scholarly journals Design and Fabrication of Low-Cost Microfluidic Chips and Microfluidic Routing System for Reconfigurable Multi-(Organ-on-a-Chip) Assembly

Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1542
Author(s):  
Sadeq Abu-Dawas ◽  
Hawra Alawami ◽  
Mohammed Zourob ◽  
Qasem Ramadan
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Microfluidic Chips ◽  
Cell Tissue ◽  
Custom Design ◽  
Specialized Equipment ◽  
Organ On A Chip ◽  
Fluidic Routing

A low-cost, versatile, and reconfigurable fluidic routing system and chip assembly have been fabricated and tested. The platform and its accessories were fabricated in-house without the need for costly and specialized equipment nor specific expertise. An agarose-based artificial membrane was integrated into the chips and employed to test the chip-to-chip communication in various configurations. Various chip assemblies were constructed and tested which demonstrate the versatile utility of the fluidic routing system that enables the custom design of the chip-to-chip communication and the possibility of fitting a variety of (organ-on-a-chip)-based biological models with multicell architectures. The reconfigurable chip assembly would enable selective linking/isolating the desired chip/compartment, hence allowing the study of the contribution of specific cell/tissue within the in vitro models.

scholarly journals Gold-coated plant virus as computed tomography imaging contrast agent

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 1983-1993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alaa A A Aljabali ◽  
Mazhar S Al Zoubi ◽  
Khalid M Al-Batanyeh ◽  
Ali Al-Radaideh ◽  
Mohammad A Obeid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Contrast Agent ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Scan Time ◽  
Ct Contrast Agent ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Resolution Imaging

Chemical modification of the surface of viruses, both the interior and the exterior, imparts new functionalities, that have potential applications in nanomedicine. In this study, we developed novel virus-based nanomaterials as a contrast agent for computed tomography (CT) imaging in vitro. The gold-coated cowpea mosaic virus (Au-CPMV) particles were generated by the electrostatic adsorption of positively charged electrolyte on the virus capsid with the subsequent incubation and reduction of anionic gold complexes. Au-CPMV particles as a CT contrast agent offer a fast scan time (less than 2 min), low cost, and biocompatibility and allow for high-resolution imaging with ca. 150 Hounsfield units (HU). The Au-CPMV surface was further modified allowing for the incorporation of targeting molecules of specific cell types.

Low-cost rapid prototyping and assembly of open microfluidic device for 3D vascularized organ-on-a-chip

Lab on a Chip ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qinyu Li ◽  
Kai Niu ◽  
Ding Wang ◽  
Lian Xuan ◽  
Xiaolin Wang
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Prototyping ◽  
Microfluidic Device ◽  
Biomedical Engineering ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Human Diseases ◽  
Microfabricated Devices ◽  
Organ On A Chip

Reconstruction of 3D vascularized microtissue within microfabricated devices has rapidly developed in biomedical engineering, which can better mimic tissue microphysiological function and accurately model human diseases in vitro. However, the...

scholarly journals Breaking the Third Wall: Implementing 3D-Printing Technics to Expand the Complexity and Abilities of Multi-Organ-on-a-Chip Devices

Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 627
Author(s):  
Yoel Goldstein ◽  
Sarah Spitz ◽  
Keren Turjeman ◽  
Florian Selinger ◽  
Yechezkel Barenholz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Cfd Simulation ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
3D Print ◽  
Biological Compatibility ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Organ On A Chip

The understanding that systemic context and tissue crosstalk are essential keys for bridging the gap between in vitro models and in vivo conditions led to a growing effort in the last decade to develop advanced multi-organ-on-a-chip devices. However, many of the proposed devices have failed to implement the means to allow for conditions tailored to each organ individually, a crucial aspect in cell functionality. Here, we present two 3D-print-based fabrication methods for a generic multi-organ-on-a-chip device: One with a PDMS microfluidic core unit and one based on 3D-printed units. The device was designed for culturing different tissues in separate compartments by integrating individual pairs of inlets and outlets, thus enabling tissue-specific perfusion rates that facilitate the generation of individual tissue-adapted perfusion profiles. The device allowed tissue crosstalk using microchannel configuration and permeable membranes used as barriers between individual cell culture compartments. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation confirmed the capability to generate significant differences in shear stress between the two individual culture compartments, each with a selective shear force. In addition, we provide preliminary findings that indicate the feasibility for biological compatibility for cell culture and long-term incubation in 3D-printed wells. Finally, we offer a cost-effective, accessible protocol enabling the design and fabrication of advanced multi-organ-on-a-chip devices.

