1
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Yan S, Regenstein JM, Zhang S, Huang Y, Qi B, Li Y. Edible particle-stabilized water-in-water emulsions: Stabilization mechanisms, particle types, interfacial design, and practical applications. Food Hydrocoll 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2023.108665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
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2
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Liu C, Tong YW. Interfacial Polyelectrolyte Complexation-Inspired Bioprinting of Vascular Constructs. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:20712-20725. [PMID: 37071430 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c01199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Bioprinting is a precise layer-by-layer manufacturing technology utilizing biomaterials, cells, and sometimes growth factors for the fabrication of customized three-dimensional (3D) biological constructs. In recent years, it has gained considerable interest in various biomedical studies. However, the translational application of bioprinting is currently impeded by the lack in efficient techniques for blood vessel fabrications. In this report, by systematically studying the previously reported phenomenon, interfacial polyelectrolyte complexation, an efficient blood vessel bioprinting technique based on the phenomenon, was proposed and subsequently investigated. In this technique, anionic hyaluronate and cationic lysine-based peptide amphiphiles were placed concentrically to bioprint with human umbilical endothelial cells for the fabrication of biological tubular constructs. These constructs demonstrated clear vascular features, which made them highly resemble blood vessels. In addition, to optimize the bioactivity of the printed constructs, this report also, for the first time, studied peptide sequencing's effect on the biocompatibility of the polyelectrolyte-peptide amphiphile complex. All these studies conducted in the report are highly relevant and interesting for research in vascular structure fabrication, which will eventually be beneficial for translational application development of bioprinting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chixuan Liu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore 117585
| | - Yen Wah Tong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore 117585
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3
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Jiang Z, Zhao S, Fan Z, Zhao C, Zhang L, Liu D, Bao Y, Zheng J. A novel all-natural (collagen+pectin)/chitosan aqueous two-phase microcapsule with improved anthocyanin loading capacity. Food Hydrocoll 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2022.107984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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4
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Mendez-Ortiz W, Stebe KJ, Lee D. Ionic Strength-Dependent Assembly of Polyelectrolyte-Nanoparticle Membranes via Interfacial Complexation at a Water-Water Interface. ACS NANO 2022; 16:21087-21097. [PMID: 36449948 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c08916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Complexation between oppositely charged nanoparticles (NPs) and polyelectrolytes (PEs) is a scalable approach to assemble functional, stimuli-responsive membranes. Complexation at interfaces of aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) has emerged as a powerful method to assemble these functional structures. Membranes formed at these interfaces can grow continuously to thicknesses approaching several millimeters and display a high degree of tunability via modification of solution properties such as ionic strength. To identify the membrane assembly mechanism, we study interfacial assembly in a prototypical dextran/PEG ATPS, in which silica (SiO2) NPs suspended in the PEG phase undergo interfacial complexation with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) supplied in the dextran phase. Using a microfluidic device that facilitates sequential insertion of fluorescent and nonfluorescent PDADMAC, we observe a transition in the membrane growth mechanism with ionic strength. In the absence of added salt ([NaCl] = 0 mM) PDADMAC chains permeate through the existing membrane to complex with NPs on the PEG side of the membrane, leading to the formation of well-stratified structures. At elevated ionic strength ([NaCl] = 500 mM), this permeation mechanism is lost. Rather, the complexing species incorporate uniformly across the membrane. We attribute this transition to a rapid exchange of PE-counterion, NP-counterion, and PE/NP binding sites facilitated by an increase in extrinsically compensated charged groups on the NPs and PEs at high salinity. These PDADMAC/SiO2 NP membranes have tremendous potential for the formation of functional membranes, offering control over the internal structure and serving as an ideal system for the generation of targeted release systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilfredo Mendez-Ortiz
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Kathleen J Stebe
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Daeyeon Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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5
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Jeyhani M, Navi M, Chan KWY, Kieda J, Tsai SSH. Water-in-water droplet microfluidics: A design manual. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2022; 16:061503. [PMID: 36406338 PMCID: PMC9674389 DOI: 10.1063/5.0119316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Droplet microfluidics is utilized in a wide range of applications in biomedicine and biology. Applications include rapid biochemical analysis, materials generation, biochemical assays, and point-of-care medicine. The integration of aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) into droplet microfluidic platforms has potential utility in oil-free biological and biomedical applications, namely, reducing cytotoxicity and preserving the native form and function of costly biomolecular reagents. In this review, we present a design manual for the chemist, biologist, and engineer to design experiments in the context of their biological applications using all-in-water droplet microfluidic systems. We describe the studies achievable using these systems and the corresponding fabrication and stabilization methods. With this information, readers may apply the fundamental principles and recent advancements in ATPS droplet microfluidics to their research. Finally, we propose a development roadmap of opportunities to utilize ATPS droplet microfluidics in applications that remain underexplored.
