Biological cells on microchips: New technologies and applications

Biohybrid Soft Robots Powered by Myocyte: Current Progress and Future Perspectives

Myocyte-driven robots, a type of biological actuator that combines myocytes with abiotic systems, have gained significant attention due to their high energy efficiency, sensitivity, biocompatibility, and self-healing capabilities. These robots have a unique advantage in simulating the structure and function of human tissues and organs. This review covers the research progress in this field, detailing the benefits of myocyte-driven robots over traditional methods, the materials used in their fabrication (including myocytes and extracellular materials), and their properties and manufacturing techniques. Additionally, the review explores various control methods, robot structures, and motion types. Lastly, the potential applications and key challenges faced by myocyte-driven robots are discussed and summarized.

Arraying of microphotosynthetic power cells for enhanced power output

Microphotosynthetic power cells (µPSCs) generate power through the exploitation of living photosynthetic microorganisms by harvesting sunlight. The thermodynamic limitations of this process restrict the power output of a single µPSC. Herein, we demonstrate µPSCs in four different array configurations to enhance power output from these power cells. To this effect, six µPSCs were arrayed in series, parallel, and combinations of series and parallel configurations. Each µPSC was injected with a 2 mL liquid culture of photosynthetic microorganisms (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) in the anode and 2 mL of 25% (w/v) electron acceptor potassium ferricyanide (K₃Fe(CN)₆) in the cathode. The combinations of µPSCs connected in series and parallel generated higher power than the individual series and parallel configurations. The combinations of six µPSCs connected in series and in parallel produced a high power density of 1914 mWm^-2 in the presence of white fluorescent light illumination at 20 µEm^-2s^-1. Furthermore, to realize the array strategy for real-time applications, a 1.7 V/2 mA rating light-emitting diode (LED) was powered by combinations of series and parallel array configurations. The results indicate the reliability of µPSCs to produce electricity from photosynthetic microorganisms for low-power applications. In addition, the results suggest that a combination of microlevel photosynthetic cells in array format represents a powerful optimal design strategy to enhance the power output from µPSCs.

Microfluidic In Vitro Platform for (Nano)Safety and (Nano)Drug Efficiency Screening

Microfluidic technology is a valuable tool for realizing more in vitro models capturing cellular and organ level responses for rapid and animal-free risk assessment of new chemicals and drugs. Microfluidic cell-based devices allow high-throughput screening and flexible automation while lowering costs and reagent consumption due to their miniaturization. There is a growing need for faster and animal-free approaches for drug development and safety assessment of chemicals (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical Substances, REACH). The work presented describes a microfluidic platform for in vivo-like in vitro cell cultivation. It is equipped with a wafer-based silicon chip including integrated electrodes and a microcavity. A proof-of-concept using different relevant cell models shows its suitability for label-free assessment of cytotoxic effects. A miniaturized microscope within each module monitors cell morphology and proliferation. Electrodes integrated in the microfluidic channels allow the noninvasive monitoring of barrier integrity followed by a label-free assessment of cytotoxic effects. Each microfluidic cell cultivation module can be operated individually or be interconnected in a flexible way. The interconnection of the different modules aims at simulation of the whole-body exposure and response and can contribute to the replacement of animal testing in risk assessment studies in compliance with the 3Rs to replace, reduce, and refine animal experiments.

A sub-population of Dictyostelium discoideum cells shows extremely high sensitivity to cAMP for directional migration

The chemotaxis of Dictysotelium discoideum cells in response to a chemical gradient of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) was studied using a newly designed microfluidic device. The device consists of 800 cell-sized channels in parallel, each 4 μm wide, 5 μm high, and 100 μm long, allowing us to prepare the same chemical gradient in all channels and observe the motility of 500-1000 individual cells simultaneously. The percentage of cells that exhibited directed migration was determined for various cAMP concentrations ranging from 0.1 pM to 10 μM. The results show that chemotaxis was highest at 100 nM cAMP, consistent with previous observations. At concentrations as low as 10 pM, about 16% of cells still exhibited chemotaxis, suggesting that the receptor occupancy of only 6 cAMP molecules/cell can induce chemotaxis in very sensitive cells. At 100 pM cAMP, chemotaxis was suppressed due to the self-production and secretion of intracellular cAMP induced by extracellular cAMP. Overall, systematic observations of a large number of individual cells under the same chemical gradients revealed the heterogeneity of chemotaxis responses in a genetically homogeneous cell population, especially the existence of a sub-population with extremely high sensitivity for chemotaxis.

Plasmonic heating-based portable digital PCR system

A miniaturized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system is not only important for medical applications in remote areas of developing countries, but also important for testing at ports of entry during global epidemics, such as the current outbreak of the coronavirus. Although there is a large number of PCR sensor systems available for this purpose, there is still a lack of portable digital PCR (dPCR) heating systems. Here, we first demonstrated a portable plasmonic heating-based dPCR system. The device has total dimensions of 9.7 × 5.6 × 4.1 cm and a total power consumption of 4.5 W, allowing for up to 25 dPCR experiments to be conducted on a single charge of a 20 000 mAh external battery. The dPCR system has a maximum heating rate of 10.7 °C s^-1 and maximum cooling rate of 8 °C s^-1. Target DNA concentrations in the range from 101 ± 1.4 copies per μL to 260 000 ± 20 000 copies per μL could be detected using a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microwell membrane with 22 080 well arrays (20 μm diameter). Furthermore, the heating system was demonstrated using a mass producible poly(methyl methacrylate) PMMA microwell array with 8100 microwell arrays (80 μm diameter). The PMMA microwell array could detect a concentration from 12 ± 0.7 copies per μL to 25 889 ± 737 copies per μL.

