Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Ruben van den Eeckhoudt, An-Sofie Christiaens, Frederik Ceyssens, Vasileios Vangalis, Kevin J. Verstrepen, Nico Boon, Filip Tavernier, Michael Kraft, Irene Taurino
Summary: This paper presents a microfluidic device that combines a method for capturing, analyzing, and selectively releasing single cells with full-electricity. The device validates a new Two-Voltage method for capturing single cells by positive dielectrophoresis (pDEP) and utilizes broadband electrochemical impedance spectroscopy for cell analysis. The device also allows for selective release of trapped cells by turning off the pDEP signal in their trap.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Ruben Van den Eeckhoudt, An-Sofie Christiaens, Frederik Ceyssens, Vasileios Vangalis, Kevin J. Verstrepen, Nico Boon, Filip Tavernier, Michael Kraft, Irene Taurino
Summary: This paper introduces a microfluidic device for full-electric cell capturing, analyzing, and selectively releasing single cells. The device was experimentally demonstrated on Saccharomyces cerevisiae, showing potential for small-scale, high-throughput single-cell analysis and sorting.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shitao Shen, Xiaofeng Qin, Haoqiang Feng, Shuting Xie, Zichuan Yi, Mingliang Jin, Guofu Zhou, Eser Metin Akinoglu, Paul Mulvaney, Lingling Shui
Summary: In this paper, an electromicrofluidic assembly platform (eMAP) is proposed and validated for achieving 3D colloidal assembly within water droplets. By using dielectrophoresis and (di)electrowetting effects, reconfigurable colloidal configurations can be observed and dynamically programmed. This platform allows designable chemical and physical anisotropies for functional materials and devices, and enables high throughput mass production of microcapsules and optoelectronic units.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
R. D. Allert, F. Bruckmaier, N. R. Neuling, F. A. Freire-Moschovitis, K. S. Liu, C. Schrepel, P. Schaetzle, P. Knittel, M. Hermans, D. B. Bucher
Summary: Lab-on-a-chip (LOC) applications have become important scientific tools, offering miniaturization, complex functionality, reproducibility, and high throughput. However, extensive sensor miniaturization is needed for full advantage, which has been challenging for quantum sensors. This study presents a fully integrated microfluidic platform for solid-state spin quantum sensors, enabling novel chemical analysis capabilities within LOC devices.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Antoine Enel, Jerome Vial, Didier Thiebaut, Bertrand Bourlon
Summary: This article presents a new DMFP platform for handling gaseous samples, involving a two-step digital preconcentration to increase preconcentration factors. By bypassing the breakthrough volume limit, the system enables easier monitoring of model compounds and promising applications in volatile compound analysis devices.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jolien Breukers, Karen Ven, Caroline Struyfs, Louanne Ampofo, Iene Rutten, Maya Imbrechts, Francesca Pollet, Julie Van Lent, Winnie Kerstens, Sam Noppen, Dominique Schols, Paul De Munter, Hendrik Jan Thibaut, Karen Vanhoorelbeke, Dragana Spasic, Paul Declerck, Bruno P. A. Cammue, Nick Geukens, Karin Thevissen, Jeroen Lammertyn
Summary: FLUIDOT is a versatile microfluidic platform that incorporates customizable microwells, optical tweezers, and an interchangeable cell-retrieval system. It is straightforward to fabricate and operate, making it widely accessible. FLUIDOT's performance and flexibility have been validated and demonstrated in two applications, allowing for the study and screening of single cells.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Abdalla M. Abdrabou, Bill T. Duong, Kangfu Chen, Randy Singh Atwal, Mahmoud Labib, Sichun Lin, Stephane Angers, Shana O. Kelley
Summary: Genome-wide loss-of-function screens are important for identifying novel genetic regulators of intracellular proteins. However, studying the changes in protein expression profile can be challenging due to localization differences. This study introduces nuPRISM, a microfluidics chip for large-scale isolated nuclei sorting, that enables rapid genome-wide loss-of-function screens for intranuclear targets.
ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jonas M. Nikoloff, Mario A. Saucedo-Espinosa, Petra S. Dittrich
Summary: By analyzing the protein profiles of single extracellular vesicles (EVs), we found that EVs released by a single cell can represent its cell of origin. The microfluidic platform we used allowed for immobilization of EVs from individual cells, reducing the heterogeneity seen in cell populations. Through immunostaining and fluorescence microscopy, we determined the biochemical characteristics of membrane and cytosolic proteins in EVs. Our study demonstrates the potential of EVs as diagnostic markers and provides a method for studying EV biogenesis.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Ramesh Utharala, Anna Grab, Vida Vafaizadeh, Nicolas Peschke, Martine Ballinger, Denes Turei, Nadine Tuechler, Wenwei Ma, Olga Ivanova, Alejandro Gil Ortiz, Julio Saez-Rodriguez, Christoph A. Merten
Summary: This protocol introduces a droplet microfluidics platform for generating droplets with different chemical contents and sorting them based on fluorescence signals. The platform is compact, versatile, and cost efficient, making it suitable for various applications such as drug screening.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hei-Jen Jou, Pei-Hsuan Lo, Pei-Ying Ling
Summary: The purpose of this review is to highlight recent advances in the application of microfluidic technology on non-invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD). Immunoaffinity based microfluidic technology is the most common approach, followed by size-based methods. Immunoaffinity microfluidic methods can enrich and isolate fetal cells for NIPD using specific antibodies, while size-based microfluidic systems are only applicable for isolating fetal cells. Most studies using immunoaffinity microfluidic system had good results, obtaining enough fetal cells for chromosomal and/or genetic analysis in all blood samples. However, studies using size-based microfluidic systems for NIPD had less ideal results. In conclusion, recent advances in microfluidic devices make the immunoaffinity based microfluidic system potentially a powerful tool for cell-based NIPD, but further clinical validation is needed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Peilong Li, Jiaci Chen, Yuqing Chen, Shangling Song, Xiaowen Huang, Yang Yang, Yanru Li, Yao Tong, Yan Xie, Juan Li, Shunxiang Li, Jiayi Wang, Kun Qian, Chuanxin Wang, Lutao Du
Summary: In this study, a 3D porous sponge microfluidic chip with an exosome enrichment platform was constructed, achieving a capture efficiency of approximately 90%. A specific exosome membrane protein (SORL1) for colorectal cancer was identified through deep mass spectrometry analysis, and a specific quantum dot labeling method for SORL1 detection was developed. An ensemble classification system was established using features extracted from 64-patched fluorescence images, and it showed a significantly higher area under the curve (AUC) of 0.99 compared to the conventional biomarker carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) with an AUC of 0.71. This system demonstrated similar diagnostic performance for early-stage CRC, young CRC, and CEA-negative CRC patients.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Zheng Li, Liyan Hua, Liming Xie, Dou Wang, Xingyu Jiang
Summary: There is an urgent need for point-of-care testing (POCT) devices that can integrate sample pretreatment and nucleic acid detection rapidly, economically, and without requiring extensive labor. In this study, we have developed an automated, portable nucleic acid detection system that combines microfluidic chips with rotary valve-assisted sample pretreatment and recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA)-T7-Cas13a for one-step nucleic acid detection. Our method achieved a detection sensitivity of 8 copies/reaction for Group B streptococci (GBS) DNA, which is 6 times more sensitive than gold-standard polymerase chain reactions (PCRs). The integration of RPA and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas13a ensures ultra-specificity, accurately detecting GBS from 8 different types of pathogenic bacteria. The assay achieved 100% accuracy compared to PCR for 16 positive and 24 negative clinical GBS samples, with the entire procedure completed automatically within 30 minutes, providing a robust, sensitive, and accurate molecular diagnostic tool for POCT.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Gareth W. H. Evans, Wahida T. Bhuiyan, Susan Pang, Brett Warren, Kyriacos Makris, Sharon Coleman, Sammer-ul Hassan, Xize Niu
Summary: Real-time point-of-care monitoring of chemical biomarkers holds great potential in disease diagnostics and precision medicine. A prototype device described in this paper is capable of autonomously performing ELISA at a high frequency using droplet microfluidics, showing promising results for rapid and accurate detection of biomarkers like cortisol. This approach could serve as a platform technology for measurement or continuous monitoring of biomarkers at the point-of-care.
