-
Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology Jul 2023Microfluidics opened the possibility to model the physiological environment by controlling fluids flows, and therefore nutrients supply. It allows to integrate external... (Review)
Review
Microfluidics opened the possibility to model the physiological environment by controlling fluids flows, and therefore nutrients supply. It allows to integrate external stimuli such as electricals or mechanicals and in situ monitoring important parameters such as pH, oxygen and metabolite concentrations. Organoids are self-organized 3D organ-like clusters, which allow to closely model original organ functionalities. Applying microfluidics to organoids allows to generate powerful human models for studying organ development, diseases, and drug testing. In this review, after a brief introduction on microfluidics, organoids and organoids-on-a-chip are described by organs (brain, heart, gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas) highlighting the microfluidic approaches since this point of view was overlooked in previously published reviews. Indeed, the review aims to discuss from a different point of view, primary microfluidics, the available literature on organoids-on-a-chip, standing out from the published literature by focusing on each specific organ.
Topics: Humans; Microfluidics; Microphysiological Systems; Organoids; Heart
PubMed: 36241560
DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.10.001 -
Cells Jul 2023Unmasking the subtleties of the immune system requires both a comprehensive knowledge base and the ability to interrogate that system with intimate sensitivity. That... (Review)
Review
Unmasking the subtleties of the immune system requires both a comprehensive knowledge base and the ability to interrogate that system with intimate sensitivity. That task, to a considerable extent, has been handled by an iterative expansion in flow cytometry methods, both in technological capability and also in accompanying advances in informatics. As the field of fluorescence-based cytomics matured, it reached a technological barrier at around 30 parameter analyses, which stalled the field until spectral flow cytometry created a fundamental transformation that will likely lead to the potential of 100 simultaneous parameter analyses within a few years. The simultaneous advance in informatics has now become a watershed moment for the field as it competes with mature systematic approaches such as genomics and proteomics, allowing cytomics to take a seat at the multi-omics table. In addition, recent technological advances try to combine the speed of flow systems with other detection methods, in addition to fluorescence alone, which will make flow-based instruments even more indispensable in any biological laboratory. This paper outlines current approaches in cell analysis and detection methods, discusses traditional and microfluidic sorting approaches as well as next-generation instruments, and provides an early look at future opportunities that are likely to arise.
Topics: Flow Cytometry; Proteomics; Genomics; Technology; Microfluidics
PubMed: 37508539
DOI: 10.3390/cells12141875 -
Nature Communications Feb 2024The development of vascular networks in microfluidic chips is crucial for the long-term culture of three-dimensional cell aggregates such as spheroids, organoids,...
The development of vascular networks in microfluidic chips is crucial for the long-term culture of three-dimensional cell aggregates such as spheroids, organoids, tumoroids, or tissue explants. Despite rapid advancement in microvascular network systems and organoid technologies, vascularizing organoids-on-chips remains a challenge in tissue engineering. Most existing microfluidic devices poorly reflect the complexity of in vivo flows and require complex technical set-ups. Considering these constraints, we develop a platform to establish and monitor the formation of endothelial networks around mesenchymal and pancreatic islet spheroids, as well as blood vessel organoids generated from pluripotent stem cells, cultured for up to 30 days on-chip. We show that these networks establish functional connections with the endothelium-rich spheroids and vascular organoids, as they successfully provide intravascular perfusion to these structures. We find that organoid growth, maturation, and function are enhanced when cultured on-chip using our vascularization method. This microphysiological system represents a viable organ-on-chip model to vascularize diverse biological 3D tissues and sets the stage to establish organoid perfusions using advanced microfluidics.
Topics: Microfluidics; Organoids; Tissue Engineering; Endothelium; Islets of Langerhans
PubMed: 38365780
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45710-4 -
Biosensors Aug 2023Biosensors are a promising tool for a wide variety of target analyte detection and enable point-of-care diagnostics with reduced volume and space [...].
Biosensors are a promising tool for a wide variety of target analyte detection and enable point-of-care diagnostics with reduced volume and space [...].
Topics: Microfluidics; Point-of-Care Testing
PubMed: 37754077
DOI: 10.3390/bios13090843 -
The Analyst Sep 2023Implantable microfluidics involves integrating microfluidic functionalities into implantable devices, such as medical implants or bioelectronic devices, revolutionizing... (Review)
Review
Implantable microfluidics involves integrating microfluidic functionalities into implantable devices, such as medical implants or bioelectronic devices, revolutionizing healthcare by enabling personalized and precise diagnostics, targeted drug delivery, and regeneration of targeted tissues or organs. The impact of implantable microfluidics depends heavily on advancements in both methods and applications. Despite significant progress in the past two decades, continuous advancements are still required in fluidic control and manipulation, device miniaturization and integration, biosafety considerations, as well as the development of various application scenarios to address a wide range of healthcare issues. In this review, we discuss advancements in implantable microfluidics, focusing on methods and applications. Regarding methods, we discuss progress made in fluid manipulation, device fabrication, and biosafety considerations in implantable microfluidics. In terms of applications, we review advancements in using implantable microfluidics for drug delivery, diagnostics, tissue engineering, and energy harvesting. The purpose of this review is to expand research ideas for the development of novel implantable microfluidic devices for various healthcare applications.