Inhibition of the Hedgehog Signaling Pathway Depresses the Cigarette Smoke-Induced Malignant Transformation of 16HBE Cells on a Microfluidic Chip

Background

The hedgehog signaling system (HHS) plays an important role in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation during the embryonic phases. However, little is known about the involvement of HHS in the malignant transformation of cells. This study aimed to detect the role of HHS in the malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial (16HBE) cells.

Methods

In this study, two microfluidic chips were designed to investigate cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced malignant transformation of cells. Chip A contained a concentration gradient generator, while chip B had four cell chambers with a central channel. The 16HBE cells cultured in chip A were used to determine the optimal concentration of CSE for inducing malignant transformation. The 16HBE cells in chip B were cultured with 12.25% CSE (Group A), 12.25% CSE + 5 μmol/L cyclopamine (Group B), or normal complete medium as control for 8 months (Group C), to establish the in vitro lung inflammatory-cancer transformation model. The transformed cells were inoculated into 20 nude mice as cells alone (Group 1) or cells with cyclopamine (Group 2) for tumorigenesis testing. Expression of HHS proteins was detected by Western blot. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. The t-test was used for paired samples, and the difference among groups was analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance.

Results

The optimal concentration of CSE was 12.25%. Expression of HHS proteins increased during the process of malignant transformation (Group B vs. Group A, F = 7.65, P < 0.05). After CSE exposure for 8 months, there were significant changes in cellular morphology, which allowed the transformed cells to grow into tumors in 40 days after being inoculated into nude mice. Cyclopamine could effectively depress the expression of HHS proteins (Group C vs. Group B, F = 6.47, P < 0.05) and prevent tumor growth in nude mice (Group 2 vs. Group 1, t = 31.59, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The activity of HHS is upregulated during the CSE-induced malignant transformation of 16HBE cells. Cyclopamine can effectively depress expression of HHS proteins in vitro and prevent tumor growth of the transformed cells in vivo.

Vorticella: A Protozoan for Bio-Inspired Engineering

In this review, we introduce Vorticella as a model biological micromachine for microscale engineering systems. Vorticella has two motile organelles: the oral cilia of the zooid and the contractile spasmoneme in the stalk. The oral cilia beat periodically, generating a water flow that translates food particles toward the animal at speeds in the order of 0.1–1 mm/s. The ciliary flow of Vorticella has been characterized by experimental measurement and theoretical modeling, and tested for flow control and mixing in microfluidic systems. The spasmoneme contracts in a few milliseconds, coiling the stalk and moving the zooid at 15–90 mm/s. Because the spasmoneme generates tension in the order of 10–100 nN, powered by calcium ion binding, it serves as a model system for biomimetic actuators in microscale engineering systems. The spasmonemal contraction of Vorticella has been characterized by experimental measurement of its dynamics and energetics, and both live and extracted Vorticellae have been tested for moving microscale objects. We describe past work to elucidate the contraction mechanism of the spasmoneme, recognizing that past and continuing efforts will increase the possibilities of using the spasmoneme as a microscale actuator as well as leading towards bioinspired actuators mimicking the spasmoneme.

Remotely Controlled Micromanipulation by Buckling Instabilities in Fe3O4 Nanoparticle Embedded Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Surface Arrays

The micromanipulation of biological samples is important for microbiology, pharmaceutical science, and related bioengineering fields. In this work, we report the fabrication and characterization of surface-attached microbeam arrays of 20 μm width and 25 μm height made of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), a thermoresponsive polymer, with embedded spherical or octopod Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Below 32 °C, the microbeams imbibe water and buckle with an amplitude of approximately 20 μm. Turning on an AC-magnetic field induces the microbeam array to expel water due to the heating effect of the nanoparticles (magnetic hyperthermia), leading to a reversible transition from a buckled to nonbuckled state. It is observed that the octopod nanoparticles have a heating rate 30% greater (specific absorption rate, SAR) than that of the spherical nanoparticles, which shortens the time scale of the transition from the buckled and nonbuckled state. The return of the microbeams to the buckled state is accomplished by turning off the AC magnetic field, the rate of which is dictated by dissipation of heat and is independent of the type of nanoparticle. It is further demonstrated that this transition can be used to propel 50 μm spherical objects along a surface. While the motion is random, this study shows the promise of harnessing shape-shifting patterns in microfluidics for object manipulation.

