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Nature Communications May 2021Manipulating and separating single label-free cells without biomarker conjugation have attracted significant interest in the field of single-cell research, but digital...
Manipulating and separating single label-free cells without biomarker conjugation have attracted significant interest in the field of single-cell research, but digital circuitry control and multiplexed individual storage of single label-free cells remain a challenge. Herein, by analogy with the electrical circuitry elements and electronical holes, we develop a pseudo-diamagnetophoresis (PsD) mattertronic approach in the presence of biocompatible ferrofluids for programmable manipulation and local storage of single PsD holes and label-free cells. The PsD holes conduct along linear negative micro-magnetic patterns. Further, eclipse diode patterns similar to the electrical diode can implement directional and selective switching of different PsD holes and label-free cells based on the diode geometry. Different eclipse heights and junction gaps influence the switching efficiency of PsD holes for mattertronic circuitry manipulation and separation. Moreover, single PsD holes are stored at each potential well as in an electrical storage capacitor, preventing multiple occupancies of PsD holes in the array of individual compartments due to magnetic Coulomb-like interaction. This approach may enable the development of large programmable arrays of label-free matters with high throughput, efficiency, and reliability as multiplex cell research platforms.
Topics: Biomedical Engineering; Cell Survival; Electrons; Humans; Lab-On-A-Chip Devices; Magnetics; Nanoparticles; THP-1 Cells
PubMed: 34021137
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23251-4 -
Integrative Biology : Quantitative... Jul 2017Measuring and modeling the integrated behavior of biomolecular-cellular networks is central to systems biology. Over several decades, systems biology has been shaped by... (Review)
Review
Measuring and modeling the integrated behavior of biomolecular-cellular networks is central to systems biology. Over several decades, systems biology has been shaped by quantitative biologists, physicists, mathematicians, and engineers in different ways. However, the basic and applied versions of systems biology are not typically distinguished, which blurs the separate aspirations of the field and its potential for real-world impact. Here, we articulate an engineering approach to systems biology, which applies educational philosophy, engineering design, and predictive models to solve contemporary problems in an age of biomedical Big Data. A concerted effort to train systems bioengineers will provide a versatile workforce capable of tackling the diverse challenges faced by the biotechnological and pharmaceutical sectors in a modern, information-dense economy.
Topics: Bioengineering; Biotechnology; Curriculum; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Drug Industry; Humans; Models, Biological; Systems Biology
PubMed: 28590470
DOI: 10.1039/c7ib00014f -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2022Shape-Memory Polymers (SMPs) are considered a kind of smart material able to modify size, shape, stiffness and strain in response to different external (heat, electric... (Review)
Review
Shape-Memory Polymers (SMPs) are considered a kind of smart material able to modify size, shape, stiffness and strain in response to different external (heat, electric and magnetic field, water or light) stimuli including the physiologic ones such as pH, body temperature and ions concentration. The ability of SMPs is to memorize their original shape before triggered exposure and after deformation, in the absence of the stimulus, and to recover their original shape without any help. SMPs nanofibers (SMPNs) have been increasingly investigated for biomedical applications due to nanofiber's favorable properties such as high surface area per volume unit, high porosity, small diameter, low density, desirable fiber orientation and nanoarchitecture mimicking native Extra Cellular Matrix (ECM). This review focuses on the main properties of SMPs, their classification and shape-memory effects. Moreover, advantages in the use of SMPNs and different biomedical application fields are reported and discussed.
Topics: Animals; Biocompatible Materials; Biomedical Engineering; Humans; Nanofibers; Polymers; Smart Materials; Tissue Scaffolds
PubMed: 35163218
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031290 -
Advanced Healthcare Materials Mar 2022Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are carriers of biological signals through export and delivery of RNAs and proteins. Of increasing interest is the use of EVs as a platform... (Review)
Review
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are carriers of biological signals through export and delivery of RNAs and proteins. Of increasing interest is the use of EVs as a platform for delivery of biomolecules. Preclinical studies have effectively used EVs to treat a number of diseases. Uniquely, endogenous machinery within cells can be manipulated in order to produce desirable loading of cargo within secreted EVs. In order to inform the development of such approaches, an understanding of the cellular mechanisms by which cargo is sorted to EVs is required. Here, the current knowledge of cargo sorting within EVs is reviewed. Here is given an overview of recent bioengineering approaches that leverage these advances. Methods of externally manipulating EV cargo are also discussed. Finally, a perspective on the current challenges of EVs as a drug delivery platform is offered. It is proposed that standardized bioengineering methods for therapeutic EV preparation will be required to create a well-defined clinical product.