Article
Oncology
Sanjiban Chakrabarty, William F. Quiros-Solano, Maayke M. P. Kuijten, Ben Haspels, Sandeep Mallya, Calvin Shun Yu Lo, Amr Othman, Cinzia Silvestri, Anja van de Stolpe, Nikolas Gaio, Hanny Odijk, Marieke van de Ven, Corrina M. A. de Ridder, Wytske M. van Weerden, Jos Jonkers, Ronald Dekker, Nitika Taneja, Roland Kanaar, Dik C. van Gent
Summary: This study developed a microfluidic platform for evaluating cancer treatment response and predicting drug efficacy in breast and prostate tumors. By culturing tumor slices under controlled growth conditions, the platform allows reliable assessment of chemotherapeutic sensitivity and enables detailed mechanistic studies.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Marek Plata, William Hale, Manvendra Sharma, Jorn M. Werner, Marcel Utz
Summary: A microfluidic platform enabling in operando NMR observation of serial mixing experiments is introduced. The system utilizes NMR for non-invasive quantification of concentrations and monitoring of structural changes at the molecular level. This approach provides a new method for experiments involving gradually adding reagents and tracking their effects.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Irina Veith, Arianna Mencattini, Valentin Picant, Marco Serra, Marine Leclerc, Maria Colomba Comes, Fathia Mami-Chouaib, Jacques Camonis, Stephanie Descroix, Hamasseh Shirvani, Fatima Mechta-Grigoriou, Gerard Zalcman, Maria Carla Parrini, Eugenio Martinelli
Summary: By simulating the tumor microenvironment and developing novel video analysis algorithms, this study reveals the spatiotemporal dynamics of cancer cell death and the potential cell-cell communication involved. Furthermore, it confirms the significant role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in breast cancer chemo-resistance.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Lauriane Onfroy-Roy, Dimitri Hamel, Laurent Malaquin, Audrey Ferrand
Summary: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related death. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease have an increased risk of CRC. The interactions between fibroblasts and ISCs in the colon may play a crucial role in the initiation of CRC due to chronic inflammation. Despite improvements in CRC treatment, including better detection and drug strategies, CRC remains a public health concern.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Lucio Litti, Stefano Trivini, Davide Ferraro, Javier Reguera
Summary: Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is an ideal technique for environmental and biomedical sensor devices due to its highly informative vibrational features and ultrasensitive nature. The use of Janus magnetic/plasmonic Fe3O4/Au nanostars (JMNSs) as SERS colloidal substrates allows for quantitative determination of analytes with the additional amplification of SERS signals using an external magnetic field, showing promising applications in various fields.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Alessio Meggiolaro, Sebastian Cremaschini, Davide Ferraro, Annamaria Zaltron, Mattia Carneri, Matteo Pierno, Cinzia Sada, Giampaolo Mistura
Summary: The actuation of droplets on a surface is crucial for microfluidic applications. One promising solution is to use iron-doped lithium niobate crystals to generate an evanescent electric field that controls the motion of water droplets. This study presents an experimental method to determine the attractive force exerted by the evanescent field and demonstrates the importance of these measurements for the design and characterization of optofluidic devices based on lithium niobate crystals.
Review
Cell Biology
Gozde Eke, Laurence Vaysse, Xi Yao, Melanie Escudero, Audrey Carriere, Emmanuelle Trevisiol, Christophe Vieu, Christian Dani, Louis Casteilla, Laurent Malaquin
Summary: 3D cell aggregates provide more realistic cellular interactions and self-evolving capabilities compared to cell suspensions or monolayers, making them powerful tools for generating microtissues. Developing specific methodologies to organize these cell aggregates into 3D architectures has become essential for regenerative medicine and pharmaceutical screening purposes.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Alessio Meggiolaro, Valentina Moccia, Paola Brun, Matteo Pierno, Giampaolo Mistura, Valentina Zappulli, Davide Ferraro
Summary: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are receiving considerable attention in the biological and medical fields due to their role as natural carriers of genetic information and their potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in various diseases. However, conventional methods for EV isolation have limitations, and microfluidic approaches have been proposed as a solution. This review summarizes the most important microfluidic-based devices for EV isolation and their advantages and disadvantages compared to existing technology.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Maria Poles, Alessio Meggiolaro, Sebastian Cremaschini, Filippo Marinello, Daniele Filippi, Matteo Pierno, Giampaolo Mistura, Davide Ferraro
Summary: Magnetic beads are widely used in biochemical assays for purification and quantification of cells, nucleic acids, or proteins. However, their use in microfluidic devices is limited by precipitation due to their size and density. In this study, a shaking device is developed to prevent the sedimentation of magnetic beads, allowing for equal distribution in droplets without affecting droplet generation.
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Victor Fournie, Bastien Venzac, Emmanuelle Trevisiol, Julie Foncy, Julien Roul, Sandrine Assie-Souleille, Pierre Joseph, Arnaud Reitz, Melanie Escudero, Laurent Malaquin
Summary: 3D printing and bioprinting are important technologies for constructing complex micro-devices and culture models. The 3D-FlowPrint concept combines microfluidics and photopolymerization to achieve high-resolution multimaterial printing. This technology allows for the creation of sub-millimetric to millimetric scale objects with multimaterial designs.