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6
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Wang H, Zhao J, Li Y, Cao Y, Zhu Z, Wang M, Zhang R, Pan F, Jiang Z. Aqueous Two-Phase Interfacial Assembly of COF Membranes for Water Desalination. NANO-MICRO LETTERS 2022; 14:216. [PMID: 36352333 PMCID: PMC9646690 DOI: 10.1007/s40820-022-00968-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Aqueous two-phase system features with ultralow interfacial tension and thick interfacial region, affording unique confined space for membrane assembly. Here, for the first time, an aqueous two-phase interfacial assembly method is proposed to fabricate covalent organic framework (COF) membranes. The aqueous solution containing polyethylene glycol and dextran undergoes segregated phase separation into two water-rich phases. By respectively distributing aldehyde and amine monomers into two aqueous phases, a series of COF membranes are fabricated at water-water interface. The resultant membranes exhibit high NaCl rejection of 93.0-93.6% and water permeance reaching 1.7-3.7 L m-2 h-1 bar-1, superior to most water desalination membranes. Interestingly, the interfacial tension is found to have pronounced effect on membrane structures. The appropriate interfacial tension range (0.1-1.0 mN m-1) leads to the tight and intact COF membranes. Furthermore, the method is extended to the fabrication of other COF and metal-organic polymer membranes. This work is the first exploitation of fabricating membranes in all-aqueous system, confering a green and generic method for advanced membrane manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjian Wang
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin, 300192, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiashuai Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin, 300192, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Chemistry, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Cao
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin, 300192, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziting Zhu
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin, 300192, People's Republic of China
| | - Meidi Wang
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin, 300192, People's Republic of China
| | - Runnan Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin, 300192, People's Republic of China
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University Binhai New City, Fuzhou, 350207, People's Republic of China
| | - Fusheng Pan
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China.
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin, 300192, People's Republic of China.
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University Binhai New City, Fuzhou, 350207, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhongyi Jiang
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China.
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin, 300192, People's Republic of China.
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University Binhai New City, Fuzhou, 350207, People's Republic of China.
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7
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Aqueous two-phase emulsions toward biologically relevant applications. TRENDS IN CHEMISTRY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trechm.2022.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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8
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Daradmare S, Lee CS. Recent progress in the synthesis of all-aqueous two-phase droplets using microfluidic approaches. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2022; 219:112795. [PMID: 36049253 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
An aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) is a system with liquid-liquid phase separation and shows great potential for the extraction, separation, purification, and enrichment of proteins, membranes, viruses, enzymes, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules because of its simplicity, biocompatibility, and wide applicability [1-4]. The clear aqueous-aqueous interface of ATPSs is highly advantageous for their implementation, therefore making ATPSs a green alternative approach to replace conventional emulsion systems, such as water-in-oil droplets. All aqueous emulsions (water-in-water, w-in-w) hold great promise in the biomedical field as glucose sensors [5] and promising carriers for the encapsulation and release of various biomolecules and nonbiomolecules [6-10]. However, the ultralow interfacial tension between the two phases is a hurdle in generating w-in-w emulsion droplets. In the past, bulk emulsification and electrospray techniques were employed for the generation of w-in-w emulsion droplets and the fabrication of microparticles and microcapsules in the later stage. Bulk emulsification is a simple and low-cost technique; however, it generates polydisperse w-in-w emulsion droplets. Another technique, electrospray, involves easy experimental setups that can generate monodisperse but nonspherical w-in-w emulsion droplets. In comparison, microfluidic platforms provide monodisperse w-in-w emulsion droplets with spherical shapes, deal with the small volumes of solutions and short reaction times and achieve portability and versatility in their design through rapid prototyping. Owing to several advantages, microfluidic approaches have recently been introduced. To date, several different strategies have been explored to generate w-in-w emulsions and multiple w-in-w emulsions and to fabricate microparticles and microcapsules using conventional microfluidic devices. Although a few review articles on ATPSs emulsions have been published in the past, to date, few reviews have exclusively focused on the evolution of microfluidic-based ATPS droplets. The present review begins with a brief discussion of the history of ATPSs and their fundamentals, which is followed by an account chronicling the integration of microfluidic devices with ATPSs to generate w-in-w emulsion droplets. Furthermore, the stabilization strategies of w-in-w emulsion droplets and microfluidic fabrication of microparticles and microcapsules for modern applications, such as biomolecule encapsulation and spheroid construction, are discussed in detail in this review. We believe that the present review will provide useful information to not only new entrants in the microfluidic community wanting to appreciate the findings of the field but also existing researchers wanting to keep themselves updated on progress in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sneha Daradmare
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Soo Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea.
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9
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Duraivel S, Subramaniam V, Chisolm S, Scheutz GM, Sumerlin BS, Bhattacharjee T, Angelini TE. Leveraging ultra-low interfacial tension and liquid-liquid phase separation in embedded 3D bioprinting. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2022; 3:031307. [PMID: 38505275 PMCID: PMC10903370 DOI: 10.1063/5.0087387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Many recently developed 3D bioprinting strategies operate by extruding aqueous biopolymer solutions directly into a variety of different support materials constituted from swollen, solvated, aqueous, polymer assemblies. In developing these 3D printing methods and materials, great care is often taken to tune the rheological behaviors of both inks and 3D support media. By contrast, much less attention has been given to the physics of the interfaces created when structuring one polymer phase into another in embedded 3D printing applications. For example, it is currently unclear whether a dynamic interfacial tension between miscible phases stabilizes embedded 3D bioprinted structures as they are shaped while in a liquid state. Interest in the physics of interfaces between complex fluids has grown dramatically since the discovery of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in living cells. We believe that many new insights coming from this burst of investigation into LLPS within biological contexts can be leveraged to develop new materials and methods for improved 3D bioprinting that leverage LLPS in mixtures of biopolymers, biocompatible synthetic polymers, and proteins. Thus, in this review article, we highlight work at the interface between recent LLPS research and embedded 3D bioprinting methods and materials, and we introduce a 3D bioprinting method that leverages LLPS to stabilize printed biopolymer inks embedded in a bioprinting support material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senthilkumar Duraivel