Bio-syncretic tweezers actuated by microorganisms: modeling and analysis

Advancements in micro-/nano-technology have led to the development of micro-manipulators. However, some challenges remain; for instance, the efficiency, precision and flexibility of micro-manipulators restrain their applications. This paper proposes a bio-tweezer system to flexibly manipulate micro-objects with bio-actuation via local light-induced high-concentration microorganisms in two different manipulation modes: light-spot induced mode and geometric shape-induced mode. Depending on the shape of micro-objects, either 2-dimensional translation or 1-dimensional rotation can be achieved. Based on the Langevin equation, a mathematical model considering both hydrodynamics and mimicked Brownian motion is proposed to analyze the bio-manipulation performance of the microorganisms; the model was validated by experiments to translate micro-particles in a two-dimensional plane and to rotate a micro-gear structure around its axis. This paper will aid in the development of micro-manipulators and the quantitative understanding of micro-/nano-manipulation actuated by microorganisms.

Modeling and analysis of bio-syncretic micro-swimmers for cardiomyocyte-based actuation

Along with sensation and intelligence, actuation is one of the most important factors in the development of conventional robots. Many novel achievements have been made regarding bio-based actuators to solve the challenges of conventional actuation. However, few studies have focused on methods for controlling the movement performance of bio-syncretic robots by designing robotic structures and programming actuation bio-entities. In this paper, a theoretical model was derived considering kinematics and hydromechanics to describe the dynamics of a dolphin-shaped microstructure and to control the bio-syncretic swimmer movement by establishing the relationships between the swimming velocity of the bio-swimmer, the cell seeding concentration and the cell contractility. The proposed theoretical model was then verified with the fabricated biomimetic swimmer prototype actuated by equivalent external magnetism replacing the bio-entity force based on the study of living, beating cardiomyocyte contractility. This work can improve the development of bio-syncretic robots with an approach to preplanning the seeding concentration of cells for controlling the movement velocity of microstructures, and is also meaningful for biomimetic robots, medical treatments and interventional therapy applications.

Free-form Light Actuators - Fabrication and Control of Actuation in Microscopic Scale

Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) are smart materials capable of reversible shape-change in response to external stimuli, and have attracted researchers' attention in many fields. Most of the studies focused on macroscopic LCE structures (films, fibers) and their miniaturization is still in its infancy. Recently developed lithography techniques, e.g., mask exposure and replica molding, only allow for creating 2D structures on LCE thin films. Direct laser writing (DLW) opens access to truly 3D fabrication in the microscopic scale. However, controlling the actuation topology and dynamics at the same length scale remains a challenge.

In this paper we report on a method to control the liquid crystal (LC) molecular alignment in the LCE microstructures of arbitrary three-dimensional shape. This was made possible by a combination of direct laser writing for both the LCE structures as well as for micrograting patterns inducing local LC alignment. Several types of grating patterns were used to introduce different LC alignments, which can be subsequently patterned into the LCE structures. This protocol allows one to obtain LCE microstructures with engineered alignments able to perform multiple opto-mechanical actuation, thus being capable of multiple functionalities. Applications can be foreseen in the fields of tunable photonics, micro-robotics, lab-on-chip technology and others.

The role of motility and chemotaxis in the bacterial colonization of protected surfaces

Internal epithelial surfaces in humans are both oxygenated and physically protected by a few hundred microns thick hydrogel mucosal layer, conditions that might support bacterial aerotaxis. However, the potential role of aerotaxis in crossing such a thin hydrogel layer is not clear. Here, we used a new setup to study the potential role of motility and chemotaxis in the bacterial colonization of surfaces covered by a thin hydrogel layer and subjected to a vertical oxygen gradient. Using the bacterium Escherichia coli, we show that both non-motile and motile-but-non-chemotactic bacteria could barely reach the surface. However, an acquired mutation in the non-chemotactic bacteria that altered their inherent swimming behavior led to a critical enhancement of surface colonization. Most chemotactic strains accumulated within the bulk of the hydrogel layer, except for the MG1655 strain, which showed a unique tendency to accumulate directly at the oxygenated surface and thus exhibited distinctly enhanced colonization. Even after a long period of bacterial growth, non-motile bacteria could not colonize the hydrogel. Thus, switching motility, which can be spontaneously acquired or altered in vivo, is critical for the colonization of such protected surfaces, whereas aerotaxis capacity clearly expedites surface colonization, and can lead to diverse colonization patterns.

Integrated microfluidic platform for instantaneous flow and localized temperature control

We developed an integrated microfluidic platform for instantaneous flow and localized temperature control.

Bio-hybrid cell-based actuators for microsystems

As we move towards the miniaturization of devices to perform tasks at the nano and microscale, it has become increasingly important to develop new methods for actuation, sensing, and control. Over the past decade, bio-hybrid methods have been investigated as a promising new approach to overcome the challenges of scaling down robotic and other functional devices. These methods integrate biological cells with artificial components and therefore, can take advantage of the intrinsic actuation and sensing functionalities of biological cells. Here, the recent advancements in bio-hybrid actuation are reviewed, and the challenges associated with the design, fabrication, and control of bio-hybrid microsystems are discussed. As a case study, focus is put on the development of bacteria-driven microswimmers, which has been investigated as a targeted drug delivery carrier. Finally, a future outlook for the development of these systems is provided. The continued integration of biological and artificial components is envisioned to enable the performance of tasks at a smaller and smaller scale in the future, leading to the parallel and distributed operation of functional systems at the microscale.

