scholarly journals Automatic Lab on PCB System for Agarose Gel Preparation and Electrophoresis for Biomedical Applications

Author(s):  
Jesús David Urbano-Gámez ◽  
Francisco Perdigones ◽  
José Manuel Quero

In this paper, a prototype of an automatic lab on PCB for agarose preparation and electrophoresis is developed. The dimensions of the device are 38×34 mm2 and includes a conductivity sensor for detecting the TAE buffer (Tris-Acetate-EDTA buffer), a microheater for mixing, a NTC thermistor for controlling the temperature, a LDR sensor for measuring the transparency of the mixture, and two electrodes for performing the electrophoresis. The agarose preparation functions are governed by a microcontroller. The device requires a PMMA structure to define the wells of the agarose gel, and to release the electrodes from the agarose. The maximum voltage and current that the system requires are 40 V to perform the electrophoresis, and 1 A for activating the microheater. The chosen temperature for mixing is 80ºC, with a mixing time of 10 min. In addition, the curing time is about 30 min. This device is intended to be integrated as a part of a larger lab on PCB system for DNA amplification and detection. However, it can be used to migrate DNA amplified in conventional thermocyclers. Moreover, the device can be modified for preparing larger agarose gels and performing electrophoresis in an automatic manner.

Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1071
Author(s):  
Jesús David Urbano-Gámez ◽  
Francisco Perdigones ◽  
José Manuel Quero

In this paper, a prototype of a semi-automatic lab-on-PCB for agarose gel preparation and electrophoresis is developed. The dimensions of the device are 38 × 34 mm2 and it includes a conductivity sensor for detecting the TAE buffer (Tris-acetate-EDTA buffer), a microheater for increasing the solubility of the agarose, a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor for controlling the temperature, a light dependent resistor (LDR) sensor for measuring the transparency of the mixture, and two electrodes for performing the electrophoresis. The agarose preparation functions are governed by a microcontroller. The device requires a PMMA structure to define the wells of the agarose gel, and to release the electrodes from the agarose. The maximum voltage and current that the system requires are 40 V to perform the electrophoresis, and 1 A for activating the microheater. The chosen temperature for mixing is 80 ∘C, with a mixing time of 10 min. In addition, the curing time is about 30 min. This device is intended to be integrated as a part of a larger lab-on-PCB system for DNA amplification and detection. However, it can be used to migrate DNA amplified in conventional thermocyclers. Moreover, the device can be modified for preparing larger agarose gels and performing electrophoresis.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 1631
Author(s):  
Mariangela Guastaferro ◽  
Ernesto Reverchon ◽  
Lucia Baldino

A comparative analysis concerning bio-based gels production, to be used for tissue regeneration, has been performed in this review. These gels are generally applied as scaffolds in the biomedical field, thanks to their morphology, low cytotoxicity, and high biocompatibility. Focusing on the time interval 2015–2020, the production of 3D scaffolds of alginate, chitosan and agarose, for skin and bone regeneration, has mainly been investigated. Traditional techniques are critically reviewed to understand their limitations and how supercritical CO2-assisted processes could overcome these drawbacks. In particular, even if freeze-drying represents the most widespread drying technique used to produce polysaccharide-based cryogels, supercritical CO2-assisted drying effectively allows preservation of the nanoporous aerogel structure and removes the organic solvent used for gel preparation. These characteristics are essential for cell adhesion and proliferation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erfan Dashtimoghadam ◽  
Farahnaz Fahimipour ◽  
Andrew N. Keith ◽  
Foad Vashahi ◽  
Pavel Popryadukhin ◽  
...  

AbstractCurrent materials used in biomedical devices do not match tissue’s mechanical properties and leach various chemicals into the body. These deficiencies pose significant health risks that are further exacerbated by invasive implantation procedures. Herein, we leverage the brush-like polymer architecture to design and administer minimally invasive injectable elastomers that cure in vivo into leachable-free implants with mechanical properties matching the surrounding tissue. This strategy allows tuning curing time from minutes to hours, which empowers a broad range of biomedical applications from rapid wound sealing to time-intensive reconstructive surgery. These injectable elastomers support in vitro cell proliferation, while also demonstrating in vivo implant integrity with a mild inflammatory response and minimal fibrotic encapsulation.


