Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Daniel Vera, Maria Garcia-Diaz, Nuria Torras, Mar Alvarez, Rosa Villa, Elena Martinez
Summary: Researchers have integrated hydrogels into microfluidic setups to develop tissue barrier-on-chips that accurately account for different cellular and acellular compartments, including the cellular components and functionality of in vivo tissues. These platforms have the potential to greatly improve the predictive capacities of in vitro systems in applications such as drug development or disease modeling, but face challenges in microfabrication.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Rui-Chian Tang, Lily Shang, Philip O. Scumpia, Dino Di Carlo
Summary: Researchers have developed a novel crescent-shaped hydrogel scaffold with a microporous structure that allows for improved cell infiltration and expansion. With the use of microfluidic fabrication, the size of the cavities in the scaffold can be adjusted, leading to enhanced cellular network formation in vitro and in vivo. The results suggest that this new scaffold has the potential for superior functionality in tissue engineering applications.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Savannah R. Moses, Jonathan J. Adorno, Andre F. Palmer, Jonathan W. Song
Summary: Microfabricated vessels, also known as vessels-on-a-chip, integrate microscale flow phenomena, tissue-level biomolecular transport, cell-cell interactions, and 3-D extracellular matrix environments. These models offer more physiological features compared with traditional cell culture techniques and have great potential for advancing microvascular research.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Kamil Elkhoury, Margaretha Morsink, Laura Sanchez-Gonzalez, Cyril Kahn, Ali Tamayol, Elmira Arab-Tehrany
Summary: Natural hydrogels are highlighted as promising biomaterials in tissue engineering applications due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. Innovative biofabrication techniques, such as textile techniques and 3D bioprinting, play a significant role in developing advanced scaffolds for tissue engineering. This review also discusses the emerging applications of biofabricated natural hydrogels in cardiac, neural, and bone tissue engineering.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chengying Yin, Xingyu Jiang, Stephen Mann, Liangfei Tian, Bruce W. Drinkwater
Summary: The high throughput deposition of microscale objects with precise spatial arrangement is crucial in microfabrication technology. The utilization of dynamic acoustic fields offers a contactless approach to real-time reconfigurable miniaturized systems, with potential applications in various fields. This article discusses the physical interactions of microscale objects in an acoustic pressure field, the fabrication of acoustic trapping devices, methods to tune the spatial arrangement, and potential applications in different disciplines.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Shuai Deng, Xiaoyu Zhao, Yanlun Zhu, Ning Tang, Rongliang Wang, Xuerao Zhang, Fuyang Qu, Yi-Ping Ho, Wayne Yuk-Wai Lee, Jiansu Chen, Mingqiang Li, Yu Tao, Hon Fai Chan
Summary: Liver tissue engineering is advanced through the fabrication of collagen type I microspheres, enabling efficient hepatic differentiation of stem cells and assembly of prevascularized liver tissue. The microspheres exhibit high uniformity and can self-assemble with endothelial cells to form high cell-packing density liver tissue. This technology has potential applications in regenerative medicine, drug screening, and in vitro liver modeling.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Emily I. Liu, Elizabeth Footner, Anita Quigley, Chris Baker, Peter Foley, Elena Pirogova, Robert M. I. Kapsa, Cathal D. O'Connell
Summary: A novel method is demonstrated to create perfusable channels with small diameters within cell-laden hydrogel matrices, by encapsulating polycaprolactone fibers printed using melt-electrowriting in hydrogels and then physically removing them. The channels produced have circular cross-sections and can be formed in various patterns and densities, matching the average capillary density in the human body. This technique shows promising potential for applications such as in vitro tissue models and hydrogel microfluidics.
MACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Daniel W. Simmons, David R. Schuftan, Ghiska Ramahdita, Nathaniel Huebsch
Summary: Tissue-engineered in vitro models are important tools in biomedical research. However, controlling the geometry of microscale tissues is challenging. In this study, a double molding approach was developed to replicate high-resolution stereolithographic prints into PDMS elastomer, facilitating rapid design iterations and parallelized sample production. Additionally, this method minimizes the transfer of toxic materials from the original 3D print into the PDMS replica, enhancing its use for biological applications.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
In-Kyu Lee, Ruosen Xie, Agustin Luz-Madrigal, Seunghwan Min, Jingcheng Zhu, Jiahe Jin, Kimberly L. Edwards, M. Joseph Phillips, Allison L. Ludwig, David M. Gamm, Shaoqin Gong, Zhenqiang Ma
Summary: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can lead to blindness by causing the loss of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptors (PRs), which are the outermost layers of the retina. To reconstruct the outer retina, especially in later stage AMD and other macular dystrophies, scaffolds have been developed. Microfabricated, honeycomb-patterned, biodegradable poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) scaffolds were created to deliver organized layers of RPE and PRs to the subretinal space, and an optimized process was developed to shorten scaffold production time. These scaffolds successfully supported the seeding of human pluripotent stem cell-derived RPE and PRs, either separately or as a dual cell-layered construct. They have the potential to accelerate retinal cell transplantation efforts and benefit patients with AMD and other retinal degenerative diseases.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Chloe D. Devillard, Christophe A. Marquette
Summary: The field of biofabrication has seen significant advancements in recent years, particularly in 3D bioprinting technologies. By combining improvements in fabrication methods, cell source availability, biomaterial formulation, and vascular tissue development, new strategies for creating blood vessels that meet clinical needs are being developed.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Ines Miranda, Andrews Souza, Paulo Sousa, Joao Ribeiro, Elisabete M. S. Castanheira, Rui Lima, Graca Minas
Summary: This review provides an overview of the properties of PDMS and its applications in the field of micro and nanoengineering. PDMS is widely used in biomedical applications due to its excellent optical, electrical, and mechanical properties, as well as biocompatibility. The introduction of the soft-lithography technique has facilitated the rapid prototyping of micro and nanostructures using PDMS, leading to advances in microfluidics, electronics, and biomedicine.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL BIOMATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xinyu Wang, Vincent Chan, Peter R. Corridon
Summary: Vascular diseases cause severe damage and current treatments include medications, rehabilitation, and surgery. Vascular replacement therapy (VRT) is often required, but current methods have complications. Vascular tissue engineering using decellularization techniques shows promise to address these issues.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Raviraj Thakur, Gene Y. Fridman
Summary: Rapid prototyping methods enable non-engineering users to create microfluidic devices in a fast, simple, and inexpensive way. This study developed a liquid molding technique using wet paper molds to fabricate silicone/PDMS microfluidic devices. The influence of process parameters on device yield and quality was assessed. The method offers adjustable channel cross-section shape and utilizes electrical impedance as a marker for inspecting mold quality and identifying defects without visual tools.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Manuele Gori, Gianluca Vadala, Sara Maria Giannitelli, Vincenzo Denaro, Giovanni Di Pino
Summary: Neural-interfaced prostheses restore sensorimotor limb functions in amputees via bidirectional neural interfaces, but intraneural electrodes may cause a Foreign Body Reaction, affecting their long-term stability and functionality.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ximin Yuan, Zhou Zhu, Pengcheng Xia, Zhenjia Wang, Xiao Zhao, Xiao Jiang, Tianming Wang, Qing Gao, Jie Xu, Debin Shan, Bin Guo, Qingqiang Yao, Yong He
Summary: Tough hydrogel is difficult to be used for tissue regeneration due to its poor biocompatibility, nondegradation, and compositional differences from natural tissues. This study proposes a gelatin-based tough hydrogel (GBTH) that overcomes these limitations. GBTH exhibits excellent tensile strength and can be sutured to ruptured tendons, promoting tendon differentiation and allowing quick return to the initial state within eight weeks. This strategy provides a new avenue for highly biocompatible tough hydrogel preparation for tissue regeneration.
Review
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Turdimuhammad Abdullah, Esra Su, Adnan Memic
Summary: There is a need to develop next-generation medical products using biomaterials with improved properties, and cryogels are potential materials for this purpose. Cryogels, made by controlled crosslinking at subzero temperatures, have highly dense and crosslinked polymer walls, macroporous structures, and improved properties. Silk and its derivatives have gained interest for cryogel fabrication, and this review provides an overview of their use in scaffold design, including fabrication strategies to tune their properties and specific biomedical applications.
