Proteomics provides an understanding of biological systems by enabling the detailed study of protein expression profiles, which is crucial for early disease diagnosis. Microfluidic-based proteomics enhances this field by integrating complex proteome analysis into compact and efficient systems. This review focuses on developing microfluidic chip structures for proteomics, covering on-chip sample pretreatment, protein extraction, purification, and identification in recent years. Furthermore, our work aims to inspire researchers to select proper methodologies in designing novel, efficient assays for proteomics applications by analyzing trends and innovations in this field.
- MeSH
- Biosensing Techniques instrumentation methods MeSH
- Equipment Design MeSH
- Lab-On-A-Chip Devices * MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Microfluidics methods MeSH
- Microfluidic Analytical Techniques instrumentation MeSH
- Proteins analysis isolation & purification MeSH
- Proteome analysis isolation & purification chemistry MeSH
- Proteomics * methods MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Review MeSH
This study investigates various microfluidic chip fabrication techniques, highlighting their applicability and limitations in the context of urgent diagnostic needs showcased by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a detailed examination of methods such as computer numerical control milling of a polymethyl methacrylate, soft lithography for polydimethylsiloxane-based devices, xurography for glass-glass chips, and micromachining-based silicon-glass chips, we analyze each technique's strengths and trade-offs. Hence, we discuss the fabrication complexity and chip thermal properties, such as heating and cooling rates, which are essential features of chip utilization for a polymerase chain reaction. Our comparative analysis reveals critical insights into material challenges, design flexibility, and cost-efficiency, aiming to guide the development of robust and reliable microfluidic devices for healthcare and research. This work underscores the importance of selecting appropriate fabrication methods to optimize device functionality, durability, and production efficiency.
- MeSH
- COVID-19 * virology MeSH
- Equipment Design MeSH
- Dimethylpolysiloxanes chemistry MeSH
- Lab-On-A-Chip Devices * MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Microfluidics methods instrumentation MeSH
- Microfluidic Analytical Techniques instrumentation methods MeSH
- Polymethyl Methacrylate chemistry MeSH
- SARS-CoV-2 isolation & purification MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Comparative Study MeSH
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.
Mikrofluidika je inovativní obor, který se zabývá zpracováním malého množství kapaliny v mikrokanálech. V kombinaci s pokročilými analytickými technikami, jako je např. mikrofluidní PCR, nabízí významné výhody nejen pro analýzu genové exprese. Tato metoda využívá mikrokanály a mikroventily k přesnému dávkování a míchání činidel, čímž se minimalizuje spotřeba vzorku a činidla a také čas stráve‐ ný pipetováním. Tyto vlastnosti činí mikrofluidní PCR ideální pro analýzu genové exprese, kde je vyžadováno podrobné monitorování a kvantifikace mRNA. Jedním z přístrojů umožňujícím mikrofluidní PCR je Biomark X. Díky své schopnosti multiplexování a také díky své‐ mu mikrofluidnímu designu umožňuje analýzu mnoha vzorků současně. Tato pokročilá technologie má široké uplatnění v biologickém výzkumu, diagnostice a personalizované medicíně a nabízí nové příležitosti k objevování a pochopení genetických procesů.
Microfluidics is an innovative science that deals with the manipulation of small volumes of fluid in microchannels. In combination with advanced analytical techniques such as microfluidic PCR, it offers significant advantages not only for gene expression analysis. Microflui‐ dic PCR enables PCR reactions to be performed using very small sample volumes, as it utilizes microchannels and microvalves for precise reagent dispensing and mixing. This fact increases both sensitivity and accuracy of the analysis. The Biomark X instrument utilizes micro‐ fluidic PCR for gene expression analysis, as it is ideal for mRNA quantification. With its multiplexing capability and microfluidic design, it enables the analysis of multiple samples simultaneously. This advanced technology finds broad applications in biological research, diagnostics, and provides new opportunities for the discovery and understanding of genetic processes.
Mikročástice jsou široce používány v nesčetných oblastech průmyslu, jako jsou farmaceutika, potraviny, kosmetika a další. Ve srovnání s tradičními metodami pro syntézu mikročástic poskytují mikrofluidní techniky výkonné platformy pro vytváření vysoce kontrolovatelných kapek emulze jako šablon pro výrobu uniformních mikročástic s pokročilými strukturami a funkcemi. Mikrofluidní techniky mohou generovat kapky emulze s přesně řízenou velikostí, tvarem a složením. Přesnější proces přípravy je účinným nástroj ke kontrole profilu uvolňování léčiva a přináší také snadno dostupnou reprodukovatelnost. Článek poskytuje informace o základních nastaveních droplet-based techniky a příklady typů mikročástic připravitelných touto metodou.
