcoming outstanding challenges associated with the required degree of multiplexing, reduction of detection time, scalability, ease of use, and capacity for commercialization. We introduce the reader to microfluidics in general, and we analyze the challenges and opportunities related to the field of microfluidic AST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Witold Postek
- Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warszawa, Poland.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Merkin Building, 415 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Natalia Pacocha
- Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warszawa, Poland.
| | - Piotr Garstecki
- Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warszawa, Poland.
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Shakeri A, Khan S, Jarad NA, Didar TF. The Fabrication and Bonding of Thermoplastic Microfluidics: A Review. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 15:ma15186478. [PMID: 36143790 PMCID: PMC9503322 DOI: 10.3390/ma15186478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Various fields within biomedical engineering have been afforded rapid scientific advancement through the incorporation of microfluidics. As literature surrounding biological systems become more comprehensive and many microfluidic platforms show potential for commercialization, the development of representative fluidic systems has become more intricate. This has brought increased scrutiny of the material properties of microfluidic substrates. Thermoplastics have been highlighted as a promising material, given their material adaptability and commercial compatibility. This review provides a comprehensive discussion surrounding recent developments pertaining to thermoplastic microfluidic device fabrication. Existing and emerging approaches related to both microchannel fabrication and device assembly are highlighted, with consideration toward how specific approaches induce physical and/or chemical properties that are optimally suited for relevant real-world applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amid Shakeri
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L7, Canada
| | - Shadman Khan
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Noor Abu Jarad
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Tohid F. Didar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L7, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
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35
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Aghaseyedi M, Salehi A, Valijam S, Shooshtari M. Gas Selectivity Enhancement Using Serpentine Microchannel Shaped with Optimum Dimensions in Microfluidic-Based Gas Sensor. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:1504. [PMID: 36144127 PMCID: PMC9500908 DOI: 10.3390/mi13091504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
A microfluidic-based gas sensor was chosen as an alternative method to gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy systems because of its small size, high accuracy, low cost, etc. Generally, there are some parameters, such as microchannel geometry, that affect the gas response and selectivity of the microfluidic-based gas sensors. In this study, we simulated and compared 3D numerical models in both simple and serpentine forms using COMSOL Multiphysics 5.6 to investigate the effects of microchannel geometry on the performance of microfluidic-based gas sensors using multiphysics modeling of diffusion, surface adsorption/desorption and surface reactions. These investigations showed the simple channel has about 50% more response but less selectivity than the serpentine channel. In addition, we showed that increasing the length of the channel and decreasing its height improves the selectivity of the microfluidic-based gas sensor. According to the simulated models, a serpentine microchannel with the dimensions W = 3 mm, H = 80 µm and L = 22.5 mm is the optimal geometry with high selectivity and gas response. Further, for fabrication feasibility, a polydimethylsiloxane serpentine microfluidic channel was fabricated by a 3D printing mold and tested according to the simulation results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Aghaseyedi
- Department of Electrical Engineering, K.N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran 1631714191, Iran
| | - Alireza Salehi
- Department of Electrical Engineering, K.N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran 1631714191, Iran
| | - Shayan Valijam
- Department of Electrical Engineering, K.N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran 1631714191, Iran
| | - Mostafa Shooshtari
- Laboratory of Electronic Components, Technology and Materials (ECTM), Department of Microelectronics, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands
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36
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Thakur R, Fridman GY. Low Cost, Ease-of-Access Fabrication of Microfluidic Devices Using Wet Paper Molds. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:1408. [PMID: 36144030 PMCID: PMC9503283 DOI: 10.3390/mi13091408] [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: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Rapid prototyping methods enable the widespread adoption of microfluidic technologies by empowering end-users from non-engineering disciplines to make devices using processes that are rapid, simple and inexpensive. In this work, we developed a liquid molding technique to create silicone/PDMS microfluidic devices by replica molding. To construct a liquid mold, we use inexpensive adhesive-backed paper, an acetate backing sheet, and an off-the-shelf digital cutter to create paper molds, which we then wet with predetermined amounts of water. Due to the immiscibility of water and PDMS, mold patterns can be effectively transferred onto PDMS similarly to solid molds. We demonstrate the feasibility of these wet paper molds for the fabrication of PDMS microfluidic devices and assess the influence of various process parameters on device yield and quality. This method possesses some distinct benefits compared to conventional techniques such as photolithography and 3D printing. First, we demonstrate that the shape of a channel's cross-section may be altered from rectangular to semicircular by merely modifying the wetting parameters. Second, we illustrate how electrical impedance can be utilized as a marker for inspecting mold quality and identifying defects in a non-invasive manner without using visual tools such as microscopes or cameras. As a proof-of-concept device, we created a microfluidic T-junction droplet generator to produce water droplets in mineral oil ranging in size from 1.2 µL to 75 µL. We feel that this technology is an excellent addition to the microfluidic rapid prototyping toolbox and will find several applications in biological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raviraj Thakur