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA
| | - Vignesh Subramaniam
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA
| | - Steven Chisolm
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA
| | - Georg M. Scheutz
- George & Josephine Butler Polymer Research Laboratory, Center for Macromolecular Science & Engineering, Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA
| | - Brent. S. Sumerlin
- George & Josephine Butler Polymer Research Laboratory, Center for Macromolecular Science & Engineering, Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA
| | - Tapomoy Bhattacharjee
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bellary Road, Bangalore 560065, Karnataka, India
| | - Thomas E. Angelini
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA
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10
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Gonçalves RC, Vilabril S, Neves CMSS, Freire MG, Coutinho JAP, Oliveira MB, Mano JF. All-Aqueous Freeform Fabrication of Perfusable Self-Standing Soft Compartments. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2200352. [PMID: 35695028 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202200352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Compartmentalized structures obtained in all-aqueous settings have shown promising properties as cell encapsulation devices, as well as reactors for trans-membrane chemical reactions. While most approaches focus on the preparation of spherical devices, advances on the production of complex architectures have been enabled by the interfacial stability conferred by emulsion systems, namely mild aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS), or non-equilibrated analogues. However, the application of non-spherical structures has mostly been reported while keeping the fabricated materials at a stable interface, limiting the free-standing character, mobility and transposition of the obtained structures to different setups. Here, the fabrication of self-standing, malleable and perfusable tubular systems through all-aqueous interfacial assembly is shown, culminating in the preparation of independent objects with stability and homogeneity after disruption of the polymer-based aqueous separating system. Those hollow structures can be fabricated with a variety of widths, and rapidly printed as long structures at flow rates of 15 mm s-1 . The materials are used as compartments for cell culture, showcasing high cytocompatibility, and can be tailored to promote cell adhesion. Such structures may find application in fields that benefit from freeform tubular structures, including the biomedical field with, for example, cell encapsulation, and benchtop preparation of microfluidic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel C Gonçalves
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Sara Vilabril
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Catarina M S S Neves
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Mara G Freire
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
| | - João A P Coutinho
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Mariana B Oliveira
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
| | - João F Mano
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
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11
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Wei D, Jin H, Ge L, Nie G, Guo R. Construction and regulation of aqueous-based Cerberus droplets by vortex mixing. J Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 627:194-204. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.06.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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12
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Zhou C, Zhu P, Tian Y, Shi R, Wang L. Progress in all-aqueous droplets generation with microfluidics: Mechanisms of formation and stability improvements. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2022; 3:021301. [PMID: 38505416 PMCID: PMC10914135 DOI: 10.1063/5.0054201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
All-aqueous systems have attracted intensive attention as a promising platform for applications in cell separation, protein partitioning, and DNA extraction, due to their selective separation capability, rapid mass transfer, and good biocompatibility. Reliable generation of all-aqueous droplets with accurate control over their size and size distribution is vital to meet the increasingly growing demands in emulsion-based applications. However, the ultra-low interfacial tension and large effective interfacial thickness of the water-water interface pose challenges for the generation and stabilization of uniform all-aqueous droplets, respectively. Microfluidics technology has emerged as a versatile platform for the precision generation of all-aqueous droplets with improved stability. This review aims to systematize the controllable generation of all-aqueous droplets and summarize various strategies to improve their stability with microfluidics. We first provide a comprehensive review on the recent progress of all-aqueous droplets generation with microfluidics by detailing the properties of all-aqueous systems, mechanisms of droplet formation, active and passive methods for droplet generation, and the property of droplets. We then review the various strategies used to improve the stability of all-aqueous droplets and discuss the fabrication of biomaterials using all-aqueous droplets as liquid templates. We envision that this review will benefit the future development of all-aqueous droplet generation and its applications in developing biomaterials, which will be useful for researchers working in the field of all-aqueous systems and those who are new and interested in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pingan Zhu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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13
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Zhang H, Zhang L, An C, Zhang Y, Shao F, Gao Y, Zhang Y, Li H, Zhang Y, Ren C, Sun K, He W, Cheng F, Wang H, Weitz DA. Large-scale single-cell encapsulation in microgels through metastable droplet-templating combined with microfluidic-integration. Biofabrication 2022; 14. [PMID: 35593920 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ac7168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Current techniques for the generation of cell-laden microgels are limited by numerous challenges, including poorly uncontrolled batch-to-batch variations, processes that are both labor- and time-consuming, the high expense of devices and reagents, and low production rates; this hampers the translation of laboratory findings to clinical applications. To address these challenges, we develop a droplet-based microfluidic strategy based on metastable droplet-templating and microchannel integration for the substantial large-scale production of single cell-laden alginate microgels. Specifically, we present a continuous processing method for microgel generation by introducing amphiphilic perfluoronated alcohols to obtain metastable emulsion droplets as sacrificial templates. In addition, to adapt to the metastable emulsion system, integrated microfluidic chips containing 80 drop-maker units are designed and optimized based on the computational fluid dynamics simulation. This strategy allows single cell encapsulation in microgels at a maximum production rate of 10 ml hr-1 of cell suspension while retaining cell viability and functionality. These results represent a significant advance toward using cell-laden microgels for clinical-relevant applications, including cell therapy, tissue regeneration and 3D bioprinting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyue Zhang
