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Current Opinion in Insect Science Dec 2018Micro-Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) microphones inspired by the remarkable phonotactic capability of Ormia ochracea offer the promise of microscale directional... (Review)
Review
Micro-Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) microphones inspired by the remarkable phonotactic capability of Ormia ochracea offer the promise of microscale directional microphones with a greatly reduced need for post-processing of signals. Gravid O. ochracea females can locate their host cricket's 5 kHz mating calls to an accuracy of less than 2° despite having a distance of approximately 500 μm between the ears. MEMS devices base on the principles of operation of O. ochracea's hearing system have been well studied, however commercial implementation has proven challenging due to the system's reliance on carefully tailored ratios of stiffness and damping, which are difficult to realize in standard MEMS fabrication processes, necessitating a trade-off between wide-band operation and sensitivity. A survey of the variety of strategies that have been followed to address these inherent challenges is presented.
Topics: Acoustics; Animals; Auditory Perception; Diptera; Host-Parasite Interactions; Microtechnology; Orthoptera
PubMed: 30553482
DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2018.09.002 -
IET Nanobiotechnology May 2023
Topics: Biology; Microtechnology; Medicine
PubMed: 37073803
DOI: 10.1049/nbt2.12130 -
Nature Communications Oct 2022Microrobots have attracted the attention of scientists owing to their unique features to accomplish tasks in hard-to-reach sites in the human body. Microrobots can be... (Review)
Review
Microrobots have attracted the attention of scientists owing to their unique features to accomplish tasks in hard-to-reach sites in the human body. Microrobots can be precisely actuated and maneuvered individually or in a swarm for cargo delivery, sampling, surgery, and imaging applications. In addition, microrobots have found applications in the environmental sector (e.g., water treatment). Besides, recent advancements of three-dimensional (3D) printers have enabled the high-resolution fabrication of microrobots with a faster design-production turnaround time for users with limited micromanufacturing skills. Here, the latest end applications of 3D printed microrobots are reviewed (ranging from environmental to biomedical applications) along with a brief discussion over the feasible actuation methods (e.g., on- and off-board), and practical 3D printing technologies for microrobot fabrication. In addition, as a future perspective, we discussed the potential advantages of integration of microrobots with smart materials, and conceivable benefits of implementation of artificial intelligence (AI), as well as physical intelligence (PI). Moreover, in order to facilitate bench-to-bedside translation of microrobots, current challenges impeding clinical translation of microrobots are elaborated, including entry obstacles (e.g., immune system attacks) and cumbersome standard test procedures to ensure biocompatibility.
Topics: Artificial Intelligence; Humans; Microtechnology; Printing, Three-Dimensional; Robotics; Smart Materials
PubMed: 36198675
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33409-3 -
Lab on a Chip Aug 2018Oral administration of drugs is most convenient for patients and therefore the ultimate goal when developing new medication. The physical barriers in the body, low pH of... (Review)
Review
Oral administration of drugs is most convenient for patients and therefore the ultimate goal when developing new medication. The physical barriers in the body, low pH of the stomach and degradation by enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract are a few of the obstacles to succeeding with oral drug delivery. Microfabricated devices show promise to overcome some of these hindrances and thereby improve the bioavailability of drugs after oral administration. There is an increasing focus on microfabricated oral drug delivery systems, and so far there have been three main groups of designs: patch-like structures, microcontainers and microwells. Here, we review the newest development in top-down microfabricated devices for oral drug delivery with coverage of the aspects of design, choice of material and fabrication techniques. Furthermore, the drug loading techniques and methods for testing are discussed. In addition, we discuss the future perspectives for microfabricated devices.
Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Drug Delivery Systems; Humans; Microtechnology
PubMed: 29975383
DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00408k -
BioMed Research International 2014
Topics: Biocompatible Materials; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; Cell Line, Tumor; Humans; Microtechnology; Nanotechnology; Quantum Dots; Tissue Scaffolds
PubMed: 24971364
DOI: 10.1155/2014/963972 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Elite Edition) Jan 2013This article highlights the current state of three-dimensional spheroid/tissue formation technologies offering a new experimental platform that is both as reproducible... (Review)
Review
This article highlights the current state of three-dimensional spheroid/tissue formation technologies offering a new experimental platform that is both as reproducible as conventional in vitroexperiments and highly correlated to in vivo conditions. Three-dimensional tissue exhibit higher biological functions and reflect the in vivo context more precisely than classical two-dimensional cultures or monolayers. The applications cover highly efficient drug screening, regenerative medicine and fundamental biological research. Numerous three-dimensional spheroid and tissue formation devices have been developed over the past six decades. In early studies, mass production of spheroids using shaking, and non-adhesive surfaces and scaffolds in flasks was conducted. With the emergence of micro/nano fabrication technology and fundamental understanding of micro/nano fluidics, micro/nano devices capable of forming three-dimensional spheroids in a well-controlled manner have been extensively studied. The cell species composing spheroids include hepatic cells, cancer cells, primary cells and, more recently, stem cells. Formation of hetero-spheroids composed of different cells has also been attempted to further resemble the in vivo conditions. These new trends in spheroid research are particularly highlighted in this review.