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Farhan Fuad Abir, Muhammad E. H. Chowdhury, Malisha Islam Tapotee, Adam Mushtak, Amith Khandakar, Sakib Mahmud, Md Anwarul Hasan
Summary: Researchers propose a deep learning framework called PCovNet+ for detecting COVID-19 infection through monitoring the user's Resting Heart Rate (RHR). The framework shows promising results in virus diagnosis and continuous health monitoring.
ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Humair Hussain, Asim Jilani, Numan Salah, Adnan Memic, Mohammad Omaish Ansari, Ahmed Alshahrie
Summary: Water is crucial for life and is a vital resource on Earth. However, water pollution is a major concern due to its negative impacts on both the environment and human health. Capacitive deionization (CDI) is being considered as an emerging water purification technique, and this study focuses on the CDI performance of CO2 activated carbon nanoparticles (AcNP) as free-standing electrodes.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohammad Oves, Mohammad Omaish Ansari, Mohammad Shahnawaze Ansari, Adnan Memic
Summary: The rise of antimicrobial resistance has increased the demand for the next generation of antimicrobial coatings. In this study, graphene@curcumin-copper coatings were prepared using a chemical synthesis method and characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photon scattering. The coatings showed uniform distribution of curcumin and copper, and exhibited antimicrobial properties through contact-killing mechanisms, potentially reducing the risk of nosocomial infections.
Article
Polymer Science
Abdullah H. Mohammed, Nikolina Kovacev, Amr Elshaer, Ammar A. Melaibari, Javed Iqbal, Hany Hassanin, Khamis Essa, Adnan Memic
Summary: Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) 3D printers have gained popularity in the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries. This study developed a new biomaterial filament, PLA/CPO, using wet solution mixing and extrusion. The filaments were characterized and the findings showed changes in viscosity, microstructure, and mechanical properties with varying CPO content. The PLA/CPO filament with 6% CPO showed acceptable surface morphology and strength, making it suitable for 3D printing applications such as bone scaffolds.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Turdimuhammad Abdullah, Gulmire Ilyasoglu, Adnan Memic
Summary: There is a need for circular and sustainable economies in high-tech industries, particularly in pharmaceuticals, by utilizing sustainable and renewable resources. Lignin, previously used as a low-grade burning fuel, has gained attention for biomedical applications due to its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. This review provides an overview of designing different forms of lignin-based biomaterials and their applications in drug delivery.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Muhammad Umar Aslam Khan, Goran M. Stojanovic, Rozita Hassan, T. Joseph Sahaya Anand, Maryam Al-Ejji, Anwarul Hasan
Summary: In this study, composite hydrogels made from gelatin and graphene oxide-functionalized bacterial cellulose were fabricated and crosslinked with tetraethyl orthosilicate. The hydrogels exhibited good surface morphology and wetting behavior. They showed excellent swelling, biodegradation, and water retention properties in response to biofluid. The hydrogels also exhibited antimicrobial activities and promoted cell viability and proliferation. Therefore, these hydrogels have potential as wound dressing materials for wound healing applications.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hossein Montazerian, Shameek Mitra, Alireza Hassani Najafabadi, Rasoul Seyedmahmoud, Yuting Zheng, Mehmet Remzi Dokmeci, Nasim Annabi, Ali Khademhosseini, Paul S. Weiss
Summary: Inspired by mussel adhesion, catechol functionalization has been widely used to impart adhesion to biomaterials. However, the bioadhesion capacity of catechol motifs in hydrogels that crosslink through free-radical-based systems is debated. This study reevaluates the bioadhesion efficacy of catechol functionalized gelatin biomolecules in methacryloyl-modified photo-cross-linkable biomaterials, and investigates the effects of catechol content on adhesion strength and hydrogel integrity. The cytotoxic and immunostimulatory effects of catechol groups are also evaluated for clinical applications.
