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Current Opinion in Biotechnology Oct 2023The combination of sensors and microfluidics has become a promising approach for detecting a wide variety of targets relevant in biotechnology. Thanks to recent advances... (Review)
Review
The combination of sensors and microfluidics has become a promising approach for detecting a wide variety of targets relevant in biotechnology. Thanks to recent advances in the manufacturing of microfluidic systems, microfluidics can be manufactured faster, cheaper, and more accurately than ever before. These advances make microfluidic systems very appealing as a basis for constructing sensor systems, and microfluidic devices have been adapted to house (bio)sensors for various applications (e.g. protein biomarker detection, cell culture oxygen control, and pathogen detection). This review article highlights several successfully integrated microfluidic sensor systems, with a focus on work that has been published within the last two years. Different sensor integration methods are discussed, and the latest trends in wearable- and smartphone-based sensors are described.
Topics: Microfluidics; Biosensing Techniques; Biotechnology; Lab-On-A-Chip Devices; Cell Culture Techniques
PubMed: 37531802
DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.102978 -
Mikrochimica Acta Apr 2024
Topics: Microfluidics
PubMed: 38635083
DOI: 10.1007/s00604-024-06354-9 -
Biosensors Apr 2024RNA is an important information and functional molecule. It can respond to the regulation of life processes and is also a key molecule in gene expression and regulation.... (Review)
Review
RNA is an important information and functional molecule. It can respond to the regulation of life processes and is also a key molecule in gene expression and regulation. Therefore, RNA detection technology has been widely used in many fields, especially in disease diagnosis, medical research, genetic engineering and other fields. However, the current RT-qPCR for RNA detection is complex, costly and requires the support of professional technicians, resulting in it not having great potential for rapid application in the field. PCR-free techniques are the most attractive alternative. They are a low-cost, simple operation method and do not require the support of large instruments, providing a new concept for the development of new RNA detection methods. This article reviews current PCR-free methods, overviews reported RNA biosensors based on electrochemistry, SPR, microfluidics, nanomaterials and CRISPR, and discusses their challenges and future research prospects in RNA detection.
Topics: Biosensing Techniques; RNA; Humans; Electrochemical Techniques; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Nanostructures; Surface Plasmon Resonance; Microfluidics
PubMed: 38667193
DOI: 10.3390/bios14040200 -
Advanced Science (Weinheim,... Nov 2023Metal-organic framework (MOF)-based drug delivery systems have demonstrated values in oncotherapy. Current research endeavors are centralized on the functionality...
Metal-organic framework (MOF)-based drug delivery systems have demonstrated values in oncotherapy. Current research endeavors are centralized on the functionality enrichment of featured MOF materials with designed versatility for synergistic multimodal treatments. Here, inspired by the multifarious biological functions including ferroptosis pattern, porphyrins, and cancer cell membrane (CCM) camouflage technique, novel multi-biomimetic MOF nanocarriers from microfluidics are prepared. The Fe , meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphine and oxaliplatin prodrug are incorporated into one MOF nano-system (named FeTPt), which is further cloaked by CCM to obtain a "Trojan Horse"-like vehicle (FeTPt@CCM). Owing to the functionalization with CCM, FeTPt@CCM can target and accumulate at the tumor site via homologous binding. After being internalized by cancer cells, FeTPt@CCM can be activated by a Fenton-like reaction as well as a redox reaction between Fe and glutathione and hydrogen peroxide to generate hydroxyl radical and oxygen. Thus, the nano-platform effectively initiates ferroptosis and improves photodynamic therapy performance. Along with the Pt-drug chemotherapy, the nano-platform exhibits synergistic multimodal actions for inhibiting cancer cell proliferation in vitro and suppressing tumor growth in vivo. These features indicate that such a versatile biomimetic MOF delivery system from microfluidics has great potential for synergistic cancer treatment.