- Dalian University of Technology, Dalian University of Technology, No.2 Linggong Road, High-tech District, Dalian, 116024, P.R.China, Dalian, Liaoning, 116024, CHINA
| | - Liyuan Zhang
- Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Pierce Hall, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, Cambridge, Massachusetts, MA 02138, UNITED STATES
| | - Chuanfeng An
- Dalian University of Technology, Dalian University of Technology, No.2 Linggong Road, High-tech District, Dalian, 116024, P.R.China, Dalian, Liaoning, 116024, CHINA
| | - Yang Zhang
- Shenzhen University, Laboratory of Regenerative Biomaterials, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518037, P.R. China, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518037, CHINA
| | - Fei Shao
- Dalian University of Technology, Dalian University of Technology, No.2 Linggong Road, High-tech District, Dalian, 116024, P.R.China, Dalian, Liaoning, 116024, CHINA
| | - Yijie Gao
- Dalian Municipal Central Hospital Affiliated of Dalian Medical University, 42 Xuegong Street, Shahekou district, Dalian, Liaoning province, Dalian, Liaoning, 116033, CHINA
| | - Yonghao Zhang
- Dalian University of Technology, Dalian University of Technology, No.2 Linggong Road, High-tech District, Dalian, 116024, P.R.China, Dalian, Liaoning, 116024, CHINA
| | - Hanting Li
- Dalian University of Technology, Dalian University of Technology, No.2 Linggong Road, High-tech District, Dalian, 116024, P.R.China, Dalian, Liaoning, 116024, CHINA
| | - Yujie Zhang
- Dalian University of Technology, Dalian University of Technology, No.2 Linggong Road, High-tech District, Dalian, 116024, P.R.China, Dalian, Liaoning, 116024, CHINA
| | - Changle Ren
- Dalian Municipal Central Hospital Affiliated of Dalian Medical University, 42 Xuegong Street, Shahekou district, Dalian, Liaoning province, Dalian, Liaoning, 116033, CHINA
| | - Kai Sun
- Dalian University of Technology, Dalian University of Technology, No.2 Linggong Road, High-tech District, Dalian, 116024, P.R.China, Dalian, Liaoning, 116024, CHINA
| | - Wei He
- Dalian University of Technology, Dalian University of Technology, No.2 Linggong Road, High-tech District, Dalian, 116024, P.R.China, Dalian, Liaoning, 116024, CHINA
| | - Fang Cheng
- Dalian University of Technology, Dalian University of Technology, No.2 Linggong Road, High-tech District, Dalian, 116024, P.R.China, Dalian, Liaoning, 116024, CHINA
| | - Huanan Wang
- dalian university of technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian University of Technology, No.2 Linggong Road, High-tech District, Dalian, 116024, P.R.China, Dalian, 116024, CHINA
| | - David A Weitz
- Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Pierce Hall, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, Cambridge, Massachusetts, MA 02138, UNITED STATES
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14
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Structurally stable sustained-release microcapsules stabilized by self-assembly of pectin-chitosan-collagen in aqueous two-phase system. Food Hydrocoll 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2021.107413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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15
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Xue W, Liu B, Zhang H, Ryu S, Kuss M, Shukla D, Hu G, Shi W, Jiang X, Lei Y, Duan B. Controllable fabrication of alginate/poly-L-ornithine polyelectrolyte complex hydrogel networks as therapeutic drug and cell carriers. Acta Biomater 2022; 138:182-192. [PMID: 34774784 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) hydrogels are advantageous as therapeutic agent and cell carriers. However, due to the weak nature of physical crosslinking, PEC swelling and cargo burst release are easily initiated. Also, most current cell-laden PEC hydrogels are limited to fibers and microcapsules with unfavorable dimensions and structures for practical implantations. To overcome these drawbacks, alginate (Alg)/poly-L-ornithine (PLO) PEC hydrogels are fabricated into microcapsules, fibers, and bulk scaffolds to explore their feasibility as drug and cell carriers. Stable Alg/PLO microcapsules with controllable shapes are obtained through aqueous electrospraying technique, which avoids osmotic shock and prolongs the release time. Model enzyme and nanosized cargos are successfully encapsulated and continuously released for more than 21 days. Alg/PLO PEC fibers are then prepared to encapsulate brown adipose progenitors (BAPs) and Jurkat T cells. The electrostatic interactions between Alg and PLO are found to facilitate the printability and self-support ability of Alg/PLO bioinks. Alg/PLO PEC fibers and scaffolds support cell proliferation, differentiation, and functionalization. These results demonstrate new options for biocompatible PEC hydrogel preparation and improve the understanding of PEC hydrogels as drug and cell carriers. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In this study, the concept of polyelectrolyte complex hydrogel networks as drug and cell carriers has been demonstrated. Their feasibility to achieve sustained drug release and cell functionality was explored, from microcapsules to fibers to three-dimension printed scaffolds. PEC microcapsules with controllable shapes were obtained. Therapeutic drugs can be encapsulated and continuously release for more than 21 days. Benefiting from the dynamic interactions of physically crosslinked PEC, self-healing fibers were achieved. Besides, the electrostatic interactions between polyelectrolytes were found to facilitate the printability and self-support ability of PEC bioinks. The PEC fibers and scaffolds with controllable structure supported cell proliferation, differentiation, and function. The outcome of current research promotes design of new biocompatible PEC hydrogels and potential drug and cell carriers.
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16
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Continuous, autonomous subsurface cargo shuttling by nature-inspired meniscus-climbing systems. Nat Chem 2021; 14:208-215. [PMID: 34845343 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-021-00837-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Water-walking insects can harness capillary forces by changing their body posture to climb or descend the meniscus between the surface of water and a solid object. Controlling surface tension in this manner is necessary for predation, escape and survival. Inspired by this behaviour, we demonstrate autonomous, aqueous-based synthetic systems that overcome the meniscus barrier and shuttle cargo subsurface to and from a landing site and a targeted drop-off site. We change the sign of the contact angle of a coacervate sac containing an aqueous phase or of a hydrogel droplet hanging from the surface by controlling the normal force acting on the sac or droplet. The cyclic buoyancy-induced cargo shuttling occurs continuously, as long as the supply of reactants diffusing to the sac or droplet from the surrounding aqueous phase is not exhausted. These findings may lead to potential applications in autonomously driven reaction or delivery systems and micro-/milli-robotics.