ACS MATERIALS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Asad Ullah, Abdulla Al Mamun, Midhat Batool Zaidi, Talat Roome, Anwarul Hasan
Summary: Impaired wound healing is a common problem in diabetes patients, leading to severe complications. Chronic hypoxia is a major factor in delayed wound healing. This study developed a hydrogel containing oxygen-releasing nanoparticles to provide sustained delivery of oxygen. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed improved biocompatibility, cell proliferation, and migration, leading to accelerated wound closure in diabetic rat model.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Rida Badar, Saima Zulfiqar, Alap Ali Zahid, Nadia Mehmood, Rabia Zeeshan, Ayesha Nawaz, Najiya Al-Arifa, Anwarul Hasan, Sher Zaman Safi, Ihtesham Ur Rehman, Muhammad Yar
Summary: This study focused on the modification of advanced wound care products, specifically materials stimulating angiogenesis, by loading thyroxine into alginate dressings. The results showed that thyroxine loaded alginate dressings have high potential for promoting angiogenesis and fast wound healing.
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Alap Ali Zahid, Aishik Chakraborty, Wei Luo, Ali Coyle, Arghya Paul
Summary: Biobased nanoparticles are promising tools for biomedical research, but their commercial application has not been fully realized. In this perspective, advanced designs of biobased nanoparticles, such as cell membrane nanoparticles, exosomes, and synthetic lipid-derived nanoparticles, are discussed along with their benefits and potential challenges. The future use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in preparing these particles is also critically assessed. This field of research has the potential to greatly impact the rational design of drug transporters and improve therapeutic outcomes.
ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Muhammad Umar Aslam Khan, Goran M. Stojanovic, Roselinda Ab Rehman, Ali-Reza Moradi, Muhammad Rizwan, Nureddin Ashammakhi, Anwarul Hasan
Summary: Biopolymer-based bioactive hydrogels exhibit excellent properties for wound healing applications. The study explored the synthesis and characterization of bioactive hydrogels made from bacterial cellulose and gelatin. The hydrogels demonstrated desirable swelling behavior, controlled drug release kinetics, and showed good cell compatibility and antibacterial activity.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Safoora Khosravi, Saeid Soltanian, Amir Servati, Ali Khademhosseini, Yangzhi Zhu, Peyman Servati
Summary: Wearable sweat biosensors embedded in textile substrates have gained attention for noninvasive monitoring of health parameters. A flexible electrochemical glucose sensor that can be screen-printed onto a textile substrate is demonstrated, achieving a linear response in the range of 20-1000μM of glucose concentration with high sensitivity and stability. These textile-based biosensors show high selectivity towards glucose and have the potential to impact the next generation of wearable devices.
Article
Dermatology
Roohollah Ebrahimpour-Malekshah, Abdollah Amini, Atarodalsadat Mostafavinia, Houssein Ahmadi, Fatemeh Zare, Sobhan Safaju, Amirhossein Shahbazi, Sufan Chien, Fatemehalsadat Rezaei, Anwarul Hasan, Mohammad Bayat
Summary: We investigated the impact of PBM and ha-ADS alone or in combination on the parameters of repairing tissues in diabetic rats. The results showed that the combination of PBM and ha-ADS had better outcomes compared to ha-ADS and PBM alone.
ARCHIVES OF DERMATOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Automation & Control Systems
Baishali Kanjilal, Yangzhi Zhu, Vaishali Krishnadoss, Janitha M. M. Unagolla, Parnian Saemian, Alessia Caci, Danial Cheraghali, Iman Dehzangi, Ali Khademhosseini, Iman Noshadi
Summary: Ionic liquids (ILs) have unique properties that make them promising candidates for biomedical applications, but their cytocompatibility limitations are enhanced by using bioionic liquids (BILs) derived from biological molecules. BILs can be synthesized and immobilized onto biopolymers, and their functionalization enables the design of responsive actuators and sensors. The cytocompatibility of BIL-functionalized polymers also makes them suitable for power storage and implantable devices. This review focuses on the recent advances of BILs in biomedical applications, specifically their use as functionalization agents for biopolymers and solvents for supermolecular ionic networks.
ADVANCED INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS
(2023)