Topics: Humans; Microtechnology; Spheroids, Cellular; Tissue Engineering
PubMed: 23276968
DOI: 10.2741/e594 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2019Research on nano- and micromotors has evolved into a frequently cited research area with innovative technology envisioned for one of current humanities' most deadly... (Review)
Review
Research on nano- and micromotors has evolved into a frequently cited research area with innovative technology envisioned for one of current humanities' most deadly problems: cancer. The development of cancer targeting drug delivery strategies involving nano-and micromotors has been a vibrant field of study over the past few years. This review aims at categorizing recent significant results, classifying them according to the employed propulsion mechanisms starting from chemically driven micromotors, to field driven and biohybrid approaches. In concluding remarks of section 2, we give an insight into shape changing micromotors that are envisioned to have a significant contribution. Finally, we critically discuss which important aspects still have to be addressed and which challenges still lie ahead of us.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Microtechnology; Nanotechnology; Neoplasms
PubMed: 31546857
DOI: 10.3390/molecules24183410 -
Biofabrication Jun 2019Biofabrication techniques have enabled the formation of complex models of many biological tissues. We present a framework to contextualize biofabrication techniques... (Review)
Review
Biofabrication techniques have enabled the formation of complex models of many biological tissues. We present a framework to contextualize biofabrication techniques within a disease modeling application. Fibrosis is a progressive disease interfering with tissue structure and function, which stems from an aberrant wound healing response. Epithelial injury and clot formation lead to fibroblast invasion and activation, followed by contraction and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. These stages have healthy wound healing variants in addition to the pathogenic analogs that are seen in fibrosis. This review evaluates biofabrication of a variety of phenotypic cell-based fibrosis assays. By recapitulating different contributors to fibrosis, these assays are able to evaluate biochemical pathways and therapeutic candidates for specific stages of fibrosis pathogenesis. Biofabrication of these culture models may enable phenotypic screening for improved understanding of fibrosis biology as well as improved screening of anti-fibrotic therapeutics.
Topics: Animals; Biological Assay; Fibroblasts; Humans; Microtechnology; Models, Biological; Phenotype; Pulmonary Fibrosis
PubMed: 31215521
DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ab2286 -
Ophthalmic Surgery, Lasers & Imaging :... 2009Recent developments in imaging technologies offer great potential for the assessment of retinal ganglion cell disorders, with particular relevance to glaucoma. In... (Review)
Review
Recent developments in imaging technologies offer great potential for the assessment of retinal ganglion cell disorders, with particular relevance to glaucoma. In particular, advances in this field have allowed unprecedented in vivo access to the retinal layers, using many different properties of light to differentiate cellular structures. This article is a summary of currently available and investigational advanced, high-resolution imaging technologies and their potential applications to glaucoma. It represents the topics of discussion at the annual Optic Nerve Rescue and Restoration Think Tank, sponsored by The Glaucoma Foundation, entitled "High Resolution Imaging of the Eye: Advanced Optics, Microtechnology and Nanotechnology" and held in New York, New York, September 28-29, 2007.
Topics: Glaucoma; Humans; Image Enhancement; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Microtechnology; Optics and Photonics; Retina; Tomography, Optical Coherence
PubMed: 19772272
DOI: 10.3928/15428877-20090901-07 -
Molecular Microbiology Mar 2022Advances in microfabrication technology, and its increasing accessibility, allow us to explore fungal biology as never before. By coupling molecular genetics with... (Review)
Review
Advances in microfabrication technology, and its increasing accessibility, allow us to explore fungal biology as never before. By coupling molecular genetics with fluorescence live-cell imaging in custom-designed chambers, we can now probe single yeast cell responses to changing conditions over a lifetime, characterise population heterogeneity and investigate its underlying causes. By growing filamentous fungi in complex physical environments, we can identify cross-species commonalities, reveal species-specific growth responses and examine physiological differences relevant to diverse fungal lifestyles. As affordability and expertise broadens, microfluidic platforms will become a standard technique for examining the role of fungi in cross-kingdom interactions, ranging from rhizosphere to microbiome to interconnected human organ systems. This review brings together the perspectives already gained from studying fungal biology in microfabricated systems and outlines their potential in understanding the role of fungi in the environment, health and disease.
Topics: Biology; Fungi; Humans; Microtechnology; Rhizosphere; Saccharomyces cerevisiae
PubMed: 34592794
DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14816