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17
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Lee KH, Kim TH. Recent Advances in Multicellular Tumor Spheroid Generation for Drug Screening. BIOSENSORS 2021; 11:445. [PMID: 34821661 PMCID: PMC8615712 DOI: 10.3390/bios11110445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTs) have been employed in biomedical fields owing to their advantage in designing a three-dimensional (3D) solid tumor model. For controlling multicellular cancer spheroids, mimicking the tumor extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment is important to understand cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. In drug cytotoxicity assessments, MCTs provide better mimicry of conventional solid tumors that can precisely represent anticancer drug candidates' effects. To generate incubate multicellular spheroids, researchers have developed several 3D multicellular spheroid culture technologies to establish a research background and a platform using tumor modelingvia advanced materials science, and biosensing techniques for drug-screening. In application, drug screening was performed in both invasive and non-invasive manners, according to their impact on the spheroids. Here, we review the trend of 3D spheroid culture technology and culture platforms, and their combination with various biosensing techniques for drug screening in the biomedical field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tae-Hyung Kim
- School of Integrative Engineering, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseuk-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Korea;
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18
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Prabhu VM. Interfacial tension in polyelectrolyte systems exhibiting associative liquid–liquid phase separation. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2021.101422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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19
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Vilabril S, Nadine S, Neves CMSS, Correia CR, Freire MG, Coutinho JAP, Oliveira MB, Mano JF. One-Step All-Aqueous Interfacial Assembly of Robust Membranes for Long-Term Encapsulation and Culture of Adherent Stem/Stromal Cells. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2100266. [PMID: 33764007 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202100266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The therapeutic effectiveness and biological relevance of technologies based on adherent cells depend on platforms that enable long-term culture in controlled environments. Liquid-core capsules have been suggested as semipermeable moieties with spatial homogeneity due to the high mobility of all components in their core. The lack of cell-adhesive sites in liquid-core structures often hampers their use as platforms for stem cell-based technologies for long-term survival and cell-directed self-organization. Here, the one-step fast formation of robust polymeric capsules formed by interfacial complexation of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes in an all-aqueous environment, compatible with the simultaneous encapsulation of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) and microcarriers, is described. The adhesion of umbilical cord MSCs to polymeric microcarriers enables their aggregation and culture for more than 21 days in capsules prepared either manually by dropwise addition, or by scalable electrohydrodynamic atomization, generating robust and stable capsules. Cell aggregation and secretion overtime can be tailored by providing cells with static or dynamic (bioreactor) environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Vilabril
- CICECO ‐ Aveiro Institute of Materials Department of Chemistry University of Aveiro Aveiro 3810‐193 Portugal
| | - Sara Nadine
- CICECO ‐ Aveiro Institute of Materials Department of Chemistry University of Aveiro Aveiro 3810‐193 Portugal
| | - Catarina M. S. S. Neves
- CICECO ‐ Aveiro Institute of Materials Department of Chemistry University of Aveiro Aveiro 3810‐193 Portugal
| | - Clara R. Correia
- CICECO ‐ Aveiro Institute of Materials Department of Chemistry University of Aveiro Aveiro 3810‐193 Portugal
| | - Mara G. Freire
- CICECO ‐ Aveiro Institute of Materials Department of Chemistry University of Aveiro Aveiro 3810‐193 Portugal
| | - João A. P. Coutinho
- CICECO ‐ Aveiro Institute of Materials Department of Chemistry University of Aveiro Aveiro 3810‐193 Portugal
| | - Mariana B. Oliveira
- CICECO ‐ Aveiro Institute of Materials Department of Chemistry University of Aveiro Aveiro 3810‐193 Portugal
| | - João F. Mano
- CICECO ‐ Aveiro Institute of Materials Department of Chemistry University of Aveiro Aveiro 3810‐193 Portugal
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20
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Rowland AT, Keating CD. Formation and properties of liposome-stabilized all-aqueous emulsions based on PEG/dextran, PEG/Ficoll, and PEG/sulfate aqueous biphasic systems. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:3688-3699. [PMID: 33683232 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01849j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Vesicle-stabilized all-aqueous emulsion droplets are appealing as bioreactors because they provide uniform encapsulation via equilibrium partitioning without restricting diffusion in and out of the interior. These properties rely on the composition of the aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) chosen for the emulsion and the structure of the interfacial liposome layer, respectively. Here, we explore how changing the aqueous two-phase system from a standard poly(ethyleneglycol), PEG, 8 kDa/dextran 10 kDa ATPS to PEG 8 kDa/Ficoll 70 kDa or PEG 8 kDa/Na2SO4 systems impacts droplet uniformity and partitioning of a model solute (U15 oligoRNA). We also compare liposomes formed by two different methods, both of which begin with multilamellar, polydisperse vesicles formed by gentle hydration: (1) extrusion, which produced vesicles of 150 nm average diameter, and (2) vortexing, which produced vesicles of 270 nm average diameter. Our data illustrate that while droplet uniformity and stability are somewhat better for samples based on extruded vesicles, extrusion is not necessary to create functional microreactors, as emulsions stabilized with vortexed liposomes are just as effective at solute partitioning and allow diffusion across the droplet's liposome corona. This work expands the compositions possible for liposome-stabilized, all-aqueous emulsion droplet bioreactors, making them amenable to a wider range of potential reactions. Replacing the liposome extrusion step with vortexing can reduce time and cost of bioreactor production with only modest reductions in emulsion quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T Rowland
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
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21
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Michaux M, Salinas N, Miras J, Vílchez S, González-Azón C, Esquena J. Encapsulation of BSA/alginate water–in–water emulsions by polyelectrolyte complexation. Food Hydrocoll 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2020.106406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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22