Topics: Bioengineering; Biological Transport; Drug Delivery Systems; Extracellular Vesicles; RNA
PubMed: 34706168
DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202101557 -
Advanced Science (Weinheim,... Dec 2023Breakthroughs in precision cell surface engineering tools are supporting the rapid development of programmable living assemblies with valuable features for tackling... (Review)
Review
Breakthroughs in precision cell surface engineering tools are supporting the rapid development of programmable living assemblies with valuable features for tackling complex biological problems. Herein, the authors overview the most recent technological advances in chemically- and biologically-driven toolboxes for engineering mammalian cell surfaces and triggering their assembly into living architectures. A particular focus is given to surface engineering technologies for enabling biomimetic cell-cell social interactions and multicellular cell-sorting events. Further advancements in cell surface modification technologies may expand the currently available bioengineering toolset and unlock a new generation of personalized cell therapeutics with clinically relevant biofunctionalities. The combination of state-of-the-art cell surface modifications with advanced biofabrication technologies is envisioned to contribute toward generating living materials with increasing tissue/organ-mimetic bioactivities and therapeutic potential.
Topics: Animals; Tissue Engineering; Biomedical Engineering; Cell Engineering; Bioengineering; Biomimetics; Mammals
PubMed: 37823678
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304040 -
Journal of Visualized Experiments : JoVE Sep 2021Many developments in biomedical research have been inspired by discovering anatomical and cellular mechanisms that support specific functions in different species. The...
Many developments in biomedical research have been inspired by discovering anatomical and cellular mechanisms that support specific functions in different species. The octopus is one of these exceptional animals that has given scientists new insights into the fields of neuroscience, robotics, regenerative medicine, and prosthetics. Research with this species of cephalopods requires the set-up of complex facilities and intensive care for both the octopus and its ecosystem that is critical for the project's success. This system requires multiple mechanical and biological filtering systems to provide a safe and clean environment for the animal. Along with the control system, specialized routine maintenance and cleaning are required to effectively keep the facility operating long term. It is advised to provide an enriched environment to these intelligent animals by changing the tank's landscape, incorporating a variety of prey, and introducing challenging tasks for them to work through. Our results include MRI and a whole-body autofluorescence imaging as well as behavioral studies to better understand their nervous system. Octopuses possess unique physiology that can impact many areas of biomedical research. Providing them with a sustainable ecosystem is the first crucial step in uncovering their distinct capabilities.
Topics: Animals; Bioengineering; Biomedical Engineering; Ecosystem; Octopodiformes; Robotics
PubMed: 34633382
DOI: 10.3791/62705 -
Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering Jun 2023The central dogma of gene expression involves DNA transcription to RNA and RNA translation into protein. As key intermediaries and modifiers, RNAs undergo various forms... (Review)
Review
The central dogma of gene expression involves DNA transcription to RNA and RNA translation into protein. As key intermediaries and modifiers, RNAs undergo various forms of modifications such as methylation, pseudouridylation, deamination, and hydroxylation. These modifications, termed epitranscriptional regulations, lead to functional changes in RNAs. Recent studies have demonstrated crucial roles for RNA modifications in gene translation, DNA damage response, and cell fate regulation. Epitranscriptional modifications play an essential role in development, mechanosensing, atherogenesis, and regeneration in the cardiovascular (CV) system, and their elucidation is critically important to understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying CV physiology and pathophysiology. This review aims at providing biomedical engineers with an overview of the epitranscriptome landscape, related key concepts, recent findings in epitranscriptional regulations, and tools for epitranscriptome analysis. The potential applications of this important field in biomedical engineering research are discussed.
Topics: Humans; Biomedical Engineering; RNA; Gene Expression Regulation; Cardiovascular System; Bioengineering
PubMed: 36913673
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-bioeng-081922-021233 -
International Journal of Medical... Apr 2023Given the impact of bioengineering and medical informatics technologies in health care, the design and implementation of education programs able to combine medical...
