MAGNETOPHORETIC CIRCUIT BIOCOMPATIBILITY

Recently, we introduced magnetophoretic circuits, composed of overlaid magnetic and metallic layers, as a novel single-cell analysis (SCA) tool. We showed the ability of these circuits in organizing large single-particle and particle-pair arrays. Assembling the cells in microarrays is performed with the ultimate goal of running temporal phenotypic analyses. However, for long-term studies, a suitable microenvironment for the cells to normally grow and differentiate is needed. Towards this goal, in this study, we run required biocompatibility tests, based on which we make the magnetophoretic-based microchip a suitable home for the cells to grow. The results confirm the ability of these chips in cell handling and show no unwanted cell behavior alteration due to the applied shear stress on them, the magnetic labeling, or the microenvironment. After this achievement, this tool would be ready for running important single-cell studies in oncology, virology, and medicine.

Magnetic Targeting of Stem Cell Derivatives Enhances Hepatic Engraftment into Structurally Normal Liver

Attaining consistent robust engraftment in the structurally normal liver is an obstacle for cellular transplantation. Most experimental approaches to increase transplanted cells’ engraftment involve recipient-centered deleterious methods such as partial hepatectomy or irradiation which may be unsuitable in the clinic. Here, we present a cell-based strategy that increases engraftment into the structurally normal liver using a combination of magnetic targeting and proliferative endoderm progenitor (EPs) cells. Magnetic labeling has little effect on cell viability and differentiation, but in the presence of magnetic targeting, it increases the initial dwell time of transplanted EPs into the undamaged liver parenchyma. Consequently, greater cell retention in the liver is observed concomitantly with fewer transplanted cells in the lungs. These highly proliferative cells then significantly increase their biomass over time in the liver parenchyma, approaching nearly 4% of total liver cells 30 d after transplant. Therefore, the cell-based mechanisms of increased initial dwell time through magnetic targeting combined with high rate of proliferation in situ yield significant engraftment in the undamaged liver.

Cationized Magnetoferritin Enables Rapid Labeling and Concentration of Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria in Magnetic Cell Separation Columns

ABSTRACTIn order to identify pathogens rapidly and reliably, bacterial capture and concentration from large sample volumes into smaller ones are often required. Magnetic labeling and capture of bacteria using a magnetic field hold great promise for achieving this goal, but the current protocols have poor capture efficiency. Here, we present a rapid and highly efficient approach to magnetic labeling and capture of both Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria using cationized magnetoferritin (cat-MF). Magnetic labeling was achieved within a 1-min incubation period with cat-MF, and 99.97% of the labeled bacteria were immobilized in commercially available magnetic cell separation (MACS) columns. Longer incubation times led to more efficient capture, withS. aureusbeing immobilized to a greater extent thanE. coli. Finally, low numbers of magnetically labeledE. colibacteria (<100 CFU per ml) were immobilized with 100% efficiency and concentrated 7-fold within 15 min. Therefore, our study provides a novel protocol for rapid and highly efficient magnetic labeling, capture, and concentration of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.IMPORTANCEAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global challenge. Rapid identification of pathogens will retard the spread of AMR by enabling targeted treatment with suitable agents and by reducing inappropriate antimicrobial use. Rapid detection methods based on microfluidic devices require that bacteria are concentrated from large volumes into much smaller ones. Concentration of bacteria is also important to detect low numbers of pathogens with confidence. Here, we demonstrate that magnetic separation columns capture small amounts of bacteria with 100% efficiency. Rapid magnetization was achieved by exposing bacteria to cationic magnetic nanoparticles, and magnetized bacteria were concentrated 7-fold inside the column. Thus, bacterial capture and concentration were achieved within 15 min. This approach could be extended to encompass the capture and concentration of specific pathogens, for example, by functionalizing magnetic nanoparticles with antibodies or small molecule probes.

Magnetic Micro/Nano Structures for Biological Manipulation

Biomanipulation based on micro/nano structures is an attractive approach for biotechnology. To manipulate biological systems by magnetic forces, the magnetic labeling technology utilized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as a common rule. Ferrofluid, well-dispersed MNPs, can be used for magnetic modification of the surface or as molds to form organized microstructures. For magnetic-based micro/nano structures, different methods to modulate magnetic field at the microscale have been developed. Specifically, this review focused on a new strategy which uses the concept of micromagnetism of patterned magnetic thin film with specific domain walls configurations to generate stable magnetic poles for cell patterning.