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Gene Y. Fridman
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Lai X, Yang M, Wu H, Li D. Modular Microfluidics: Current Status and Future Prospects. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:1363. [PMID: 36014285 PMCID: PMC9414757 DOI: 10.3390/mi13081363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This review mainly studies the development status, limitations, and future directions of modular microfluidic systems. Microfluidic technology is an important tool platform for scientific research and plays an important role in various fields. With the continuous development of microfluidic applications, conventional monolithic microfluidic chips show more and more limitations. A modular microfluidic system is a system composed of interconnected, independent modular microfluidic chips, which are easy to use, highly customizable, and on-site deployable. In this paper, the current forms of modular microfluidic systems are classified and studied. The popular fabrication techniques for modular blocks, the major application scenarios of modular microfluidics, and the limitations of modular techniques are also discussed. Lastly, this review provides prospects for the future direction of modular microfluidic technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochen Lai
- School of Automation, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Mingpeng Yang
- School of Automation, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Hao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology and Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Dachao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology and Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
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Vasireddi R, Gardais A, Chavas LMG. Manufacturing of Ultra-Thin X-ray-Compatible COC Microfluidic Devices for Optimal In Situ Macromolecular Crystallography Experiments. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:1365. [PMID: 36014287 PMCID: PMC9416059 DOI: 10.3390/mi13081365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic-olefin-copolymer (COC)-based microfluidic devices are increasingly becoming the center of highly valuable research for in situ X-ray measurements due to their compatibility with X-rays, biological compounds, chemical resistance, optical properties, low cost, and simplified handling. COC microfluidic devices present potential solutions to challenging biological applications such as protein binding, folding, nucleation, growth kinetics, and structural changes. In recent years, the techniques applied to manufacturing and handling these devices have capitalized on enormous progress toward small-scale sample probing. Here, we describe the new and innovative design aspects, fabrication, and experimental implementation of low-cost and micron-sized X-ray-compatible microfluidic sample environments that address diffusion-based crystal formation for crystallographic characterization. The devices appear fully compatible with crystal growth and subsequent X-ray diffraction experiments, resulting in remarkably low background data recording. The results highlighted in this research demonstrate how the engineered microfluidic devices allow the recording of accurate crystallographic data at room temperature and structure determination at high resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonin Gardais
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, L’Orme des Merisier, Saint-Aubin, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Leonard M. G. Chavas
- Department of Applied Physics, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
- Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
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Theel EK, Schwaminger SP. Microfluidic Approaches for Affinity-Based Exosome Separation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169004. [PMID: 36012270 PMCID: PMC9409173 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As a subspecies of extracellular vesicles (EVs), exosomes have provided promising results in diagnostic and theranostic applications in recent years. The nanometer-sized exosomes can be extracted by liquid biopsy from almost all body fluids, making them especially suitable for mainly non-invasive point-of-care (POC) applications. To achieve this, exosomes must first be separated from the respective biofluid. Impurities with similar properties, heterogeneity of exosome characteristics, and time-related biofouling complicate the separation. This practical review presents the state-of-the-art methods available for the separation of exosomes. Furthermore, it is shown how new separation methods can be developed. A particular focus lies on the fabrication and design of microfluidic devices using highly selective affinity separation. Due to their compactness, quick analysis time and portable form factor, these microfluidic devices are particularly suitable to deliver fast and reliable results for POC applications. For these devices, new manufacturing methods (e.g., laminating, replica molding and 3D printing) that use low-cost materials and do not require clean rooms are presented. Additionally, special flow routes and patterns that increase contact surfaces, as well as residence time, and thus improve affinity purification are displayed. Finally, various analyses are shown that can be used to evaluate the separation results of a newly developed device. Overall, this review paper provides a toolbox for developing new microfluidic affinity devices for exosome separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eike K. Theel