scholarly journals Biofabrication of advanced in vitro and ex vivo cancer models for disease modeling and drug screening

2021 ◽  
pp. FDD62
Author(s):  
Kylie G Nairon ◽  
Aleksander Skardal
Keyword(s):  
Disease Modeling ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Human Tumor ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Tissue Type ◽  
Organ On A Chip ◽  
Vitro Model ◽  
Model Platform ◽  
Simple Systems

Bioengineered in vitro models have advanced from 2D cultures and simple 3D cell aggregates to more complex organoids and organ-on-a-chip platforms. This shift has been substantial in cancer research; while simple systems remain in use, multi-tissue type tumor and tissue chips and patient-derived tumor organoids have grown rapidly. These more advanced models offer new tools to cancer researchers based on human tumor physiology and the potential for interactions with nontumor tissue physiology while avoiding critical differences between human and animal biology. In this focused review, the authors discuss the importance of organoid and organ-on-a-chip platforms, with a particular focus on modeling cancer, to highlight oncology-focused in vitro model platform technologies that improve upon the simple 2D cultures and 3D spheroid models of the past.

scholarly journals Bioassays based on higher plants as excellent dosimeters for ecotoxicity monitoring: A review

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chem Int ◽  
Munawar Iqbal
Keyword(s):  
Industrial Wastewater ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Genetic Model ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Industrial Effluents ◽  
In Vitro Models

All sorts of pollution on the planet can be traced back to development of industries and the most important among them is water pollution. Clean technologies, management practices and regular monitoring of effluents could be helpful to minimize the contamination of watersheds. Allium cepa (A. cepa) has been recognized as a promising genetic model to detect the toxicity of industrial wastewater, contaminated soil, river water, nuclear contamination and even for those systems which are considered non toxic. A. cepa is distinguished as a low cost test, easy to handle and sensitive to both in vivo and in vitro models. It offers the detection of damages in genetic material quantitatively and the results can be generalized for other biological and ecological systems. Moreover, the pollutants can be classified on the basis of this test present in industrial effluents and their mechanism of action on genetic material. This review focuses on the studies undertaken to evaluate the toxicity of industrial wastewater, contaminated river and soils.

PEEK-Barium sulfate composite for three-dimensional virtual reconstruction of a printed human in vitro model using CT

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Weixin Li ◽  
Chen Zheng ◽  
Yicha Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Barium Sulfate ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Virtual Model ◽  
Model Reconstruction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Surgical Guides ◽  
Surgical Operations

Purpose The purpose of this study is to test the concept of a relatively low cost but biocompatible customized surgical guide printing method using a new composite material for the FDM process to support accurate virtual model reconstruction in CT. Design/methodology/approach Current additive manufacturing printed surgical guides have problems of scanning artifacts or low computed tomography (CT) values for virtual model reconstruction in CT-assisted surgical operations. These tools always face difficulties in precise positioning due to the effect of human soft tissues and manually made unstable landmarks. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a modified material, polyetheretherketone powder mixed with barium sulfate powder, for printing customized surgical guides with relatively low cost to support a synchronized scanning strategy, for the accurate reconstruction of human tissues and in vitro models. Findings A set of benchmarking experiments and clinical simulation cases were conducted. The results showed that the proposed solution can be used to print surgical guides to form stable and clear CT graphs for three-dimensional digital model reconstruction. Human tissues and in vitro models can be accurately reconstructed using clear CT graphs without any scanning artifacts or difficulties in image segmentation for virtual model reconstruction, thus facilitating accurate operation guidance and positioning. Originality/value This method has wide application potential for printing modular or customized surgical guides with low cost and reusability, especially for surgical operations using CT-assisted navigation systems in underdeveloped regions where medical device costs are a critical issue.

