Advances in Microtechnology for Cell/Tissue Engineering and Biosensing

A topical collection in Micro (ISSN 2673-8023).

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Editor


E-Mail Website
Collection Editor
1. Advanced Photonics and Biosensing Open Innovation Laboratory, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan
2. Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki 567-0047, Osaka, Japan
Interests: nanobiotechnology; advanced biosensor; bioMEMS; cell based device; biosensors for IoT
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue features research that aims to advance biotechnology by exploiting the properties of micro-scale structures and materials. In the field of biotechnology, exosomes, viruses, cells, and tissues are micro-sized structures, ranging from submicron to submillimeter, composed of functional biomolecules such as proteins, genes, and lipids. These biochemical environments could be effectively controlled by microfluidic device technologies mainly based on semiconductor microfabrication and photofabrication technologies, etc. Micro-scale electrodes, semiconductors, piezoelectric devices, optical devices, etc. can be used for measurement and analyses for these purposes. We welcome the development of microdevices based on new principles and materials, and the proposal of new biosensing and functional analysis methods of cells and tissues using these devices. This also includes advanced bioengineering such as single-cell analysis, cell differentiation, and tissue functional modification. Such research is expected to promote advanced biotechnology, which could lead to novel biosensing and analyses, cell/tissue engineering, biomedical diagnostics, therapeutic applications, drug discovery, etc.

Prof. Dr. Eiichi Tamiya
Collection Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • micro-scale device
  • microfluidics
  • biosensing
  • cell engineering
  • single-cell analysis
  • tissue engineering
  • biomedical diagnosis
  • therapeutic application
  • drug screening

Published Papers (6 papers)