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Melanie Escudero, Laurence Vaysse, Gozde Eke, Marion Peyrou, Francesc Villarroya, Sophie Bonnel, Yannick Jeanson, Louisa Boyer, Christophe Vieu, Benoit Chaput, Xi Yao, Frederic Deschaseaux, Melissa Parny, Isabelle Raymond-Letron, Christian Dani, Audrey Carriere, Laurent Malaquin, Louis Casteilla
Summary: This study presents a scalable tissue engineering strategy to generate in vitro human beige adipose tissue models. The engineered method promotes beige adipogenesis and vascularization using specific environmental and chemical parameters. The resulting vascularized organoids display key features of native beige adipose tissue.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Remi Courson, Oleksii Bratash, Ali Maziz, Cloe Desmet, Ricardo Alvarado Meza, Loic Leroy, Elodie Engel, Arnaud Buhot, Laurent Malaquin, Thierry Leichle
Summary: This article presents a polymer version of a silicon MEMS drop deposition tool for surface functionalization. The tool consists of a microcantilever with an open fluidic channel and reservoir, fabricated using laser stereolithography. The incorporation of a magnetic base allows for convenient handling and attachment to a robotized stage. The capability of printing droplets ranging from 50 μm to 300 μm is demonstrated, and the influences of cantilever tip and reservoir size and shape on printing outcome are studied. The biofunctionalization capability of this 3D printed droplet dispenser is proven by fabricating microarrays of oligonucleotides and antibodies with high specificity and no cross-contamination, and depositing droplets on the tip of an optical fiber bundle.
MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Zacchari Ben Meriem, Tiphaine Mateo, Julien Faccini, Celine Denais, Romane Dusfour-Castan, Catherine Guynet, Tatiana Merle, Magali Suzanne, Mickael Di-Luoffo, Julie Guillermet-Guibert, Baptiste Alric, Sylvain Landiech, Laurent Malaquin, Fabien Mesnilgrente, Adrian Laborde, Laurent Mazenq, Remi Courson, Morgan Delarue
Summary: Conventional culture conditions lack dynamic control over the microenvironment, hindering the study of tissues and organisms. In this study, a microfluidic device with sliding elements is presented, allowing for the control of both chemical and mechanical compressive forces. By confining micro-tissues, the impact of growth-induced pressure and macromolecular crowding was studied, shedding light on an understudied type of mechanical stress.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Zacchari Ben Meriem, Tiphaine Mateo, Julien Faccini, Celine Denais, Romane Dusfour-Castan, Catherine Guynet, Tatiana Merle, Magali Suzanne, Mickael Di-Luoffo, Julie Guillermet-Guibert, Baptiste Alric, Sylvain Landiech, Laurent Malaquin, Fabien Mesnilgrente, Adrian Laborde, Laurent Mazenq, Remi Courson, Morgan Delarue
Summary: Conventional culture conditions lack dynamic chemical and mechanical control over the microenvironment, making them insufficient for studying tissues, organisms, or 3D multicellular assemblies. This study presents a microfluidic device that allows control of both chemical and mechanical compressive forces, enabling the study of biological samples under specific conditions and the impact of mechanical compression. The device utilizes sliding elements to create reconfigurable closed culture chambers for the study of whole organisms or model micro-tissues.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Christos Papadopoulos, Anne Edith Larue, Clara Toulouze, Omar Mokhtari, Julien Lefort, Emmanuel Libert, Pauline Assemat, Pascal Swider, Laurent Malaquin, Yohan Davit
Summary: This study presents a novel micromodel technology to explore the development of bacterial biofilms in porous media flows. By combining the advantages of additive manufacturing and microfluidics, the researchers have created a platform to study the dynamics of biofilm development in three-dimensional porous media and to rapidly test new concepts in process engineering.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Mouhanad Babi, Roberto Riesco, Louisa Boyer, Ayodele Fatona, Angelo Accardo, Laurent Malaquin, Jose Moran-Mirabal
Summary: By coating cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) on 3D printed materials, the nanostructure and functionality of scaffolds for cell culture were modified, allowing tunable control over nanostructure density and thus attachment and morphology of prostate cancer cells. Functionalization can also be introduced onto scaffold surfaces through direct coating with functionalized CNCs or post-coating functionalization using biotin-streptavidin coupling. This method is a step towards creating in vitro scaffolds that mimic natural microenvironments at the nanoscale to better understand their impact on cells and develop artificial tissues.
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Harrison Specht, Edward Emmott, Aleksandra A. Petelski, R. Gray Huffman, David H. Perlman, Marco Serra, Peter Kharchenko, Antonius Koller, Nikolai Slavov
Summary: The SCoPE2 technology was developed to improve the accuracy and throughput of single-cell proteomics through automated sample preparation, revealing the gradual differences in the proteome of macrophages during the enhancement of heterogeneity and allowing differentiation of cell states.