scholarly journals Recent progress in translational engineered in vitro models of the central nervous system

Brain ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 143 (11) ◽  
pp. 3181-3213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Polyxeni Nikolakopoulou ◽  
Rossana Rauti ◽  
Dimitrios Voulgaris ◽  
Iftach Shlomy ◽  
Ben M Maoz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Practical Guidelines ◽  
Organ On A Chip ◽  
Induced Pluripotent

Abstract The complexity of the human brain poses a substantial challenge for the development of models of the CNS. Current animal models lack many essential human characteristics (in addition to raising operational challenges and ethical concerns), and conventional in vitro models, in turn, are limited in their capacity to provide information regarding many functional and systemic responses. Indeed, these challenges may underlie the notoriously low success rates of CNS drug development efforts. During the past 5 years, there has been a leap in the complexity and functionality of in vitro systems of the CNS, which have the potential to overcome many of the limitations of traditional model systems. The availability of human-derived induced pluripotent stem cell technology has further increased the translational potential of these systems. Yet, the adoption of state-of-the-art in vitro platforms within the CNS research community is limited. This may be attributable to the high costs or the immaturity of the systems. Nevertheless, the costs of fabrication have decreased, and there are tremendous ongoing efforts to improve the quality of cell differentiation. Herein, we aim to raise awareness of the capabilities and accessibility of advanced in vitro CNS technologies. We provide an overview of some of the main recent developments (since 2015) in in vitro CNS models. In particular, we focus on engineered in vitro models based on cell culture systems combined with microfluidic platforms (e.g. ‘organ-on-a-chip’ systems). We delve into the fundamental principles underlying these systems and review several applications of these platforms for the study of the CNS in health and disease. Our discussion further addresses the challenges that hinder the implementation of advanced in vitro platforms in personalized medicine or in large-scale industrial settings, and outlines the existing differentiation protocols and industrial cell sources. We conclude by providing practical guidelines for laboratories that are considering adopting organ-on-a-chip technologies.

scholarly journals Bioprinting of three dimensional tumor models: a preliminary study using a low cost 3D printer

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Polley ◽  
Robert Mau ◽  
Clemens Lieberwirth ◽  
Jan Stenzel ◽  
Brigitte Vollmar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
3D Culture ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Tumor Model ◽  
Modern Medicine ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
3D Printer ◽  
Hydrogel Matrix

AbstractThe deep understanding of cancer and tumor genesis, as well as the development of new therapy strategies still remains one of the emerging challenges in modern medicine. To meet these challenges it seems to be absolutely necessary to overcome the drawbacks of the established 2D in vitro models. Especially the missing microenvironment of the tumor, which means the absence of stroma and immune cells, results in a missing cell-cell and cell-stroma interaction as well as disrupted functional communication pathways. Modern 3D culture systems and 3D printing or rather bioprinting technologies attempt to solve this issue and aim to closely mimic natural tumor microenvironment. In this preliminary work we are going to present the first steps of establishing an artificial 3D tumor model utilising a low cost 3D printer. Therefore the printer had been modified with an open-source syringe pump to become a functional bioprinter using viscosity modulated alginate hydrogel. In the first attempts L929 mouse fibroblasts, which are an integral component of natural stroma, had been incorporated into the hydrogel matrix and printed into scaffolds. Subsequent to the printing process the scaffolds got ionically crosslinked with a 5% w/v aqueous solution of CaCl2 to become mechanically stable. After three days of cultivation viability testing had been performed by utilising FDG staining and PET CT to obtain a volumetric viability measurement. The viability imaging showed vital cells homogeneously distributed in the scaffold and therefore stands as an evidence for a working low cost bioprinting process and a successful first step for the development of an artificial 3D tumor model.

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