2024

Jump to: 2022

22 pages, 3146 KiB  
Article
Pullulan/Collagen Scaffolds Promote Chronic Wound Healing via Mesenchymal Stem Cells
by Elçin Tören and Adnan Ahmed Mazari
Micro 2024, 4(4), 599-620; https://doi.org/10.3390/micro4040037 - 28 Oct 2024
Viewed by 389
Abstract
This study investigated the development of Pullulan/Collagen nanofiber scaffolds integrated with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to enhance chronic wound healing. The combination of these biopolymers aims to optimize the scaffold properties for cell growth, viability, and tissue regeneration. Materials and Methods: Pullulan, Collagen, [...] Read more.
This study investigated the development of Pullulan/Collagen nanofiber scaffolds integrated with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to enhance chronic wound healing. The combination of these biopolymers aims to optimize the scaffold properties for cell growth, viability, and tissue regeneration. Materials and Methods: Pullulan, Collagen, and Pullulan/Collagen composite nanofibers were fabricated using electrospinning. The fibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine the fiber diameter, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to assess the molecular interactions. Cell viability was evaluated using MSCs cultured on the scaffolds and apoptosis assays were conducted to assess cell health. Distilled water was used as the solvent to maximize biocompatibility. Results: SEM analysis revealed that Pullulan nanofibers exhibited a larger average diameter (274 ± 20 nm) compared to Collagen fibers (167.03 ± 40.04 nm), while the Pullulan/Collagen composite fibers averaged 280 ± 102 nm. FTIR confirmed the molecular interactions between Pullulan and Collagen. Regarding biocompatibility, the Pullulan/Collagen scaffold demonstrated superior cell viability at 99% compared to 91% for Pullulan alone. Apoptosis assays indicated significantly lower necrosis rates for the composite scaffold (1.29%) than for the Pullulan-only scaffolds (2.35%). Conclusion: The use of distilled water as a solvent played a critical role in increasing cell viability and facilitating healthy proliferation of MSCs without cellular damage. Additionally, the reduced platelet activation and macrophage activity (0.75-fold for both) further supported the biocompatibility of the Pullulan/Collagen scaffold, demonstrating its potential for tissue engineering and chronic wound healing applications. Full article
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22 pages, 9075 KiB  
Article
Textile Organic Electrochemical Transistor for Non-Invasive Glucose Sensing
by Rike Brendgen, Thomas Grethe and Anne Schwarz-Pfeiffer
Micro 2024, 4(4), 530-551; https://doi.org/10.3390/micro4040033 - 30 Sep 2024
Viewed by 559
Abstract
The global rise in diabetes has highlighted the urgent need for continuous, non-invasive health monitoring solutions. Traditional glucose monitoring methods, which are invasive and often inconvenient, have created a demand for alternative technologies that can offer comfort, accuracy, and real-time data. In this [...] Read more.
The global rise in diabetes has highlighted the urgent need for continuous, non-invasive health monitoring solutions. Traditional glucose monitoring methods, which are invasive and often inconvenient, have created a demand for alternative technologies that can offer comfort, accuracy, and real-time data. In this study, the development of a textile-based organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) is presented, designed for non-invasive glucose sensing, aiming to integrate this technology seamlessly into everyday clothing. The document details the design, optimization, and testing of a one-component textile-based OECT, featuring a porous PEDOT:PSS structure and a glucose oxidase-modified electrolyte for effective glucose detection in sweat. The research demonstrates the feasibility of using this textile-based OECT for non-invasive glucose monitoring, with enhanced sensitivity and specificity achieved through the integration of glucose oxidase within the electrolyte and the innovative porous PEDOT:PSS design. These findings suggest a significant advancement in wearable health monitoring technologies, providing a promising pathway for the development of smart textiles capable of non-invasively tracking glucose levels. Future work should focus on refining this technology for clinical use, including individual calibration for accurate blood glucose correlation and its integration into commercially available smart textiles. Full article
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20 pages, 28023 KiB  
Article
A Microfluidic Paper-Based Lateral Flow Device for Quantitative ELISA
by Ashutosh Kumar, Cameron Hahn, Stephen Herchen, Alex Soucy, Ethan Carpio, Sophia Harper, Nassim Rahmani, Constantine Anagnostopoulos and Mohammad Faghri
Micro 2024, 4(2), 348-367; https://doi.org/10.3390/micro4020022 - 16 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1808
Abstract
This study presents an innovative lateral flow microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) designed for conducting quantitative paper-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (p-ELISA), seamlessly executing conventional ELISA steps in a paper-based format. The p-ELISA device utilizes a passive fluidic circuit with functional elements such as [...] Read more.
This study presents an innovative lateral flow microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) designed for conducting quantitative paper-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (p-ELISA), seamlessly executing conventional ELISA steps in a paper-based format. The p-ELISA device utilizes a passive fluidic circuit with functional elements such as a multi-bi-material cantilever (B-MaC) assembly, delay channels, and a buffer zone, all enclosed within housing for autonomous, sequential loading of critical reagents onto the detection zone. This novel approach not only demonstrates a rapid assay completion time of under 30 min, but also boasts reduced reagent requirements, minimal equipment needs, and broad applicability across clinical diagnostics and environmental surveillance. Through detailed descriptions of the design, materials, and fabrication methods for the multi-directional flow assay (MDFA), this manuscript highlights the device’s potential for complex biochemical analyses in a user-friendly and versatile format. Analytical performance evaluation, including a limit of detection (LOD) of 8.4 pM for Rabbit IgG, benchmarks the device’s efficacy compared to existing p-ELISA methodologies. This pioneering work lays the groundwork for future advancements in autonomous diagnostics, aiming to enhance global health outcomes through accessible and reliable testing solutions. Full article
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10 pages, 3352 KiB  
Article
Single-Cell Screening through Cell Encapsulation in Photopolymerized Gelatin Methacryloyl
by Venkatesh Kumar Panneer Selvam, Takeru Fukunaga, Yuya Suzuki, Shunya Okamoto, Takayuki Shibata, Tuhin Subhra Santra and Moeto Nagai
Micro 2024, 4(2), 295-304; https://doi.org/10.3390/micro4020018 - 27 Apr 2024
Viewed by 828
Abstract
This study evaluated the potential of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) for single-cell screening compared to polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA). GelMA photopolymerized at 1000–2000 mJ/cm2 produced consistent patterns and supported HeLa cell viability. GelMA (5%w/v) facilitated better cell collection within 2 days due [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the potential of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) for single-cell screening compared to polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA). GelMA photopolymerized at 1000–2000 mJ/cm2 produced consistent patterns and supported HeLa cell viability. GelMA (5%w/v) facilitated better cell collection within 2 days due to its shape retention. GelMA demonstrated biocompatibility with HeLa cells exhibiting exponential proliferation and biodegradation over 5 days. The average cell displacement over 2 days was 16 µm. Two targeted cell recovery strategies using trypsin were developed: one for adherent cells encapsulated at 800 mJ/cm2, and another for floating cells encapsulated at 800 mJ/cm2, enabling the selective removal of unwanted cells. These findings suggest GelMA as a promising biomaterial for single-cell screening applications, offering advantages over PEGDA in cell encapsulation and targeted recovery. Full article
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11 pages, 3999 KiB  
Article
Janus Particles in Acoustofluidic Setup: The Interplay between Self-Propulsion and Acoustic Trapping
by Lisa Marie Benko, Vyacheslav R. Misko, Larysa Baraban, Denys Makarov, Antonio Maisto and Wim De Malsche
Micro 2024, 4(1), 185-195; https://doi.org/10.3390/micro4010013 - 16 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1467
Abstract
Acoustic focusing of particle flow in microfluidics has been shown to be an efficient tool for particle separation for various chemical and biomedical applications. The mechanism behind the method is the selective effect of the acoustic radiation force on distinct particles. In this [...] Read more.
Acoustic focusing of particle flow in microfluidics has been shown to be an efficient tool for particle separation for various chemical and biomedical applications. The mechanism behind the method is the selective effect of the acoustic radiation force on distinct particles. In this way, they can be selectively focused and separated. The technique can also be applied under stationary conditions, i.e., in the absence of fluid flows. In this study, the manipulation of self-propelled particles, such as Janus particles, in an acoustofluidic setup was investigated. In experiments with self-propelled Janus particles and passive beads, we explored the interplay between self-propulsion and the acoustic radiation force. Our results demonstrated unusual and potentially useful effects such as selective trapping, escape, and assisted escape in binary mixtures of active and passive particles. We also analyzed various aspects related to the behavior of Janus particles in acoustic traps in the presence and absence of flows. Full article
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2022

