Microfluidics-News.com

Abstract: We demonstrate an in vitro microfluidic cell culture platform that consists of periodic 3D hydrogel compartments with controllable shapes. The microchip is composed of approximately 500 discontinuous collagen gel compartments locally patterned in between PDMS pillars, separated by microfluidic channels. The typical volume of each compartment is 7.5 nanoliters. The compartmentalized design of the microchip and continuous fluid delivery enable long-term culturing of C

Abstract: Biodegradable microcapsules with a large aqueous lumen and ultrathin membrane are microfluidically designed for sustained release of hydrophilic bioactives using water-in-oil-in-water double-emulsion drops as a template. As a shell phase, an organic solution of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) is used, which is consolidated to form a biodegradable membrane. The encapsulants stored in the lumen are released over a long period of time as the membranes degrade. The period

Abstract: Type I diabetes mellitus is characterized by the destruction of the insulin producing beta cells within the pancreas by the immune system. After the success of Edmonton protocol, islet transplantation has shown to be a promising therapy, but with the Achilles´ heel of the need of using immunosuppressive drugs. Currently, cell encapsulation technology represents a real alternative to protect transplanted islets from the host´s immune attack. Although preliminary in v

Abstract: The vascularization of tissue grafts is critical for maintaining viability of the cells within a transplanted graft. A number of strategies are currently being investigated including very promising microfluidics systems. Here, we explored the potential for generating a vasculature-patterned endothelial cells (EC) that could be integrated into distinct layers between sheets of primary cells. Bioinspired from the leaf veins, we generated a reverse mold with a fractal

Abstract: Light-directed forces have been widely used to pattern micro/nanoscale objects with precise control, forming functional assemblies. However, a substantial laser intensity is required to generate sufficient optical gradient forces to move a small object in a certain direction, causing limited throughput for applications. A high-throughput light-directed assembly is demonstrated as a printing technology by introducing gold nanorods to induce thermal convection flows t

Abstract: Membranes act as smart structures in respect to their permeation abilities. Control of particle and fluid permeation through a synthetic membrane can be achieved by using different effects like size-exclusion or electromagnetic interactions that occur between the particles and membrane pores. The simulation of controlled permeability provides an insight into the smart behavior of membranes for chemical signal processing, sensing interfaces or lab-on-a-chip devices.

Abstract: Flow Lithography (FL) is the technique used for the synthesis of hydrogel microparticles with various complex shapes and distinct chemical compositions by combining microfluidics with photolithography. Although polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has been used most widely as almost the sole material for FL, PDMS microfluidic chips have limitations: (1) undesired shrinkage due to the thermal expansion of masters used for replica molding and (2) interfacial delamination betwe

Abstract: Hydrogel sheets have emerged as a promising biomaterial scaffold for the encapsulation and transfer of multicellular structures. Although the improvement of the chemical interactions and the design of micro-scaled geometry have contributed to the development of multipurpose hydrogel scaffolds, the application of hydrogel sheets to assess multicellular structures is still challenging. To expand the technical applicability of hydrogel sheets, we here demonstrate that

Abstract: Microfluidic devices present the basis of modern life sciences and chemical information processing. To control the flow and to allow optical readout, a reliable sensor material that can be easily utilized for microfluidic systems is in demand. Here, we present a new optical readout system for pH sensing based on pH sensitive, photoluminescent glutathione capped cadmium telluride quantum dots that are covalently immobilized in a poly(acrylate) hydrogel. For an applic

Abstract: Microfluidic devices present the basis of modern life sciences and chemical information processing. To control the flow and to allow optical readout, a reliable sensor material that can be easily utilized for microfluidic systems is in demand. Here, we present a new optical readout system for pH sensing based on pH sensitive, photoluminescent glutathione capped cadmium telluride quantum dots that are covalently immobilized in a poly(acrylate) hydrogel. For an applic

Abstract: Single-cell-laden microgels support physiological 3D culture conditions while enabling straightforward handling and high-resolution readouts of individual cells. However, their widespread adoption for long-term cultures is limited by cell escape. In this work, it is demonstrated that cell escape is predisposed to off-center encapsulated cells. High-speed microscopy reveals that cells are positioned at the microgel precursor droplets' oil/water interface within milli

Abstract: Droplet microfluidics, involving micrometer-sized emulsion of droplets is a growing subfield of microfluidics which attracts broad interest due to its application on biological assays. Droplet-based systems have been used as microreactors as well as to encapsulate many biological entities for biomedical and biotechnological applications. Here, a novel microfluidic device is presented for the generation, trapping and release of aqueous including hydrogel droplets in

Abstract: Droplet microfluidics, involving micrometer-sized emulsion of droplets is a growing subfield of microfluidics which attracts broad interest due to its application on biological assays. Droplet-based systems have been used as microreactors as well as to encapsulate many biological entities for biomedical and biotechnological applications. Here, a novel microfluidic device is presented for the generation, trapping and release of aqueous including hydrogel droplets in