Topics: Humans; Metal-Organic Frameworks; Microfluidics; Neoplasms; Drug Delivery Systems; Photochemotherapy
PubMed: 37852943
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202303818 -
Current Opinion in Biotechnology Oct 2023Single-cell analysis uncovers phenotypic differences between cells in a population and dissects their individual physiological states and differences on all omics levels... (Review)
Review
Single-cell analysis uncovers phenotypic differences between cells in a population and dissects their individual physiological states and differences on all omics levels from genome to phenome. Spectrometric observation allows label-free analysis of the metabolome and proteome of individual cells, but is still mainly limited to the analysis of mammalian single cells. Recent progress in mass spectrometry approaches now enables the analysis of microbial single cells - mainly by miniaturizing cell handling, incubation, and improving chip-coupling concepts for analyte ionization by interfacing microfluidic chips and mass spectrometers. This review aims at distilling the enabling principles behind microbial single-cell mass spectrometry and puts them into perspective for the future of the field.
Topics: Animals; Mass Spectrometry; Microfluidics; Metabolome; Single-Cell Analysis; Mammals
PubMed: 37515936
DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.102977 -
Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews.... 2023Fluidic microphysiological systems (MPS) are microfluidic cell culture devices that are designed to mimic the biochemical and biophysical in vivo microenvironments of... (Review)
Review
Fluidic microphysiological systems (MPS) are microfluidic cell culture devices that are designed to mimic the biochemical and biophysical in vivo microenvironments of human tissues better than conventional petri dishes or well-plates. MPS-grown tissue cultures can be used for probing new drugs for their potential primary and secondary toxicities as well as their efficacy. The systems can also be used for assessing the effects of environmental nanoparticles and nanotheranostics, including their rate of uptake, biodistribution, elimination, and toxicity. Pumpless MPS are a group of MPS that often utilize gravity to recirculate cell culture medium through their microfluidic networks, providing some advantages, but also presenting some challenges. They can be operated with near-physiological amounts of blood surrogate (i.e., cell culture medium) that can recirculate in bidirectional or unidirectional flow patterns depending on the device configuration. Here we discuss recent advances in the design and use of both pumped and pumpless MPS with a focus on where pumpless devices can contribute to realizing the potential future role of MPS in evaluating nanomaterials. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials.
Topics: Humans; Microphysiological Systems; Tissue Distribution; Lab-On-A-Chip Devices; Microfluidics; Drug Discovery
PubMed: 37464464
DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1911 -
Current Opinion in Biotechnology Aug 2023Microfluidic droplet screens serve as an innovative platform for high-throughput biotechnology, enabling significant advancements in discovery, product optimization, and... (Review)
Review
Microfluidic droplet screens serve as an innovative platform for high-throughput biotechnology, enabling significant advancements in discovery, product optimization, and analysis. This review sheds light on the emerging trends of interaction assays in microfluidic droplets, underscoring the unique suitability of droplets for these applications. Encompassing a diverse range of biological entities such as antibodies, enzymes, DNA, RNA, various microbial and mammalian cell types, drugs, and other molecules, these assays demonstrate their versatility and scope. Recent methodological breakthroughs have escalated these screens to novel scales of bioanalysis and biotechnological product design. Moreover, we highlight pioneering advancements that extend droplet-based screens into new domains: cargo delivery within human bodies, application of synthetic gene circuits in natural environments, 3D printing, and the development of droplet structures responsive to environmental signals. The potential of this field is profound and only set to increase.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Microfluidics; Biotechnology; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; Mammals
PubMed: 37390513
DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.102966 -
Journal of Strength and Conditioning... Dec 2023Oliva-Lozano, JM, Chmura, P, Granero-Gil, P, and Muyor, JM. Using microtechnology and the Fourier Transform for the analysis of effective activity time in professional...