- Bioseparation Engineering Group, School of Engineering and Design, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstraße 15, 85748 Garching bei München, Germany
| | - Sebastian P. Schwaminger
- Bioseparation Engineering Group, School of Engineering and Design, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstraße 15, 85748 Garching bei München, Germany
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010 Graz, Austria
- Correspondence:
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40
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Tsao CW, Chang CY, Chien PY. Microwave-Assisted Solvent Bonding for Polymethyl Methacrylate Microfluidic Device. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:mi13071131. [PMID: 35888948 PMCID: PMC9320591 DOI: 10.3390/mi13071131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
This paper demonstrated a microwave-assisted solvent bonding method that uses organic solvent to seal the thermoplastic substrates with microwave assistance. This direct bonding is a simple and straightforward process that starts with solvent application followed by microwave irradiation without the need for expensive facilities or complex procedures. The organic solvent applied at the bonding interface is used in dissolving and dielectric heating of the thermoplastic surfaces to seal the thermoplastic substrates under microwave assistance. We evaluated acetone and ethanol to seal the polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microfluidic device. The bonding performance, such as bonding coverage, geometry stability, and bonding strength (tensile) were observed and compared with the oven-heating and non-heating control experiments under the same force applications. Results showed that the microwave-assisted solvent bonding method presents a high bonding yield (maximum > 99%) and bonding strength (maximum ~2.77 MPa) without microchannel distortion, which can be used for various microfluidic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Wen Tsao
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-3-4267343; Fax: +886-3-4254501
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41
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Seo Y, Bang S, Son J, Kim D, Jeong Y, Kim P, Yang J, Eom JH, Choi N, Kim HN. Brain physiome: A concept bridging in vitro 3D brain models and in silico models for predicting drug toxicity in the brain. Bioact Mater 2022; 13:135-148. [PMID: 35224297 PMCID: PMC8843968 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2021.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last few decades, adverse reactions to pharmaceuticals have been evaluated using 2D in vitro models and animal models. However, with increasing computational power, and as the key drivers of cellular behavior have been identified, in silico models have emerged. These models are time-efficient and cost-effective, but the prediction of adverse reactions to unknown drugs using these models requires relevant experimental input. Accordingly, the physiome concept has emerged to bridge experimental datasets with in silico models. The brain physiome describes the systemic interactions of its components, which are organized into a multilevel hierarchy. Because of the limitations in obtaining experimental data corresponding to each physiome component from 2D in vitro models and animal models, 3D in vitro brain models, including brain organoids and brain-on-a-chip, have been developed. In this review, we present the concept of the brain physiome and its hierarchical organization, including cell- and tissue-level organizations. We also summarize recently developed 3D in vitro brain models and link them with the elements of the brain physiome as a guideline for dataset collection. The connection between in vitro 3D brain models and in silico modeling will lead to the establishment of cost-effective and time-efficient in silico models for the prediction of the safety of unknown drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoojin Seo
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Seokyoung Bang
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongtae Son
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongsup Kim
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Jeong
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Pilnam Kim
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihun Yang
- Next&Bio Inc., Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon-Ho Eom
- Medical Device Research Division, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Cheongju, 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Nakwon Choi
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Nam Kim
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Yonsei-KIST Convergence Research Institute, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
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Composite Norland Optical Adhesive (NOA)/silicon flow focusing devices for colloidal particle manipulation and synthesis. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2022.129808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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43
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Tissue engineering approaches for the in vitro production of spermatids to treat male infertility: A review. Eur Polym J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2022.111318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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44