Hype and expectations in tissue engineering

Scientific progress and the development of new technologies often incite enthusiasm, both in scientists and the public at large, and this is especially apparent in discussions of emerging medical technologies, such as tissue engineering (TE). Future-oriented narratives typically discuss potential applications with much hype and expectations. In this article, we analyze the discourse on TE, its history and the promises present in the discourse surrounding it. Subsequently, we regard discussions about implantable bioartificial kidneys, and consider the concepts of hype and expectations in TE in general. Finally, we discuss what ethically responsible choices should be made in discussing TE to adequately deal with the scientific reality and public expectations surrounding this technology.

Continual exposure to cigarette smoke extracts induces tumor-like transformation of human nontumor bronchial epithelial cells in a microfluidic chip

INTRODUCTION

Heavy cigarette smoking-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an independent risk factor for lung squamous carcinoma. However, the mechanisms underlying the malignant transformation of bronchial epithelial cells are unclear.

METHODS

In our study, human tumor-adjacent bronchial epithelial cells were obtained from 10 cases with smoking-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung squamous carcinoma and cultured in an established microfluidic chip for continual exposure to cigarette smoke extracts (CSE) to investigate the potential tumor-like transformation and mechanisms. The integrated microfluidic chip included upstream concentration gradient generator and downstream cell culture chambers supplied by flowing medium containing different concentrations of CSE.

RESULTS

Our results showed that continual exposure to low doses of CSE promoted cell proliferation whereas to high doses of CSE triggered cell apoptosis. Continual exposure to CSE promoted reactive oxygen species production in human epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. More importantly, continual exposure to low dose of CSE promoted the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition process and anchorage-independent growth, and increased chromosome instability in bronchial epithelial cells, accompanied by activating the GRP78, NF-κB, and PI3K pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

The established microfluidic chip is suitable for primary culture of human tumor-adjacent bronchial epithelial cells to investigate the malignant transformation. Continual exposure to low doses of CSE promoted tumor-like transformation of human nontumor bronchial epithelial cells by inducing reactive oxygen species production and activating the relevant signaling.

On-chip detection of cellular activity

The use of on-chip cellular activity monitoring for biological/chemical sensing is promising for environmental, medical and pharmaceutical applications. The miniaturization revolution in microelectronics is harnessed to provide on-chip detection of cellular activity, opening new horizons for miniature, fast, low cost and portable screening and monitoring devices. In this chapter we survey different on-chip cellular activity detection technologies based on electrochemical, bio-impedance and optical detection. Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell-on-chip technologies are mentioned and reviewed.

Utilization and control of bioactuators across multiple length scales

In this review, we summarize the recent developments in the emerging field of bioactuators across a multitude of length scales. First, we discuss the use and control of biomolecules as nanoscale actuators. Molecular motors, such as DNA, kinesin, myosin, and F1-ATPase, have been shown to exert forces in the range between 1 pN to 45 pN. Second, we discuss the use and control of single and small clusters of cells to power microscale devices. Microorganisms, such as flagellated bacteria, protozoa, and algae, can naturally swim at speeds between 20 μm s(-1) to 2 mm s(-1) and produce thrust forces between 0.3 pN to 200 pN. Individual and clustered mammalian cells, such as cardiac and skeletal cells, can produce even higher contractile forces between 80 nN to 3.5 μN. Finally, we discuss the use and control of 2D- and 3D-assembled muscle tissues and muscle tissue explants as bioactuators to power devices. Depending on the size, composition, and organization of these hierarchical tissue constructs, contractile forces have been demonstrated to produce between 25 μN to 1.18 mN.

Super-resolution nonlinear photothermal microscopy

Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy enables imaging of fluorescent structures beyond the diffraction limit. However, this technique cannot be applied to weakly fluorescent cellular components or labels. As an alternative, photothermal microscopy based on nonradiative transformation of absorbed energy into heat has demonstrated imaging of nonfluorescent structures including single molecules and ~1-nm gold nanoparticles. However, previously photothermal imaging has been performed with a diffraction-limited resolution only. Herein, super-resolution, far-field photothermal microscopy based on nonlinear signal dependence on the laser energy is introduced. Among various nonlinear phenomena, including absorption saturation, multiphoton absorption, and signal temperature dependence, signal amplification by laser-induced nanobubbles around overheated nano-objects is explored. A Gaussian laser beam profile is used to demonstrate the image spatial sharpening for calibrated 260-nm metal strips, resolving of a plasmonic nanoassembly, visualization of 10-nm gold nanoparticles in graphene, and hemoglobin nanoclusters in live erythrocytes with resolution down to 50 nm. These nonlinear phenomena can be used for 3D imaging with improved lateral and axial resolution in most photothermal methods, including photoacoustic microscopy.