Oliva-Lozano, JM, Chmura, P, Granero-Gil, P, and Muyor, JM. Using microtechnology and the Fourier Transform for the analysis of effective activity time in professional soccer. J Strength Cond Res 37(12): 2491-2495, 2023-This study aimed to investigate the use of the fast Fourier transform (FFT) for the analysis of effective activity time in professional soccer by (a) exploring the relationship between this variable and standard external load parameters and (b) analyzing the effective activity time during official professional soccer matches. Twenty-six male players participated in the study. Each player was categorized as midfielder, central defender, full-back, wide-midfielder, or forward. Tracking systems based on inertial sensors (4 3D accelerometers, 3 3D gyroscopes, and 1 magnetometer), and global positioning systems technology were used to collect external load measures for 35 matches. Each match was analyzed considering 15-minute periods to explore the evolution of effective activity time during the matches. The extra time from each match was also included. Fast Fourier transform duration may be a representative variable of effective activity time, given the strong positive correlation with the external load variables ( p < 0.001). The linear regression analysis showed that the variables that significantly contributed to the model ( R2 = 0.97) were the total of steps and the distance covered. The mean effective activity time in soccer match play was ∼48.69 minutes. This time significantly changed depending on factors such as the period of the match ( F = 239.05; p < 0.001; ηp 2 = 0.60) or playing position ( F = 16.99; p < 0.001; ηp 2 = 0.06). The greatest effective activity time was observed for all playing positions in the 0'-15' period. However, the 60'-75' period showed the lowest effective activity times compared with the rest of the 15-minute periods for all positions except for forwards (75'-90'). From a practical standpoint, sports performance practitioners may consider these results to improve the individualization of training and match demands. Also, a more accurate indicator of exercise intensity may be obtained (e.g., multiplying the rating of perceived exertion by the effective activity time).
Topics: Humans; Male; Soccer; Running; Microtechnology; Fourier Analysis; Geographic Information Systems; Athletic Performance
PubMed: 37815271
DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004615 -
Electrophoresis Sep 2023The problem of pesticide residue contamination has attracted widespread attention and poses a risk to human health. The current traditional pesticide residue detection... (Review)
Review
The problem of pesticide residue contamination has attracted widespread attention and poses a risk to human health. The current traditional pesticide residue detection methods have difficulty meeting rapid and diverse field screening requirements. Microfluidic technology integrates functions from sample preparation to detection, showing great potential for quick and accurate high-throughput detection of pesticide residues. This paper reviews the latest research progress on microfluidic technology for pesticide residue detection. First, the commonly used microfluidic materials are summarized, including silicon, glass, paper, polydimethylsiloxane, and polymethyl methacrylate. We evaluated their advantages and disadvantages in pesticide residue detection applications. Second, the current pesticide residue detection technology based on microfluidics and its application to real samples are summarized. Finally, we discuss this technology's present challenges and future research directions. This study is expected to provide a reference for the future development of microfluidic technology for pesticide residue detection.
Topics: Humans; Pesticide Residues; Microfluidics; Drug Contamination
PubMed: 37496295
DOI: 10.1002/elps.202300048 -
ACS Sensors Nov 2023Point-of-care (POC) detection is getting more and more attention in many fields due to its accuracy and on-site test property. The CRISPR/Cas12a system is endowed with... (Review)
Review
Point-of-care (POC) detection is getting more and more attention in many fields due to its accuracy and on-site test property. The CRISPR/Cas12a system is endowed with excellent sensitivity, target identification specificity, and signal amplification ability in biosensing because of its unique trans-cleavage ability. As a result, a lot of research has been made to develop CRISPR/Cas12a-based biosensors. In this review, we focused on signal readout strategies and summarized recent sensitivity-improving strategies in fluorescence, colorimetric, and electrochemical signaling. Then we introduced novel portability-improving strategies based on lateral flow assays (LFAs), microfluidic chips, simplified instruments, and one-pot design. In the end, we also provide our outlook for the future development of CRISPR/Cas12a biosensors.
Topics: CRISPR-Cas Systems; Point-of-Care Systems; Biological Assay; Colorimetry; Microfluidics
PubMed: 37870387
DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.3c01338