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Messelmani T, Morisseau L, Sakai Y, Legallais C, Le Goff A, Leclerc E, Jellali R. Liver organ-on-chip models for toxicity studies and risk assessment. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:2423-2450. [PMID: 35694831 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00307d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The liver is a key organ that plays a pivotal role in metabolism and ensures a variety of functions in the body, including homeostasis, synthesis of essential components, nutrient storage, and detoxification. As the centre of metabolism for exogenous molecules, the liver is continuously exposed to a wide range of compounds, such as drugs, pesticides, and environmental pollutants. Most of these compounds can cause hepatotoxicity and lead to severe and irreversible liver damage. To study the effects of chemicals and drugs on the liver, most commonly, animal models or in vitro 2D cell cultures are used. However, data obtained from animal models lose their relevance when extrapolated to the human metabolic situation and pose ethical concerns, while 2D static cultures are poorly predictive of human in vivo metabolism and toxicity. As a result, there is a widespread need to develop relevant in vitro liver models for toxicology studies. In recent years, progress in tissue engineering, biomaterials, microfabrication, and cell biology has created opportunities for more relevant in vitro models for toxicology studies. Of these models, the liver organ-on-chip (OoC) has shown promising results by reproducing the in vivo behaviour of the cell/organ or a group of organs, the controlled physiological micro-environment, and in vivo cellular metabolic responses. In this review, we discuss the development of liver organ-on-chip technology and its use in toxicity studies. First, we introduce the physiology of the liver and summarize the traditional experimental models for toxicity studies. We then present liver OoC technology, including the general concept, materials used, cell sources, and different approaches. We review the prominent liver OoC and multi-OoC integrating the liver for drug and chemical toxicity studies. Finally, we conclude with the future challenges and directions for developing or improving liver OoC models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taha Messelmani
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, CNRS, Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Centre de Recherche Royallieu CS 60319, 60203 Compiègne Cedex, France.
| | - Lisa Morisseau
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, CNRS, Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Centre de Recherche Royallieu CS 60319, 60203 Compiègne Cedex, France.
| | - Yasuyuki Sakai
- CNRS IRL 2820, Laboratory for Integrated Micro Mechatronic Systems, Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Cécile Legallais
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, CNRS, Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Centre de Recherche Royallieu CS 60319, 60203 Compiègne Cedex, France.
| | - Anne Le Goff
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, CNRS, Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Centre de Recherche Royallieu CS 60319, 60203 Compiègne Cedex, France.
| | - Eric Leclerc
- CNRS IRL 2820, Laboratory for Integrated Micro Mechatronic Systems, Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan.
| | - Rachid Jellali
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, CNRS, Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Centre de Recherche Royallieu CS 60319, 60203 Compiègne Cedex, France.
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Investigation of Solvent-Assisted In-Mold Bonding of Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) Microfluidic Chips. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:mi13060965. [PMID: 35744579 PMCID: PMC9230383 DOI: 10.3390/mi13060965] [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: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The bonding of microfluidic chips is an essential process to enclose microchannels or microchambers in a lab-on-a-chip. In order to improve the bonding quality while reducing the fabrication time, a solvent-assisted bonding strategy was proposed to seal the microchannels immediately after the cover sheet and substrate chip was injection molded in a single mold. Proper organic solvents were selected and the influences of solvent ratios on the surface roughness, microchannel morphology, and contact angle of microfluidic chips were investigated. When the solvent bonding was integrated in the mold, the influences of solvent volume fraction, solvent dosage, bonding pressure, and bonding time on the bonding quality were analyzed. Results show that the solvent cyclohexane needs to be mixed with isopropanol to reduce the dissolution effect. Solvent treatment is suggested to be performed on the cover sheet with a cyclohexane volume fraction of 70% and a dose of 1.5 mL, a bonding pressure of 2 MPa, and a bonding time of 240 s. The bonding strength reaches 913 kPa with the optimized parameters, while the microchannel deformation was controlled below 8%.
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46
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Shakeri A, Jarad NA, Khan S, F Didar T. Bio-functionalization of microfluidic platforms made of thermoplastic materials: A review. Anal Chim Acta 2022; 1209:339283. [PMID: 35569863 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2021.339283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
As a result of their favorable physical and chemical characteristics, thermoplastics have garnered significant interest in the area of microfluidics. The moldable nature of these inexpensive polymers enables easy fabrication, while their durability and chemical stability allow for resistance to high shear stress conditions and functionalization, respectively. This review provides a comprehensive examination several commonly used thermoplastic polymers in the microfluidics space including poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), cyclic olefin polymer (COP) and copolymer (COC), polycarbonates (PC), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), polystyrene (PS), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and polyester. We describe various biofunctionalization strategies applied within thermoplastic microfluidic platforms and their resultant applications. Lastly, emerging technologies with a focus on applying recently developed microfluidic and biofunctionalization strategies into thermoplastic systems are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amid Shakeri
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L7, Canada
| | - Noor Abu Jarad
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Shadman Khan
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Tohid F Didar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L7, Canada; School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada.