2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jared S Farrar ◽  
Carl T Wittwer

Abstract BACKGROUND PCR is a key technology in molecular biology and diagnostics that typically amplifies and quantifies specific DNA fragments in about an hour. However, the kinetic limits of PCR are unknown. METHODS We developed prototype instruments to temperature cycle 1- to 5-μL samples in 0.4–2.0 s at annealing/extension temperatures of 62 °C–76 °C and denaturation temperatures of 85 °C–92 °C. Primer and polymerase concentrations were increased 10- to 20-fold above typical concentrations to match the kinetics of primer annealing and polymerase extension to the faster temperature cycling. We assessed analytical specificity and yield on agarose gels and by high-resolution melting analysis. Amplification efficiency and analytical sensitivity were demonstrated by real-time optical monitoring. RESULTS Using single-copy genes from human genomic DNA, we amplified 45- to 102-bp targets in 15–60 s. Agarose gels showed bright single bands at the expected size, and high-resolution melting curves revealed single products without using any “hot start” technique. Amplification efficiencies were 91.7%–95.8% by use of 0.8- to 1.9-s cycles with single-molecule sensitivity. A 60-bp genomic target was amplified in 14.7 s by use of 35 cycles. CONCLUSIONS The time required for PCR is inversely related to the concentration of critical reactants. By increasing primer and polymerase concentrations 10- to 20-fold with temperature cycles of 0.4–2.0 s, efficient (>90%), specific, high-yield PCR from human DNA is possible in <15 s. Extreme PCR demonstrates the feasibility of while-you-wait testing for infectious disease, forensics, and any application where immediate results may be critical.


2021 ◽  
Vol 903 ◽  
pp. 11-16
Author(s):  
M.A. Manjunath ◽  
K. Naveen ◽  
Prakash Vinod ◽  
N. Balashanmugam ◽  
M.R. Shankar

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is one among few known photo-polymeric resin useful in lithography for fabricating structures having better mechanical properties to meet the requirement in electronics and biomedical applications. This study explores the effect of Photo Initiator (PI) concentration and also curing time on strength and hardness of Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) obtained by UV photopolymerization of Methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer. The UV LED light source operating at the wavelength of 364 nm is used with Benzoin Ethyl Ether (BEE) as photo initiator. The curing of PMMA resin is supported with peltier cooling device placed at the bottom of the UV light source. The characterisation study of UV photo cured PMMA is analysed through nano indenter (Agilent Technologies-G200). The current work investigates the influence of PI concentration and curing time in achieving maximum mechanical properties for UV photopolymerized PMMA.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erfan Dashtimoghadam ◽  
Farahnaz Fahimipour ◽  
Andrew Keith ◽  
Foad Vashahi ◽  
Pavel Popryadukhin ◽  
...  

Abstract Current materials used in biomedical devices do not match tissue’s mechanical properties and leach various chemicals into the body. These deficiencies pose significant health risks that are further exacerbated by invasive implantation procedures. Herein, we leverage the brush-like polymer architecture to design and administer minimally invasive injectable elastomers that cure in vivo into leachable-free implants with mechanical properties matching the surrounding tissue. This strategy allows tuning curing time from minutes to hours, which empowers a broad range of biomedical applications from rapid wound sealing to time-intensive reconstructive surgery. These injectable elastomers support in vitro cell proliferation, while also demonstrating in vivo implant integrity with a mild inflammatory response and minimal fibrotic encapsulation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 979-985 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hisashi Hayashi ◽  
Yui Sato ◽  
Saya Aoki ◽  
Mao Takaishi

The measurement of Cs adsorption by the precipitation bands of Mn-based Prussian blue analogues (PBAs), Co-based PBAs, and Prussian blue (PB), which were spontaneously formed in agarose gel, was carried out using in situ X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1170
Author(s):  
Caroline S. A. de Lima ◽  
Justine P. R. O. Varca ◽  
Kamila M. Nogueira ◽  
Gabriela N. Fazolin ◽  
Lucas F. de Freitas ◽  
...  

Papain is a therapeutic enzyme with restricted applications due to associated allergenic reactions. Papain nanoparticles have shown to be safe for biomedical use, although a method for proper drug loading and release remains to be developed. Thus, the objective of this work was to develop and assess the stability of papain nanoparticles in a prototype semi-solid formulation suitable for dermatological or topical administrations. Papain nanoparticles of 7.0 ± 0.1 nm were synthesized and loaded into carboxymethylcellulose- and poly(vinyl alcohol)-based gels. The formulations were then assayed for preliminary stability, enzyme activity, cytotoxicity studies, and characterized according to their microstructures and protein distribution. The formulations were suitable for papain nanoparticle loading and provided a stable environment for the nanoparticles. The enzyme distribution along the gel matrix was homogeneous for all the formulations, and the proteolytic activity was preserved after the gel preparation. Both gels presented a slow release of the papain nanoparticles for four days. Cell viability assays revealed no potential cytotoxicity, and the presence of the nanoparticles did not alter the microstructure of the gel. The developed systems presented a potential for biomedical applications, either as drug delivery systems for papain nanoparticles and/or its complexes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (11) ◽  
pp. pdb.prot100438
Author(s):  
Michael R. Green ◽  
Joseph Sambrook

Alkaline agarose gels are run at high pH, which causes each thymine and guanine residue to lose a proton and thus prevents the formation of hydrogen bonds with their adenine and cytosine partners. The denatured DNA is maintained in a single-stranded state and migrates through an alkaline agarose gel as a function of its size. Other denaturants such as formamide and urea do not work well because they cause the agarose to become rubbery.


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