Topics: Microfluidics; Drug Delivery Systems; Lab-On-A-Chip Devices; Miniaturization; Prostheses and Implants
PubMed: 37698090
DOI: 10.1039/d3an00981e -
Biofabrication Dec 2023Intercellular communication is critical to the understanding of human health and disease progression. However, compared to traditional methods with inefficient analysis,... (Review)
Review
Intercellular communication is critical to the understanding of human health and disease progression. However, compared to traditional methods with inefficient analysis, microfluidic co-culture technologies developed for cell-cell communication research can reliably analyze crucial biological processes, such as cell signaling, and monitor dynamic intercellular interactions under reproducible physiological cell co-culture conditions. Moreover, microfluidic-based technologies can achieve precise spatial control of two cell types at the single-cell level with high throughput. Herein, this review focuses on recent advances in microfluidic-based 2D and 3D devices developed to confine two or more heterogeneous cells in the study of intercellular communication and decipher the advantages and limitations of these models in specific cellular research scenarios. This review will stimulate the development of more functionalized microfluidic platforms for biomedical research, inspiring broader interests across various disciplines to better comprehend cell-cell communication and other fields, such as tumor heterogeneity and drug screening.
Topics: Humans; Microfluidics; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; Cell Communication; Neoplasms; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 38035370
DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ad1116 -
Current Opinion in Biotechnology Aug 2023Relying on the biological responses and activity of living cells, bioluminescent whole-cell biosensors generate an optical signal in response to the presence of target... (Review)
Review
Relying on the biological responses and activity of living cells, bioluminescent whole-cell biosensors generate an optical signal in response to the presence of target compounds. The miniaturization of low-light detectors and their integration with microfluidics have allowed the realization of portable devices for sensitive imaging and quantification of these signals. This review thus focuses on bioluminescence-based whole-cell biosensors, integrated with handheld optical detectors, with an emphasis on the use of the low-light imaging capability of modern smartphones. We highlight state-of-the-art miniaturization techniques applied to the incorporation of living cells into diverse hardware platforms, and to the sensitive recording of the biologically generated photons. The integration of sample introduction, host-cell activity maintenance, luminescence acquisition, data processing/presentation, and portability are also discussed.
Topics: Microfluidics; Biosensing Techniques; Luminescence
PubMed: 37263105
DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.102952 -
Nature Microbiology Apr 2024Research on microbial pathogens has traditionally relied on animal and cell culture models to mimic infection processes in the host. Over recent years, developments in... (Review)
Review
Research on microbial pathogens has traditionally relied on animal and cell culture models to mimic infection processes in the host. Over recent years, developments in microfluidics and bioengineering have led to organ-on-chip (OoC) technologies. These microfluidic systems create conditions that are more physiologically relevant and can be considered humanized in vitro models. Here we review various OoC models and how they have been applied for infectious disease research. We outline the properties that make them valuable tools in microbiology, such as dynamic microenvironments, vascularization, near-physiological tissue constitutions and partial integration of functional immune cells, as well as their limitations. Finally, we discuss the prospects for OoCs and their potential role in future infectious disease research.
Topics: Animals; Microfluidics; Communicable Diseases
PubMed: 38528150
DOI: 10.1038/s41564-024-01645-6 -
The Analyst Sep 2023Possessing the attractive advantages of moderate invasiveness and high compliance, there is no doubt that microneedles (MNs) have been a gradually rising star in the... (Review)
Review
Possessing the attractive advantages of moderate invasiveness and high compliance, there is no doubt that microneedles (MNs) have been a gradually rising star in the field of medicine. Recent evidence implies that microelectronics technology based on microcircuits, microelectrodes and other microelectronic elements combined with MNs can realize mild electrical stimulation, drug release and various types of electrical sensing detection. In addition, the combination of microfluidics technology and MNs makes it possible to transport fluid drugs and access a small quantity of body fluids which have shown significant untapped potential for a wide range of diagnostics. Of particular note is that combining both technologies and MNs is more difficult, but is promising to build a modern healthcare platform with more comprehensive functions. This review introduces the properties of MNs that can form integrated systems with microelectronics and microfluidics, and summarizes these systems and their applications. Furthermore, the future challenges and perspectives of the integrated systems are conclusively proposed.
Topics: Microfluidics; Body Fluids; Drug Liberation; Electric Stimulation; Electricity
PubMed: 37664954
DOI: 10.1039/d3an01045g -
Biosensors Aug 2023The increasing research and rapid developments in the field of exosomes provide insights into their role and significance in human health. Exosomes derived from various... (Review)
Review
The increasing research and rapid developments in the field of exosomes provide insights into their role and significance in human health. Exosomes derived from various sources, such as mesenchymal stem cells, cardiac cells, and tumor cells, to name a few, can be potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of diseases and could also serve as biomarkers for the early detection of diseases. Cellular components of exosomes, several proteins, lipids, and miRNAs hold promise as novel biomarkers for the detection of various diseases. The structure of exosomes enables them as drug delivery vehicles. Since exosomes exhibit potential therapeutic applications, their efficient isolation from complex biological/clinical samples and precise real-time analysis becomes significant. With the advent of microfluidics, nano-biosensors are being designed to capture exosomes efficiently and rapidly. Herein, we have summarized the history, biogenesis, characteristics, functions, and applications of exosomes, along with the isolation, detection, and quantification techniques. The implications of surface modifications to enhance specificity have been outlined. The review also sheds light on the engineered nanoplatforms being developed for exosome detection and capture.
Topics: Humans; Exosomes; Drug Delivery Systems; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; MicroRNAs; Microfluidics
PubMed: 37622888
DOI: 10.3390/bios13080802