BACKGROUND
Given the impact of bioengineering and medical informatics technologies in health care, the design and implementation of education programs able to combine medical curricula with a proper teaching on engineering and informatics is now of paramount importance. In Italy, this goal has to fit in with the existing higher education system, which is structured into Bachelor programs and Master programs. Medicine and Surgery programs, instead, are designed as a six-year single-cycle Degree Program in Medicine and Surgery which comprises both class attendance and hospital internship and training. This program allows students to become Medical Doctors (MD). The different organization of this University program makes it not easy to introduce further contents, namely hard science courses, in the educational program. Notwithstanding this, we present here some recent innovative programs aimed at widening MD curriculum by including biomedical engineering and informatics subjects. In particular, we will introduce three of them. Two are joint-degree programs, the first between Humanitas University and Politecnico di Milano (MEDTEC School), and the second between University of Calabria and University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro (Medicina e Chirurgia TD). The Third one is a Professional Master coupled with an MD degree, based on a joint program among Pavia University, Pisa University, the Institute of Advanced studies in Pavia and the Scuola Superiore S. Anna in Pisa (MEET).
CONTRIBUTION
The paper provides a description of the fundamental design principles of the three above mentioned programs, and explores some aspects of the teaching modules, highlighting their positive aspects. In particular, we show how the three different programs allow students to enrich their knowledge by studying engineering subjects and innovative methods and technologies, as well as their applications to patient care.
CONCLUSIONS
The MEDTEC program is the first degree program at Italian and international scale which integrates medical and engineering subjects. In the following years, other programs were issued in Italy, defining similar education programs to couple a degree in medicine education with bioengineering and medical informatics, among which Medicina e Chirurgia TD and MEET. We believe the experiences described here in this paper represent the possibility of bridging the gap between medical and technological competencies.
Topics: Humans; Biomedical Engineering; Curriculum; Medical Informatics; Bioengineering; Italy
PubMed: 36739758
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2023.105002 -
European Review For Medical and... 2015Biomedical engineering is a new area of research in medicine and biology, providing new concepts and designs for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of various... (Review)
Review
Biomedical engineering is a new area of research in medicine and biology, providing new concepts and designs for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of various diseases. There are several types of biomedical engineering, such as tissue, genetic, neural and stem cells, as well as chemical and clinical engineering for health care. Many electronic and magnetic methods and equipments are used for the biomedical engineering such as Computed Tomography (CT) scans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans, Electroencephalography (EEG), Ultrasound and regenerative medicine and stem cell cultures, preparations of artificial cells and organs, such as pancreas, urinary bladders, liver cells, and fibroblasts cells of foreskin and others. The principle of tissue engineering is described with various types of cells used for tissue engineering purposes. The use of several medical devices and bionics are mentioned with scaffold, cells and tissue cultures and various materials are used for biomedical engineering. The use of biomedical engineering methods is very important for the human health, and research and development of diseases. The bioreactors and preparations of artificial cells or tissues and organs are described here.
Topics: Animals; Biomedical Engineering; Equipment and Supplies; Genetic Therapy; Humans; Regenerative Medicine; Stem Cells; Tissue Engineering
PubMed: 25683934
DOI: No ID Found -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2024Non-healing wounds and skin losses constitute significant challenges for modern medicine and pharmacology. Conventional methods of wound treatment are effective in basic... (Review)
Review
Non-healing wounds and skin losses constitute significant challenges for modern medicine and pharmacology. Conventional methods of wound treatment are effective in basic healthcare; however, they are insufficient in managing chronic wound and large skin defects, so novel, alternative methods of therapy are sought. Among the potentially innovative procedures, the use of skin substitutes may be a promising therapeutic method. Skin substitutes are a heterogeneous group of materials that are used to heal and close wounds and temporarily or permanently fulfill the functions of the skin. Classification can be based on the structure or type (biological and synthetic). Simple constructs (class I) have been widely researched over the years, and can be used in burns and ulcers. More complex substitutes (class II and III) are still studied, but these may be utilized in patients with deep skin defects. In addition, 3D bioprinting is a rapidly developing method used to create advanced skin constructs and their appendages. The aforementioned therapies represent an opportunity for treating patients with diabetic foot ulcers or deep skin burns. Despite these significant developments, further clinical trials are needed to allow the use skin substitutes in the personalized treatment of chronic wounds.
Topics: Humans; Skin, Artificial; Bioengineering; Biomedical Engineering; Diabetic Foot; Burns
PubMed: 38612513
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073702