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Seo H, Lee H. Recent developments in microfluidic synthesis of artificial cell-like polymersomes and liposomes for functional bioreactors. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2021; 15:021301. [PMID: 33833845 PMCID: PMC8012066 DOI: 10.1063/5.0048441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in droplet microfluidics have led to the fabrication of versatile vesicles with a structure that mimics the cellular membrane. These artificial cell-like vesicles including polymersomes and liposomes effectively enclose an aqueous core with well-defined size and composition from the surrounding environment to implement various biological reactions, serving as a diverse functional reactor. The advantage of realizing various biological phenomena within a compartment separated by a membrane that resembles a natural cell membrane is actively explored in the fields of synthetic biology as well as biomedical applications including drug delivery, biosensors, and bioreactors, to name a few. In this Perspective, we first summarize various methods utilized in producing these polymersomes and liposomes. Moreover, we will highlight some of the recent advances in the design of these artificial cell-like vesicles for functional bioreactors and discuss the current issues and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanjin Seo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, South Korea
| | - Hyomin Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, South Korea
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23
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Dupré de Baubigny J, Perrin P, Pantoustier N, Salez T, Reyssat M, Monteux C. Growth Mechanism of Polymer Membranes Obtained by H-Bonding Across Immiscible Liquid Interfaces. ACS Macro Lett 2021; 10:204-209. [PMID: 35570784 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.0c00847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Complexation of polymers at liquid interfaces is an emerging technique to produce all-liquid printable and self-healing devices and membranes. It is crucial to control the assembly process, but the mechanisms at play remain unclear. Using two different reflectometric methods, we investigate the spontaneous growth of H-bonded PPO-PMAA (polypropylene oxide-polymetacrylic acid) membranes at a flat liquid-liquid interface. We find that the membrane thickness h grows with time t as h ∼ t1/2, which is reminiscent of a diffusion-limited process. However, counterintuitively, we observe that this process is faster as the PPO molar mass increases. We are able to rationalize these results with a model which considers the diffusion of the PPO chains within the growing membrane. The architecture of the latter is described as a gel-like porous network, with a pore size much smaller than the radius of the diffusing PPO chains, thus inducing entropic barriers that hinder the diffusion process. From the comparison between the experimental data and the result of the model, we extract some key piece of information about the microscopic structure of the membrane. This study opens the route toward the rational design of self-assembled membranes and capsules with optimal properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Dupré de Baubigny
- Sciences et Ingénierie de La Matière Molle, UMR 7615, ESPCI Paris, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Patrick Perrin
- Sciences et Ingénierie de La Matière Molle, UMR 7615, ESPCI Paris, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Nadège Pantoustier
- Sciences et Ingénierie de La Matière Molle, UMR 7615, ESPCI Paris, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Thomas Salez
- Université Bordeaux, CNRS, LOMA, UMR 5798, 33405 Talence, France
- Global Station for Soft Matter, Global Institution for Collaborative Research and Education, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0021, Japan
| | - Mathilde Reyssat
- UMR CNRS 7083 Gulliver, ESPCI Paris, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Cécile Monteux
- Sciences et Ingénierie de La Matière Molle, UMR 7615, ESPCI Paris, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, 75005 Paris, France
- Global Station for Soft Matter, Global Institution for Collaborative Research and Education, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0021, Japan
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24
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Microparticles from glycidylmethacrylated gelatin as cell carriers prepared in an aqueous two-phase system. Eur Polym J 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2020.110148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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25
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Mu XT, Li Y, Ju XJ, Yang XL, Xie R, Wang W, Liu Z, Chu LY. Microfluidic Fabrication of Structure-Controlled Chitosan Microcapsules via Interfacial Cross-Linking of Droplet Templates. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:57514-57525. [PMID: 33301686 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c14656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this work, a simple and flexible method for the fabrication of chitosan microcapsules with controllable structures and functions via the interfacial cross-linking reaction of the water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion templates is developed. The interfacial cross-linking reactions of chitosan and terephthalaldehyde (TPA) in W/O emulsion templates are comprehensively studied. The interfacial cross-linking reactions of the droplet templates in both batchwise and continuous conditions are studied. A poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) droplet-capture microfluidic chip is fabricated to investigate the interfacial reaction in continuous conditions online. In this study, the size and shell thickness of the microcapsules are affected by the preparation condition, such as the template size, emulsifier concentration, TPA concentration, and cross-linking time. Moreover, the size and shell thickness changes of chitosan microcapsules prepared in continuous conditions are much faster than those prepared in batchwise conditions. By regulating the preparation parameters, the microcapsules with controllable structures are fabricated in both batchwise and continuous conditions. The drug release behaviors of the microcapsules with controllable structures are studied. Furthermore, by adding magnetic nanoparticles to the aqueous solution, magnetic-responsive microcapsules are fabricated easily. This work provides valuable guidance for the controllable fabrication of chitosan microcapsules with designed structures and functions via single emulsion templates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Ting Mu
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
| | - Yao Li
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Jie Ju
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
| | - Xiu-Lan Yang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
| | - Rui Xie
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
| | - Zhuang Liu
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
| | - Liang-Yin Chu
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
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26