Atmospheric-operable bioactuator powered by insect muscle packaged with medium

Despite attempts in a number of studies to utilize muscle tissue and cells as microactuators, all of the biohybrid microdevices have been operable only in the culture medium and none have worked in air due to the dry environment. This paper demonstrates an atmospheric-operable bioactuator (AOB) fabricated by packaging an insect dorsal vessel (DV) tissue with a small amount of culture medium inside a capsule. The AOB, consisting of microtweezers and the capsule, was designed based on a structural simulation that took into account the capillary effect. The base part of the microtweezers was deformed by spontaneous contractions of the DV tissue in the medium inside the capsule, by which the front edges of the microtweezer arms projecting above the medium surface were also deformed. First, we confirmed in the medium that the DV tissue was able to reduce the gap between the arm tips of the microtweezers. After taking the AOB out of the medium, as we expected, the AOB continued to work in air at room temperature. The gap reduction in air became larger than the one in the medium due to a surface tension effect, which was consistent with the simulation findings on the surface tension by the phase-field method. Second, we demonstrated that the AOB deformed a thin-wall ring placed between its tips in air. Third, we measured the lifetime of the AOB. The AOB kept working for around 40 minutes in air, but eventually stopped due to medium evaporation. As the evaporation progressed, the microtweezers were pressed onto the capsule wall by the surface tension and opening and closing stopped. Finally, we attempted to prevent the medium from evaporating by pouring liquid paraffin (l-paraffin) over the medium after lipophilic coating of the capsule. As a result, we succeeded in prolonging the AOB lifetime to more than five days. In this study, we demonstrated the significant potential of insect muscle tissue and cells as a bioactuator in air and at room temperature. By integrating insect tissue and cells not only into a microspace but also onto a substrate, we expect to realize a biohybrid MEMS device with various functions in the near future.

Engineered skeletal muscle tissue for soft robotics: fabrication strategies, current applications, and future challenges

Skeletal muscle is a scalable actuator system used throughout nature from the millimeter to meter length scales and over a wide range of frequencies and force regimes. This adaptability has spurred interest in using engineered skeletal muscle to power soft robotics devices and in biotechnology and medical applications. However, the challenges to doing this are similar to those facing the tissue engineering and regenerative medicine fields; specifically, how do we translate our understanding of myogenesis in vivo to the engineering of muscle constructs in vitro to achieve functional integration with devices. To do this researchers are developing a number of ways to engineer the cellular microenvironment to guide skeletal muscle tissue formation. This includes understanding the role of substrate stiffness and the mechanical environment, engineering the spatial organization of biochemical and physical cues to guide muscle alignment, and developing bioreactors for mechanical and electrical conditioning. Examples of engineered skeletal muscle that can potentially be used in soft robotics include 2D cantilever-based skeletal muscle actuators and 3D skeletal muscle tissues engineered using scaffolds or directed self-organization. Integration into devices has led to basic muscle-powered devices such as grippers and pumps as well as more sophisticated muscle-powered soft robots that walk and swim. Looking forward, current, and future challenges include identifying the best source of muscle precursor cells to expand and differentiate into myotubes, replacing cardiomyocytes with skeletal muscle tissue as the bio-actuator of choice for soft robots, and vascularization and innervation to enable control and nourishment of larger muscle tissue constructs.

Monolithically integrated biophotonic lab-on-a-chip for cell culture and simultaneous pH monitoring

A poly(dimethylsiloxane) biophotonic lab-on-a-chip (bioPhLoC) containing two chambers, an incubation chamber and a monitoring chamber for cell retention/proliferation and pH monitoring, respectively, is presented. The bioPhLoC monolithically integrates a filter with 3 μm high size-exclusion microchannels, capable of efficiently trapping cells in the incubation chamber, as well as optical elements for real-time interrogation of both chambers. The integrated optical elements made possible both absorption and dispersion measurements, which were comparable to those made in a commercially available cuvette. The size-exclusion filter also showed good and stable trapping capacity when using yeast cells of variable size (between 5 and 8 μm diameter). For cell culture applications, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), with sizes between 8 and 10 μm diameter, were used as a mammalian cell model. These cells were efficiently trapped in the incubation chamber, where they proliferated with a classical spindle-shaped morphology and a traditional hill-and-valley phenotype. During cell proliferation, pH changes in the culture medium due to cell metabolism were monitored in real time and with high precision in the monitoring chamber without interference of the measurement by cells and other (cell) debris.

Towards a richer debate on tissue engineering: a consideration on the basis of NEST-ethics

In their 2007 paper, Swierstra and Rip identify characteristic tropes and patterns of moral argumentation in the debate about the ethics of new and emerging science and technologies (or "NEST-ethics"). Taking their NEST-ethics structure as a starting point, we considered the debate about tissue engineering (TE), and argue what aspects we think ought to be a part of a rich and high-quality debate of TE. The debate surrounding TE seems to be predominantly a debate among experts. When considering the NEST-ethics arguments that deal directly with technology, we can generally conclude that consequentialist arguments are by far the most prominently featured in discussions of TE. In addition, many papers discuss principles, rights and duties relevant to aspects of TE, both in a positive and in a critical sense. Justice arguments are only sporadically made, some "good life" arguments are used, others less so (such as the explicit articulation of perceived limits, or the technology as a technological fix for a social problem). Missing topics in the discussion, at least from the perspective of NEST-ethics, are second "level" arguments-those referring to techno-moral change connected to tissue engineering. Currently, the discussion about tissue engineering mostly focuses on its so-called "hard impacts"-quantifiable risks and benefits of the technology. Its "soft impacts"-effects that cannot easily be quantified, such as changes to experience, habits and perceptions, should receive more attention.