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47
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Schaumburg F, Vidocevich JP, Gerlero GS, Pujato N, Macagno J, Kler PA, Berli CLA. A free customizable tool for easy integration of microfluidics and smartphones. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8969. [PMID: 35624294 PMCID: PMC9142529 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13099-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The integration of smartphones and microfluidics is nowadays the best possible route to achieve effective point-of-need testing (PONT), a concept increasingly demanded in the fields of human health, agriculture, food safety, and environmental monitoring. Nevertheless, efforts are still required to integrally seize all the advantages of smartphones, as well as to share the developments in easily adoptable formats. For this purpose, here we present the free platform appuente that was designed for the easy integration of microfluidic chips, smartphones, and the cloud. It includes a mobile app for end users, which provides chip identification and tracking, guidance and control, processing, smart-imaging, result reporting and cloud and Internet of Things (IoT) integration. The platform also includes a web app for PONT developers, to easily customize their mobile apps and manage the data of administered tests. Three application examples were used to validate appuente: a dummy grayscale detector that mimics quantitative colorimetric tests, a root elongation assay for pesticide toxicity assessment, and a lateral flow immunoassay for leptospirosis detection. The platform openly offers fast prototyping of smartphone apps to the wide community of lab-on-a-chip developers, and also serves as a friendly framework for new techniques, IoT integration and further capabilities. Exploiting these advantages will certainly help to enlarge the use of PONT with real-time connectivity in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Schaumburg
- Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química (INTEC, UNL-CONICET), Colectora RN 168, S3000GLN, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Juan P Vidocevich
- Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química (INTEC, UNL-CONICET), Colectora RN 168, S3000GLN, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Gabriel S Gerlero
- Centro de Investigación de Métodos Computacionales (CIMEC, UNL-CONICET), Colectora RN 168, S3000GLN, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Nazarena Pujato
- Laboratorio de Tecnología Inmunológica (FBCB, UNL), Colectora RN 168, S3000GLN, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Joana Macagno
- Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química (INTEC, UNL-CONICET), Colectora RN 168, S3000GLN, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Pablo A Kler
- Centro de Investigación de Métodos Computacionales (CIMEC, UNL-CONICET), Colectora RN 168, S3000GLN, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Claudio L A Berli
- Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química (INTEC, UNL-CONICET), Colectora RN 168, S3000GLN, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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48
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Li W, Chaihu L, Jiang J, Wu B, Zheng X, Dai R, Tian Y, Huang Y, Wang G, Men Y. Microfluidic Platform for Time-Resolved Characterization of Protein Higher-Order Structures and Dynamics Using Top-Down Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2022; 94:7520-7527. [PMID: 35584038 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c00077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Characterization of protein higher-order structures and dynamics is essential for understanding the biological functions of proteins and revealing the underlying mechanisms. Top-down mass spectrometry (MS) accesses structural information at both the intact protein level and the peptide fragment level. Native top-down MS allows analysis of a protein complex's architecture and subunits' identity and modifications. Top-down hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) MS offers high spatial resolution for conformational or binding interface analysis and enables conformer-specific characterization. A microfluidic chip can provide superior performance for front-end reactions useful for these MS workflows, such as flexibility in manipulating multiple reactant flows, integrating various functional modules, and automation. However, most microchip-MS devices are designed for bottom-up approaches or top-down proteomics. Here, we demonstrate a strategy for designing a microchip for top-down MS analysis of protein higher-order structures and dynamics. It is suitable for time-resolved native MS and HDX MS, with designs aiming for efficient ionization of intact protein complexes, flexible manipulation of multiple reactant flows, and precise control of reaction times over a broad range of flow rates on the submicroliter per minute scale. The performance of the prototype device is demonstrated by measurements of systems including monoclonal antibodies, antibody-antigen complexes, and coexisting protein conformers. This strategy may benefit elaborate structural analysis of biomacromolecules and inspire method development using the microchip-MS approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Li
- Research Center for Biomedical Optics and Molecular Imaging, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Lingxiao Chaihu
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China.,Institute of Cell Analysis, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China
| | - Jialu Jiang
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Bizhu Wu
- Research Center for Biomedical Optics and Molecular Imaging, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xuan Zheng