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Lin D, Liu T, Yuan Q, Yang H, Ma H, Shi S, Wang D, Russell TP. Stabilizing Aqueous Three-Dimensional Printed Constructs Using Chitosan-Cellulose Nanocrystal Assemblies. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:55426-55433. [PMID: 33228355 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c16602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The assembly and binding of nanoparticles at the interfaces of aqueous two-phase systems enable the three-dimensional (3D) printing of all-aqueous naturally occurring materials. When a dispersion of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) in an aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol (PEG) is brought into contact with chitosan dissolved in an aqueous solution of dextran, the CNCs and chitosan diffuse to the interface between the two immiscible aqueous solutions, electrostatically interact, and form a solid, membranous layer sufficiently rapidly to 3D print tubules of one liquid in the other. The diameter, length, spatial arrangement, and stability of the printed tubules can be broadly controlled. Adsorption and directional diffusion of ionic species across the membranous layer make heavy metal ion removal possible. The results present a platform for fabricating and developing all-aqueous compartmentalized systems where function can be independently coupled to the inherent functionality of the nanoparticles or ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Lin
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Tan Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Qingqing Yuan
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Hongkun Yang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Hongyang Ma
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Shaowei Shi
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Dong Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Thomas P Russell
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
- Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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27
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Xu Z, Wang S, Zhao C, Li S, Liu X, Wang L, Li M, Huang X, Mann S. Photosynthetic hydrogen production by droplet-based microbial micro-reactors under aerobic conditions. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5985. [PMID: 33239636 PMCID: PMC7689460 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19823-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The spontaneous self-assembly of multicellular ensembles into living materials with synergistic structure and function remains a considerable challenge in biotechnology and synthetic biology. Here, we exploit the aqueous two-phase separation of dextran-in-PEG emulsion micro-droplets for the capture, spatial organization and immobilization of algal cells or algal/bacterial cell communities to produce discrete multicellular spheroids capable of both aerobic (oxygen producing) and hypoxic (hydrogen producing) photosynthesis in daylight under air. We show that localized oxygen depletion results in hydrogen production from the core of the algal microscale reactor, and demonstrate that enhanced levels of hydrogen evolution can be achieved synergistically by spontaneously enclosing the photosynthetic cells within a shell of bacterial cells undergoing aerobic respiration. Our results highlight a promising droplet-based environmentally benign approach to dispersible photosynthetic microbial micro-reactors comprising segregated cellular micro-niches with dual functionality, and provide a step towards photobiological hydrogen production under aerobic conditions. The development of techniques capable of orchestrating the assembly of living cells into multicellular ensembles with synergistic and function is challenge. Here, the authors construct algal or algal/bacterial cells-based core shell-like structure based on aqueous two-phase system for synergic photosynthetic H2 production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijun Xu
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Shengliang Wang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Chunyu Zhao
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Shangsong Li
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Xiaoman Liu
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Lei Wang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Mei Li
- Max Planck Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Xin Huang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China.
| | - Stephen Mann
- Max Planck Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK.
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28
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Navi M, Kieda J, Tsai SSH. Magnetic polyelectrolyte microcapsules via water-in-water droplet microfluidics. LAB ON A CHIP 2020; 20:2851-2860. [PMID: 32555881 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc00387e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Polyelectrolyte microcapsules (PEMCs) have biocompatible microcompartments. Therefore, PEMCs are useful for applications in cosmetics, food, pharmaceutics, and other industries. The fabrication of PEMCs often involves the use of harsh chemicals or cytotoxic organic phases that make biomedical applications of the microcapsules challenging. In this report, we present an all-aqueous droplet microfluidics platform for the generation of magnetic PEMCs. In the platform, we use an aqueous-two-phase system (ATPS) of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and dextran (Dex), to generate water-in-water droplets, which are magnetically functionalized with ferrofluid. Strong polyelectrolytes (PEs) with opposite charges are used in each ATPS phase. We make emulsion templates of magnetic Dex, containing the polycations, in a continuous phase of PEG. We then apply a magnetic field to move the magnetic droplets to a second PEG phase, which contains the polyanions. By careful tuning of the fluxes of the two PEs in their respective phases, we trigger the formation of a shell at the droplet interface. Owing to the presence of the ferrofluid, the resulting microcapsules are magnetically responsive. We show that the magnetic PEMCs are capable of passive release of large pseudo-drugs as well as triggered release using external stimuli such as osmotic shock and pH change. We expect that magnetic PEMCs from this biocompatible all-aqueous platform will find utility in the fabrication of functionalized drug carriers for targeted drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Navi
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, Ryerson University, Toronto M5B 2K3, Canada.
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29
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Prabhu VM, Ali S, Bleuel M, Mao Y, Ma Y. Ultra-small angle neutron scattering to study droplet formation in polyelectrolyte complex coacervates. Methods Enzymol 2020; 646:261-276. [PMID: 33453928 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2020.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Associating soft matter such as surfactants, polymers, proteins, and liposomes, may form structures with dimensions not readily accessible by optical methods. Scattering methods can provide detailed information about the mechanism of associative phase separation including nucleation density, size, and shape. Ultra-small angle neutron scattering, a reciprocal space method, provides sensitivity to submicron to micron-scale structures in a non-invasive manner and described in the context of nucleation and growth of dilute droplets formed by a temperature jump into the meta-stable region of polyelectrolyte complex coacervates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek M Prabhu
- Materials Science and Engineering Division, Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, United States.