Study on invadopodia formation for lung carcinoma invasion with a microfluidic 3D culture device

Invadopodia or invasive feet, which are actin-rich membrane protrusions with matrix degradation activity formed by invasive cancer cells, are a key determinant in the malignant invasive progression of tumors and represent an important target for cancer therapies. In this work, we presented a microfluidic 3D culture device with continuous supplement of fresh media via a syringe pump. The device mimicked tumor microenvironment in vivo and could be used to assay invadopodia formation and to study the mechanism of human lung cancer invasion. With this device, we investigated the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor, GM6001 on invadopodia formation by human non-small cell lung cancer cell line A549 in 3D matrix model. This device was composed of three units that were capable of achieving the assays on one control group and two experimental groups' cells, which were simultaneously pretreated with EGF or GM6001 in parallel. Immunofluorescence analysis of invadopodia formation and extracellular matrix degradation was conducted using confocal imaging system. We observed that EGF promoted invadopodia formation by A549 cells in 3D matrix and that GM6001 inhibited the process. These results demonstrated that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling played a significant role in invadopodia formation and related ECM degradation activity. Meanwhile, it was suggested that MMP inhibitor (GM6001) might be a powerful therapeutic agent targeting invadopodia formation in tumor invasion. This work clearly demonstrated that the microfluidic-based 3D culture device provided an applicable platform for elucidating the mechanism of cancer invasion and could be used in testing other anti-invasion agents.

Simultaneous immunoassay analysis of plasma IL-6 and TNF-α on a microchip

Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) using a 96-well plate is frequently employed for clinical diagnosis, but is time-and sample-consuming. To overcome these drawbacks, we performed a sandwich ELISA on a microchip. The microchip was made of cyclic olefin copolymer with 4 straight microchannels. For the construction of the sandwich ELISA for interleukin-6 (IL-6) or tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), we used a piezoelectric inkjet printing system for the deposition and fixation of the 1st anti-IL-6 antibody or 1st anti-TNF-α antibody on the surface of the each microchannel. After the infusion of 2 µl of sample to the microchannel and a 20 min incubation, 2 µl of biotinylated 2nd antibody for either antigen was infused and a 10 min incubation. Then 2 µl of avidin-horseradish peroxidase was infused; and after a 5 min incubation, the substrate for peroxidase was infused, and the luminescence intensity was measured. Calibration curves were obtained between the concentration and luminescence intensity over the range of 0 to 32 pg/ml (IL-6: R² = 0.9994, TNF-α: R² = 0.9977), and the detection limit for each protein was 0.28 pg/ml and 0.46 pg/ml, respectively. Blood IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations of 5 subjects estimated from the microchip data were compared with results obtained by the conventional method, good correlations were observed between the methods according to linear regression analysis (IL-6: R² = 0.9954, TNF-α: R² = 0.9928). The reproducibility of the presented assay for the determination of the blood IL-6 and TNF-α concentration was comparable to that obtained with the 96-well plate. Simultaneous detection of blood IL-6 and TNF-α was possible by the deposition and fixation of each 1st antibody on the surface of a separate microchannel. This assay enabled us to determine simultaneously blood IL-6 and TNF-α with accuracy, satisfactory sensitivity, time saving ability, and low consumption of sample and reagents, and will be applicable to clinic diagnosis.

Selective cell capture and analysis using shallow antibody-coated microchannels

Demand for analysis of rare cells such as circulating tumor cells in blood at the single molecule level has recently grown. For this purpose, several cell separation methods based on antibody-coated micropillars have been developed (e.g., Nagrath et al., Nature 450, 1235-1239 (2007)). However, it is difficult to ensure capture of targeted cells by these methods because capture depends on the probability of cell-micropillar collisions. We developed a new structure that actively exploits cellular flexibility for more efficient capture of a small number of cells in a target area. The depth of the sandwiching channel was slightly smaller than the diameter of the cells to ensure contact with the channel wall. For cell selection, we used anti-epithelial cell adhesion molecule antibodies, which specifically bind epithelial cells. First, we demonstrated cell capture with human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells, which are relatively homogeneous in size; in situ single molecule analysis was verified by our rolling circle amplification (RCA) method. Then, we used breast cancer cells (SK-BR-3) in blood, and demonstrated selective capture and cancer marker (HER2) detection by RCA. Cell capture by antibody-coated microchannels was greater than with negative control cells (RPMI-1788 lymphocytes) and non-coated microchannels. This system can be used to analyze small numbers of target cells in large quantities of mixed samples.