- Research Center for Biomedical Optics and Molecular Imaging, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Rongrong Dai
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ye Tian
- Institute of Cell Analysis, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China
| | - Yanyi Huang
- Institute of Cell Analysis, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China.,Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Centre, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Guanbo Wang
- Institute of Cell Analysis, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China.,Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Centre, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yongfan Men
- Research Center for Biomedical Optics and Molecular Imaging, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
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49
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Microfluidics Technology in SARS-CoV-2 Diagnosis and Beyond: A Systematic Review. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12050649. [PMID: 35629317 PMCID: PMC9146058 DOI: 10.3390/life12050649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
With the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic, new technologies are being implemented for more rapid, scalable, and sensitive diagnostics. The implementation of microfluidic techniques and their amalgamation with different detection techniques has led to innovative diagnostics kits to detect SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, antigens, and nucleic acids. In this review, we explore the different microfluidic-based diagnostics kits and how their amalgamation with the various detection techniques has spearheaded their availability throughout the world. Three other online databases, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, were referred for articles. One thousand one hundred sixty-four articles were determined with the search algorithm of microfluidics followed by diagnostics and SARS-CoV-2. We found that most of the materials used to produce microfluidics devices were the polymer materials such as PDMS, PMMA, and others. Centrifugal force is the most commonly used fluid manipulation technique, followed by electrochemical pumping, capillary action, and isotachophoresis. The implementation of the detection technique varied. In the case of antibody detection, spectrometer-based detection was most common, followed by fluorescence-based as well as colorimetry-based. In contrast, antigen detection implemented electrochemical-based detection followed by fluorescence-based detection, and spectrometer-based detection were most common. Finally, nucleic acid detection exclusively implements fluorescence-based detection with a few colorimetry-based detections. It has been further observed that the sensitivity and specificity of most devices varied with implementing the detection-based technique alongside the fluid manipulation technique. Most microfluidics devices are simple and incorporate the detection-based system within the device. This simplifies the deployment of such devices in a wide range of environments. They can play a significant role in increasing the rate of infection detection and facilitating better health services.
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50
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Selemani M, Castiaux AD, Martin RS. PolyJet-Based 3D Printing against Micromolds to Produce Channel Structures for Microchip Electrophoresis. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:13362-13370. [PMID: 35474767 PMCID: PMC9026087 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c01265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we demonstrate the ability to use micromolds along with a stacked three-dimensional (3D) printing process on a commercially available PolyJet printer to fabricate microchip electrophoresis devices that have a T-intersection, with channel cross sections as small as 48 × 12 μm2 being possible. The fabrication process involves embedding removable materials or molds during the printing process, with various molds being possible (wires, brass molds, PDMS molds, or sacrificial materials). When the molds are delaminated/removed, recessed features complementary to the molds are left in the 3D prints. A thermal lab press is used to bond the microchannel layer that also contains printed reservoirs against another solid 3D-printed part to completely seal the microchannels. The devices exhibited cathodic electroosmotic flow (EOF), and mixtures of fluorescein isothiocyanate isomer I (FITC)-labeled amino acids were successfully separated on these 3D-printed devices using both gated and pinched electrokinetic injections. While this application is focused on microchip electrophoresis, the ability to 3D-print against molds that can subsequently be removed is a general methodology to decrease the channel size for other applications as well as to possibly integrate 3D printing with other production processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Major
A. Selemani
- Department
of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, 3501 Laclede Ave., St. Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
| | - Andre D. Castiaux
- Center
for Additive Manufacturing, Saint Louis
University, 240 N Grand
Blvd, Saint Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
| | - R. Scott Martin
- Department
of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, 3501 Laclede Ave., St. Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
- Center
for Additive Manufacturing, Saint Louis
University, 240 N Grand
Blvd, Saint Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
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