Jump to: 2024

12 pages, 3040 KiB  
Article
Possibility of Biological Observations Using the Speckle Interferometry-Based Super-Resolution Technology
by Yasuhiko Arai
Micro 2022, 2(4), 620-631; https://doi.org/10.3390/micro2040041 - 31 Oct 2022
Viewed by 1475
Abstract
Speckle interferometry techniques based on the phase-detection method have been widely used to observe microstructures beyond the diffraction limit, and the observations of hard solid samples such as microspheres and micro-characters have been previously reported. In this study, the possibility of applying this [...] Read more.
Speckle interferometry techniques based on the phase-detection method have been widely used to observe microstructures beyond the diffraction limit, and the observations of hard solid samples such as microspheres and micro-characters have been previously reported. In this study, the possibility of applying this super-resolution technology to the observation of biological tissues is investigated using plant-cell chromosomes, which are relatively easy to handle and compatible with the diffraction limit. The results reveal that the new super-resolution technique, which is based on speckle interferometry, can be used to observe cellular tissues with complex structures that are subjected to conventional cell-fixation treatments similar to solid samples. However, the shape of the fixed-treated chromosomes is distorted and differs from that of living cells. Furthermore, when observing real living cells using current optics systems, the sample is typically observed vertically. This study indicates that these optics systems must be improved to allow horizontal placements of the samples in the culture medium. Full article
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