A new cell-selective three-dimensional microincubator based on silicon photonic crystals

In this work, we show that vertical, high aspect-ratio (HAR) photonic crystals (PhCs), consisting of periodic arrays of 5 µm wide gaps with depth of 50 µm separated by 3 µm thick silicon walls, fabricated by electrochemical micromachining, can be used as three-dimensional microincubators, allowing cell lines to be selectively grown into the gaps. Silicon micromachined dice incorporating regions with different surface profiles, namely flat silicon and deeply etched PhC, were used as microincubators for culturing adherent cell lines with different morphology and adhesion properties. We extensively investigated and compared the proliferative behavior on HAR PhCs of eight human cell models, with different origins, such as the epithelial (SW613-B3; HeLa; SW480; HCT116; HT29) and the mesenchymal (MRC-5V1; CF; HT1080). We also verified the contribution of cell sedimentation into the silicon gaps. Fluorescence microscopy analysis highlights that only cell lines that exhibit, in the tested culture condition, the behavior typical of the mesenchymal phenotype are able to penetrate into the gaps of the PhC, extending their body deeply in the narrow gaps between adjacent silicon walls, and to grow adherent to the vertical surfaces of silicon. Results reported in this work, confirmed in various experiments, strongly support our statement that such three-dimensional microstructures have selection capabilities with regard to the cell lines that can actively populate the narrow gaps. Cells with a mesenchymal phenotype could be exploited in the next future as bioreceptors, in combination with HAR PhC optical transducers, e.g., for label-free optical detection of cellular activities involving changes in cell adhesion and/or morphology (e.g., apoptosis) in a three-dimensional microenvironment.

Microfluidic approaches for cancer cell detection, characterization, and separation

This article reviews the recent developments in microfluidic technologies for in vitro cancer diagnosis. We summarize the working principles and experimental results of key microfluidic platforms for cancer cell detection, characterization, and separation based on cell-affinity micro-chromatography, magnetic activated micro-sorting, and cellular biophysics (e.g., cell size and mechanical and electrical properties). We examine the advantages and limitations of each technique and discuss future research opportunities for improving device throughput and purity, and for enabling on-chip analysis of captured cancer cells.

Detection of expressed gene in isolated single cells in microchambers by a novel hot cell-direct RT-PCR method

In order to be able to detect the expression of a gene in individual cells, the ability to isolate and lyse a single cell and to perform reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in one device is important. As is common, when performing cell lysis and RT-PCR in the same reaction chamber, it is necessary to add the reagent for RT-PCR after cell lysis. In this study, we propose an original formula for cell lysis and RT-PCR in the same reaction chamber without the addition of reagent by only a heat process, which we termed hot cell-direct RT-PCR. Hot cell-direct RT-PCR was enabled by using Tth DNA polymerase, which is a thermostable polymerase and has high reverse transcription activity in the presence of manganese ions. Direct detection of RT-PCR products was performed by detecting fluorescence with the use of a double-dye fluorescent probe. We attempted to detect the mRNA of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene in isolated Jurkat cells on a microfluidic device, which we had already developed for single cell isolation. After cell isolation and successive hot cell-direct RT-PCR on the device, fluorescent signals from RT-PCR products for a single cell were detected and differentiated from the chamber containing no cells. A highly positive linear relationship (r = 0.9933) was observed between the number of chambers containing cell(s) and those containing RT-PCR products from 10 to 400 cells μL(-1). Thus it was possible to use the novel hot cell-direct RT-PCR method to detect the expressed gene in isolated cells.

Non-positional cell microarray prepared by shape-coded polymeric microboards: A new microarray format for multiplex and high throughput cell-based assays

A non-positional (or suspension) cell microarray was developed using shape-coded SU-8 photoresist microboards for potential application in multiplex and high-throughput cell-based assays. A conventional photolithography process on glass slides produced various shapes of SU-8 micropatterns that had a lateral dimension of 200 μm and a thickness of 40 μm. The resultant micropatterns were detached from the slides by sonication and named "microboards" due to the fact that had a much larger lateral dimension than thickness. The surfaces of the SU-8 microboards were modified with collagen to promote cell adhesion, and it was confirmed that collagen-coated SU-8 microboards supported cell adhesion and proliferation. Seeding of cells into poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG) hydrogel-coated well plates containing collagen-modified microboards resulted in selective cell adhesion onto the microboards due to the non-adhesiveness of PEG hydrogel toward cells, thereby creating non-positional arrays of microboards carrying cells. Finally, two different cell types (fibroblasts and HeLa cells) were separately cultured on different shapes of microboards and subsequently mixed together to create a non-positional cell microarray consisting of multiple cell types where each cell could be easily identified by the shape of the microboard to which they had adhered. Because numerous unique shapes of microboards can be fabricated using this method by simply changing the photomask designs, high throughput and multiplex cell-based assays would be easily achieved with this system in the future.