Microparticles are widely used in myriad fields such as pharmaceuticals, foods, cosmetics, and other industrial fields. Compared with traditional methods for synthesizing microparticles, microfluidic techniques provide very powerful platforms for creating highly controllable emulsion droplets as templates for fabricating uniform microparticles with advanced structures and functions. Microfluidic techniques can generate emulsion droplets with precisely controlled size, shape, and composition. A more precise preparation process brings an effective tool to control the release profile of the drug and introduces an easily accessible reproducibility. The paper gives information about basic droplet-based set-ups and examples of attainable microparticle types preparable by this method.
- Keywords
- metoda odpaření rozpouštědla, mikrokanálky,
- MeSH
- Microfluidics methods MeSH
- Nanoparticles * MeSH
- Publication type
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Introduction of microfluidic mixing technique opens a new door for preparation of the liposomes and lipid-based nanoparticles by on-chip technologies that are applicable in a laboratory and industrial scale. This study demonstrates the role of phospholipid bilayer fragment as the key intermediate in the mechanism of liposome formation by microfluidic mixing in the channel with "herring-bone" geometry used with the instrument NanoAssemblr. The fluidity of the lipid bilayer expressed as fluorescence anisotropy of the probe N,N,N-Trimethyl-4-(6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatrien-1-yl) was found to be the basic parameter affecting the final size of formed liposomes prepared by microfluidic mixing of an ethanol solution of lipids and water phase. Both saturated and unsaturated lipids together with various content of cholesterol were used for liposome preparation and it was demonstrated, that an increase in fluidity results in a decrease of liposome size as analyzed by DLS. Gadolinium chelating lipids were used to visualize the fine structure of liposomes and bilayer fragments by CryoTEM. Experimental data and theoretical calculations are in good accordance with the theory of lipid disc micelle vesiculation.
- MeSH
- Biocompatible Materials metabolism MeSH
- Cholestyramine Resin metabolism MeSH
- Membrane Fluidity * MeSH
- Fluorescence Polarization MeSH
- Lab-On-A-Chip Devices MeSH
- Liposomes chemical synthesis MeSH
- Microfluidics instrumentation methods MeSH
- Nanostructures * MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
New synthetic aminooxy lipid was designed and synthesized as a building block for the formulation of functionalised nanoliposomes (presenting onto the outer surface of aminooxy groups) by microfluidic mixing. Orthogonal binding of cellular mannan (Candida glabrata (CCY 26-20-1) onto the outer surface of functionalised nanoliposomes was modified by orthogonal binding of reducing termini of mannans to oxime lipids via a click chemistry reaction based on aminooxy coupling (oxime ligation). The aminooxy lipid was proved as a suitable active component for preparation of functionalised nanoliposomes by the microfluidic mixing method performed with the instrument NanoAssemblrTM. This "on-chip technology" can be easily scaled-up. The structure of mannan-liposomes was visualized by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, including immunogold staining of recombinant mannan receptor bound onto mannosylated-liposomes. The observed structures are in a good correlation with data obtained by DLS, NTA, and TPRS methods. In vitro experiments on human and mouse dendritic cells demonstrate selective internalisation of fluorochrome-labelled mannan-liposomes and their ability to stimulate DC comparable to lipopolysaccharide. We describe a potentially new drug delivery platform for mannan receptor-targeted antimicrobial drugs as well as for immunotherapeutics. Furthermore, the platform based on mannans bound orthogonally onto the surface of nanoliposomes represents a self-adjuvanted carrier for construction of liposome-based recombinant vaccines for both systemic and mucosal routes of administration.
