Programmed assembly of bespoke prototissues on a microfluidic platform

<p>The precise assembly of protocell building blocks into prototissues that are stable in water, capable of sensing the external environment and which display collective behaviours remains a considerable challenge in prototissue engineering. In this work we explore the use of microfluidic technologies for the programmed assembly of bio-orthogonally reactive protein-polymer protocells into prototissue spheroids of precise size, composition and with unique Janus configurations. We then show that by controlling the number and phenotype of the protocells that compose the prototissue spheroids it is possible to modulate both the amplitude of the thermally induced contractions of the biomaterial and its collective endogenous biochemical reactivity. Overall, our results show that microfluidic technologies enable a new route to the precise and high-throughput fabrication of tissue-like materials with programmable collective properties that can be tuned through a careful assembly of protocell building blocks of different phenotypes. We anticipate that our bespoke prototissues will be a starting point for the development of more sophisticated artificial tissues for use in medicine, soft robotics and environmentally beneficial bioreactor technologies.</p>

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Programmed Assembly of Bespoke Prototissue Spheroids on a Microfluidic Platform

10.26434/chemrxiv.13487247.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Kaitlyn Ramsay ◽

Jae Levy ◽

Pierangelo Gobbo ◽

Katherine Elvira

Keyword(s):

High Throughput ◽

External Environment ◽

Size Composition ◽

Building Blocks ◽

Soft Robotics ◽

Thermally Induced ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Protein Polymer ◽

Starting Point ◽

Programmed Assembly

<p>The precise assembly of protocell building blocks into prototissues that are stable in water, capable of sensing the external environment and which display collective behaviours remains a considerable challenge in prototissue engineering. In this work we explore the use of microfluidic technologies for the programmed assembly of bio-orthogonally reactive protein-polymer protocells into prototissue spheroids of precise size, composition and with unique Janus configurations. We then show that by controlling the number and phenotype of the protocells that compose the prototissue spheroids it is possible to modulate both the amplitude of the thermally induced contractions of the biomaterial and its collective endogenous biochemical reactivity. Overall, our results show that microfluidic technologies enable a new route to the precise and high-throughput fabrication of tissue-like materials with programmable collective properties that can be tuned through a careful assembly of protocell building blocks of different phenotypes. We anticipate that our bespoke prototissues will be a starting point for the development of more sophisticated artificial tissues for use in medicine, soft robotics and environmentally beneficial bioreactor technologies.</p>

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Programmed assembly of oppositely charged homogeneously decorated and Janus particles

Faraday Discussions ◽

10.1039/c6fd00008h ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 191 ◽

pp. 89-104 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Alina Kirillova ◽

Georgi Stoychev ◽

Alla Synytska

Keyword(s):

Optical Properties ◽

Electrostatic Interactions ◽

Building Blocks ◽

Janus Particles ◽

Complex Structures ◽

Janus Particle ◽

Micro Structures ◽

Oppositely Charged ◽

Particle Assemblies ◽

Programmed Assembly

The exploitation of colloidal building blocks with morphological and functional anisotropy facilitates the generation of complex structures with unique properties, which are not exhibited by isotropic particle assemblies. Herein, we demonstrate an easy and scalable bottom-up approach for the programmed assembly of hairy oppositely charged homogeneously decorated and Janus particles based on electrostatic interactions mediated by polyelectrolytes grafted onto their surface. Two different assembly routes are proposed depending on the target structures: raspberry-like/half-raspberry-like or dumbbell-like micro-clusters. Ultimately, stable symmetric and asymmetric micro-structures could be obtained in a well-controlled manner for the homogeneous–homogeneous and homogeneous–Janus particle assemblies, respectively. The spatially separated functionalities of the asymmetric Janus particle-based micro-clusters allow their further assembly into complex hierarchical constructs, which may potentially lead to the design of materials with tailored plasmonics and optical properties.

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(Invited) Programmed Assembly of Designer Solids from Molecular Building Blocks: A Route Towards Digitalization of Materials Research?

ECS Meeting Abstracts ◽

10.1149/ma2020-02302000mtgabs ◽

2020 ◽

Vol MA2020-02 (30) ◽

pp. 2000-2000

Author(s):

Christof Woell

Keyword(s):

Building Blocks ◽

Molecular Building Blocks ◽

Materials Research ◽

Programmed Assembly

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Programmed assembly of 4,2′:6′,4′′-terpyridine derivatives into porous, on-surface networks

Chemical Communications ◽

10.1039/c5cc04186d ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 51 (61) ◽

pp. 12297-12300 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Thomas Nijs ◽

Frederik J. Malzner ◽

Shadi Fatayer ◽

Aneliia Wäckerlin ◽

Sylwia Nowakowska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Building Blocks ◽

Coordination Network ◽

Surface Transformation ◽

Programmed Assembly ◽

Hydrogen Bonded

4,2′:6′,4′′-Terpyridine building blocks self-assemble into hydrogen-bonded domains; addition of copper atoms results in an on-surface transformation into a coordination network.