A multi-channel bioluminescent bacterial biosensor for the on-line detection of metals and toxicity. Part II: technical development and proof of concept of the biosensor

This research study deals with the on-line detection of heavy metals and toxicity within the context of environmental pollution monitoring. It describes the construction and the proof of concept of a multi-channel bioluminescent bacterial biosensor in immobilized phase: Lumisens3. This new versatile device, designed for the non-stop analysis of water pollution, enables the insertion of any bioluminescent strains (inducible or constitutive), immobilized in a multi-well removable card. The technical design of Lumisens3 has benefited from both a classical and a robust approach and includes four main parts: (1) a dedicated removable card contains 64 wells, 3 mm in depth, arranged in eight grooves within which bacteria are immobilized, (2) this card is incubated on a Pelletier block with a CCD cooled camera on top for bioluminescence monitoring, (3) a fluidic network feeds the card with the sample to be analyzed and finally (4) a dedicated computer interface, BIOLUX 1.0, controls all the elements of the biosensor, allowing it to operate autonomously. The proof of concept of this biosensor was performed using a set of four bioluminescent bacteria (Escherichia coli DH1 pBzntlux, pBarslux, pBcoplux, and E. coli XL1 pBfiluxCDABE) in the online detection of CdCl(2) 0.5 μM and As(2)O(3) 5 μM from an influent. When considering metals individually, the "fingerprints" from the biosensor were as expected. However, when metals were mixed together, cross reaction and synergistic effects were detected. This biosensor allowed us to demonstrate the simultaneous on-line cross detection of one or several heavy metals as well as the measurement of the overall toxicity of the sample.

Quantitative analysis of serum procollagen type I C-terminal propeptide by immunoassay on microchip

Background

Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is one of the most frequently employed assays for clinical diagnosis, since this enables the investigator to identify specific protein biomarkers. However, the conventional assay using a 96-well microtitration plate is time- and sample-consuming, and therefore is not suitable for rapid diagnosis. To overcome these drawbacks, we performed a sandwich ELISA on a microchip.

Methods and Findings

The microchip was made of cyclic olefin copolymer with straight microchannels that were 300 µm wide and 100 µm deep. For the construction of a sandwich ELISA for procollagen type I C-peptide (PICP), a biomarker for bone formation, we used a piezoelectric inkjet printing system for the deposition and fixation of the 1st anti-PICP antibody on the surface of the microchannel. After the infusion of the mixture of 2.0 µl of peroxidase-labeled 2nd anti-PICP antibody and 0.4 µl of sample to the microchannel and a 30-min incubation, the substrate for peroxidase was infused into the microchannel; and the luminescence intensity of each spot of 1st antibody was measured by CCD camera. A linear relationship was observed between PICP concentration and luminescence intensity over the range of 0 to 600 ng/ml (r² = 0.991), and the detection limit was 4.7 ng/ml. Blood PICP concentrations of 6 subjects estimated from microchip were compared with results obtained by the conventional method. Good correlation was observed between methods according to simple linear regression analysis (R² = 0.9914). The within-day and between-days reproducibilities were 3.2–7.4 and 4.4–6.8%, respectively. This assay reduced the time for the antigen-antibody reaction to 1/6, and the consumption of samples and reagents to 1/50 compared with the conventional method.

Conclusion

This assay enabled us to determine serum PICP with accuracy, high sensitivity, time saving ability, and low consumption of sample and reagents, and thus will be applicable to clinic diagnosis.

"One cell-one well": a new approach to inkjet printing single cell microarrays

A new approach to prepare arrays of sessile droplets of living single cell cultures using a liquid hydrophobic barrier prevents the samples from dehydrating, and allows for spatially addressable arrays for statistical quantitative single cell studies. By carefully advancing a thin layer of mineral oil on the substrate over the droplets during the printing, dehydration of the droplets can be prevented, and the vitality of the cells can be maintained. The net result of this confluence of submerged cell culturing and inkjet printing is facile access to spatially addressable arrays of isolated single cells on surfaces. Such single cell arrays may be particularly useful as high-throughput tools in the rapidly emerging "omics" fields of cell biology.

Ultrasharp nonlinear photothermal and photoacoustic resonances and holes beyond the spectral limit

High-resolution nonlinear laser spectroscopy based on absorption saturation, Lamb-dip and spectral hole-burning phenomena have contributed much to basic and applied photonics. Here, a laser spectroscopy based on nonlinear photothermal and photoacoustic phenomena is presented. It shows ultrasharp resonances and dips up to a few nanometres wide in broad plasmonic spectra of nanoparticles. It also demonstrates narrowing of absorption spectra of dyes and chromophores, as well as an increase in the sensitivity and resolution of the spectral hole-burning technique. This approach can permit the study of laser-nanoparticle interactions at a level of resolution beyond the spectral limits, identification of weakly absorbing spectral holes, spectral optimization of photothermal nanotherapy, measurements of tiny red and blue plasmon resonance shifts, multispectral imaging and multicolour cytometry.

Interfacing living unicellular algae cells with biocompatible polyelectrolyte-stabilised magnetic nanoparticles

Green algae are a promising platform for the development of biosensors and bioelectronic devices. Here we report a reliable single-step technique for the functionalisation of living unicellular green algae Chlorella pyrenoidosa with biocompatible 15 nm superparamagnetic nanoparticles stabilised with poly(allylamine hydrochloride). The magnetised algae cells can be manipulated and immobilised using external permanent magnets. The distribution of the nanoparticles on the cell walls of C. pyrenoidosa was studied by optical and fluorescence microscopy, TEM, SEM and EDX spectroscopy. The viability and the magnetic properties of the magnetised algae are studied in comparison with the native cells. The technique may find a number of potential applications in biotechnology and bioelectronics.