- MeSH
- Adjuvants, Immunologic pharmacology MeSH
- Antigens, Surface metabolism MeSH
- Candida glabrata chemistry MeSH
- Click Chemistry MeSH
- Dendritic Cells immunology MeSH
- Hydroxylamines chemical synthesis chemistry MeSH
- Lectins, C-Type immunology MeSH
- Mannose-Binding Lectins immunology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Lipids chemical synthesis chemistry MeSH
- Liposomes chemistry immunology pharmacology MeSH
- Mannans chemistry immunology pharmacology MeSH
- Microfluidics methods MeSH
- Mice, Inbred BALB C MeSH
- Nanoparticles chemistry MeSH
- Receptors, Cell Surface immunology MeSH
- Particle Size MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Bacterial contamination and subsequent infections are a major threat to human health. An early detection in the food chain, clinics or the environment, is key to limit this threat. We present a new concept to develop low-cost hand-held devices for the ultra-sensitive and specific detection of bacteria in a one-step process of 2-8h, directly from complex raw samples. This approach is based on a novel microfluidic magnetic fluidized bed. It reaches a 4CFU (colony forming unit) sensitivity with high quantification accuracy in a large dynamic range of 100-107CFU/mL. The versatility of the approach was demonstrated with the detection of different bacteria strains, among which Salmonella Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H15. Additionally, the method is sensitive to infectious bacteria only, a criterion requested by main applications and currently requiring additional culture steps of one to several days.
Single-cell analysis has become an established method to study cell heterogeneity and for rare cell characterization. Despite the high cost and technical constraints, applications are increasing every year in all fields of biology. Following the trend, there is a tremendous development of tools for single-cell analysis, especially in the RNA sequencing field. Every improvement increases sensitivity and throughput. Collecting a large amount of data also stimulates the development of new approaches for bioinformatic analysis and interpretation. However, the essential requirement for any analysis is the collection of single cells of high quality. The single-cell isolation must be fast, effective, and gentle to maintain the native expression profiles. Classical methods for single-cell isolation are micromanipulation, microdissection, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). In the last decade several new and highly efficient approaches have been developed, which not just supplement but may fully replace the traditional ones. These new techniques are based on microfluidic chips, droplets, micro-well plates, and automatic collection of cells using capillaries, magnets, an electric field, or a punching probe. In this review we summarize the current methods and developments in this field. We discuss the advantages of the different commercially available platforms and their applicability, and also provide remarks on future developments.
- MeSH
- Single-Cell Analysis instrumentation methods MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Microfluidics instrumentation methods MeSH
- Flow Cytometry instrumentation methods MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Review MeSH
Microfluidic devices are becoming mainstream tools to recapitulate in vitro the behavior of cells and tissues. In this study, we use microfluidic devices filled with hydrogels of mixed collagen-Matrigel composition to study the migration of lung cancer cells under different cancer invasion microenvironments. We present the design of the microfluidic device, characterize the hydrogels morphologically and mechanically and use quantitative image analysis to measure the migration of H1299 lung adenocarcinoma cancer cells in different experimental conditions. Our results show the plasticity of lung cancer cell migration, which turns from mesenchymal in collagen only matrices, to lobopodial in collagen-Matrigel matrices that approximate the interface between a disrupted basement membrane and the underlying connective tissue. Our quantification of migration speed confirms a biphasic role of Matrigel. At low concentration, Matrigel facilitates migration, most probably by providing a supportive and growth factor retaining environment. At high concentration, Matrigel slows down migration, possibly due excessive attachment. Finally, we show that antibody-based integrin blockade promotes a change in migration phenotype from mesenchymal or lobopodial to amoeboid and analyze the effect of this change in migration dynamics, in regards to the structure of the matrix. In summary, we describe and characterize a robust microfluidic platform and a set of software tools that can be used to study lung cancer cell migration under different microenvironments and experimental conditions. This platform could be used in future studies, thus benefitting from the advantages introduced by microfluidic devices: precise control of the environment, excellent optical properties, parallelization for high throughput studies and efficient use of therapeutic drugs.
- MeSH
- Spheroids, Cellular MeSH
- Diffusion MeSH
- Extracellular Matrix MeSH
- Phenotype MeSH
- Drug Combinations MeSH
- Hydrogels MeSH
- Collagen * chemistry ultrastructure MeSH
- Microscopy, Confocal MeSH
- Laminin * chemistry ultrastructure MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Mechanical Phenomena MeSH
- Neoplasm Metastasis MeSH
- Microfluidics * methods MeSH
- Cell Line, Tumor MeSH
- Tumor Cells, Cultured MeSH
- Tumor Microenvironment MeSH
- Cell Movement * MeSH
- Proteoglycans * chemistry ultrastructure MeSH
- Tissue Scaffolds * chemistry MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