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Capability-Based Theories of Multinational Enterprise Growth

The Oxford Handbook of International Business Strategy ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198868378.013.3 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 55-75

Author(s):

David J. Teece ◽

Olga Petricevic

Keyword(s):

International Business ◽

External Environment ◽

Multinational Enterprise ◽

Building Blocks ◽

Growth Trajectories ◽

Enterprise Growth ◽

The Core ◽

Traditional Approaches

In this chapter we argue that traditional approaches to modeling the growth of the multinational enterprise (MNE) that focus on costs and efficiencies are too narrow to adequately and comprehensively address the foundations of MNE growth trajectories. Today’s global realities and the changing view of the MNE require a more focused and explicit capability-based perspective. In particular, we posit that contemporary theories of the MNE require frameworks and explanations that should simultaneously account for the uncertainties that firms face in their external environment and the complexities of often competing internal, organizational alternatives. To develop our reasoning in support of capability-based thinking, we discuss the changing nature on the international business (IB) landscape, the evolving views on the nature of the MNE, and present the core building blocks of capability-based thinking in managing MNE growth. We conclude the chapter by offering some thoughts on how capability-based thinking could be applied in future scholarly efforts.

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Novel Microfabrication Techniques for Highly Specific Programmed Assembly of Nanostructures

Design, Synthesis, and Applications ◽

10.1115/nano2004-46053 ◽

2004 ◽

Author(s):

Balaji Kannan ◽

Arun Majumdar

Keyword(s):

Building Blocks ◽

Prototype System ◽

Full Potential ◽

Synthetic Dna ◽

Dna Strands ◽

Manufacturing Techniques ◽

Nanoscale Manufacturing ◽

Programmed Assembly ◽

Parallel Fashion ◽

Microfabrication Techniques

Chemically synthesized nanostructures such as nanowires1, carbon nanotubes2 and quantum dots3 possess extraordinary physical, electronic and optical properties that are not found in bulk matter. These characteristics make them attractive candidates for building subsequent generations of novel and superior devices that will find application in areas such as electronics, photonics, energy and biotechnology. In order to realize the full potential of these nanoscale materials, manufacturing techniques that combine the advantages of top-down lithography with bottom-up programmed assembly need to be developed, so that nanostructures can be organized into higher-level devices and systems in a rational manner. However, it is essential that nanostructure assembly occur only at specified locations of the substrate and nowhere else, since otherwise undesirable structures and devices will result. Towards this end, we have developed a hybrid micro/nanoscale-manufacturing paradigm that can be used to program the assembly of nanostructured building blocks at specific, pre-defined locations of a chip in a highly parallel fashion. As a prototype system we have used synthetic DNA molecules and gold nanoparticles modified with complementary DNA strands as the building blocks to demonstrate the highly selective and specific assembly of these nanomaterials on lithographically patterned substrates.

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Biologically inspired strategy for programmed assembly of viral building blocks with controlled dimensions

Biotechnology Journal ◽

10.1002/biot.201100504 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 237-246 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Jennifer M. Rego ◽

Jae-Hun Lee ◽

David H. Lee ◽

Hyunmin Yi

Keyword(s):

Building Blocks ◽

Biologically Inspired ◽

Programmed Assembly

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Supramolecular inorganic frameworks: “dynamic” challenges for structural chemistry

Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials ◽

10.1524/zkri.220.4.364.61625 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 220 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Leslie J. May ◽

George K. H. Shimizu

Keyword(s):

Solid State ◽

Supramolecular Chemistry ◽

Building Blocks ◽

Short Review ◽

Supramolecular System ◽

Structural Rearrangements ◽

Error Checking ◽

Discrete Structures ◽

State Coordination ◽

Programmed Assembly

AbstractThe supramolecular chemistry of discrete assemblies of various topologies (cages, grids, helices, etc.) has been extensively studied. With regards to the supramolecular chemistry of infinite solids, attention is usually focussed on the design of an efficient, programmed assembly motif through the choice of suitable building blocks. However, as well illustrated by the discrete structures, a hallmark property of a supramolecular system is its ability to reversibly assemble to optimize its structure, effectively error checking. For a rigid infinite framework, this feature is less obvious. Error checking is manifested in an extended framework through structural rearrangements in the solid state. Coordination frameworks, as they are often at least partially sustained by weaker interactions, can demonstrate such dynamic behavior in response to some external stimulus. Selected examples, chosen to illustrate a range of network types and rearrangements, will be discussed in this short review.

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