| | - Samim Ali
- Materials Science and Engineering Division, Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, United States
| | - Markus Bleuel
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States; Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, United States
| | - Yimin Mao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States; Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, United States
| | - Yuanchi Ma
- Materials Science and Engineering Division, Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, United States
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30
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Chao Y, Hung LT, Feng J, Yuan H, Pan Y, Guo W, Zhang Y, Shum HC. Flower-like droplets obtained by self-emulsification of a phase-separating (SEPS) aqueous film. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:6050-6055. [PMID: 32490476 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm00660b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Self-emulsification, referring to the spontaneous formation of droplets of one phase in another immiscible phase, is attracting growing interest because of its simplicity in creating droplets. Existing self-emulsification methods usually rely on phase inversion, temperature cycling, and solvent evaporation. However, achieving spatiotemporal control over the morphology of self-emulsified droplets remains challenging. In this work, a conceptually new approach of creating both simple and complex droplets by self-emulsification of a phase-separating (SEPS) aqueous film, is reported. The aqueous film is formed by depositing a surfactant-laden aqueous droplet onto an aqueous surface, and the fragmentation of the film into droplets is triggered by a wetting transition. Smaller and more uniform droplets can be achieved by introducing liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). Moreover, properly modulating quadruple LLPS and film fragmentation enables the creation of highly multicellular droplets such as flower-like droplets stabilized by the interfacial self-assembly of nanoparticles. This work provides a novel strategy to design aqueous droplets by LLPS, and it will inspire a wide range of applications such as membraneless organelle synthesis, cell mimics and delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youchuang Chao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Lap Tak Hung
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Jie Feng
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Hao Yuan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China. and Institute of Applied Mechanics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi Pan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Yage Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Ho Cheung Shum
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
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31
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All-aqueous emulsions as miniaturized chemical reactors in the food and bioprocess technology. Curr Opin Food Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cofs.2020.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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32
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Xu R, Liu T, Sun H, Wang B, Shi S, Russell TP. Interfacial Assembly and Jamming of Polyelectrolyte Surfactants: A Simple Route To Print Liquids in Low-Viscosity Solution. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:18116-18122. [PMID: 32091190 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c00577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticle surfactants (NPSs) assembled at the oil-water interface can significantly lower the interfacial tension and be used to structure liquids. However, to realize the three-dimensional printing of one liquid in another, high-viscosity liquids, for example, silicone oil, have been generally used. Here, we present a simple, low-cost approach to print water in low-viscosity toluene by using a new type of polyelectrolyte surfactant, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose surfactant (CMCS), that forms and assembles at the oil-water interface. The interfacial activity of CMCSs can be enhanced by tuning parameters, such as pH and concentration, and the incorporation of a rigid ligand affords excellent mechanical strength to the resultant assemblies. With CMCS jammed at the interface, liquids can be easily printed or molded to the desired shapes, with biocompatible walls that can be used to encapsulate and adsorb active materials. This study opens a new pathway to generate complex, all-liquid devices with a myriad of potential applications in biology, catalysis, and chemical separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyan Xu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Tan Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Huilou Sun
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Beibei Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Shaowei Shi
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Thomas P Russell
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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Xie G, Forth J, Zhu S, Helms BA, Ashby PD, Shum HC, Russell TP. Hanging droplets from liquid surfaces. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:8360-8365. [PMID: 32220955 PMCID: PMC7165464 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1922045117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural and man-made robotic systems use the interfacial tension between two fluids to support dense objects on liquid surfaces. Here, we show that coacervate-encased droplets of an aqueous polymer solution can be hung from the surface of a less dense aqueous polymer solution using surface tension. The forces acting on and the shapes of the hanging droplets can be controlled. Sacs with homogeneous and heterogeneous surfaces are hung from the surface and, by capillary forces, form well-ordered arrays. Locomotion and rotation can be achieved by embedding magnetic microparticles within the assemblies. Direct contact of the droplet with air enables in situ manipulation and compartmentalized cascading chemical reactions with selective transport. Applications including functional microreactors, motors, and biomimetic robots are evident.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganhua Xie
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
| | - Joe Forth
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
| | - Shipei Zhu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Brett A Helms
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Paul D Ashby
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Ho Cheung Shum
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Thomas P Russell
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720;
- Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
- Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
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34
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Ma Q, Song Y, Sun W, Cao J, Yuan H, Wang X, Sun Y, Shum HC. Cell-Inspired All-Aqueous Microfluidics: From Intracellular Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation toward Advanced Biomaterials. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:1903359. [PMID: 32274317 PMCID: PMC7141073 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201903359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Living cells have evolved over billions of years to develop structural and functional complexity with numerous intracellular compartments that are formed due to liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). Discovery of the amazing and vital roles of cells in life has sparked tremendous efforts to investigate and replicate the intracellular LLPS. Among them, all-aqueous emulsions are a minimalistic liquid model that recapitulates the structural and functional features of membraneless organelles and protocells. Here, an emerging all-aqueous microfluidic technology derived from micrometer-scaled manipulation of LLPS is presented; the technology enables the state-of-art design of advanced biomaterials with exquisite structural proficiency and diversified biological functions. Moreover, a variety of emerging biomedical applications, including encapsulation and delivery of bioactive gradients, fabrication of artificial membraneless organelles, as well as printing and assembly of predesigned cell patterns and living tissues, are inspired by their cellular counterparts. Finally, the challenges and perspectives for further advancing the cell-inspired all-aqueous microfluidics toward a more powerful and versatile platform are discussed, particularly regarding new opportunities in multidisciplinary fundamental research and biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingming Ma
- Department of PharmaceuticsSchool of PharmacyQingdao UniversityQingdao266021China
| | - Yang Song
- Wallace H Coulter Department of Biomedical EngineeringGeorgia Institute of Technology & Emory School of MedicineAtlantaGA30332USA
| | - Wentao Sun
- Center for Basic Medical ResearchTEDA International Cardiovascular HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeTianjin300457China
| | - Jie Cao
- Department of PharmaceuticsSchool of PharmacyQingdao UniversityQingdao266021China
| | - Hao Yuan
- Institute of Applied MechanicsNational Taiwan UniversityTaipei10617Taiwan
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Institute of Thermal Science and TechnologyShandong UniversityJinan250061China
| | - Yong Sun
- Department of PharmaceuticsSchool of PharmacyQingdao UniversityQingdao266021China
| | - Ho Cheung Shum
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Hong KongPokfulam RoadHong Kong
- HKU‐Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation (HKU‐SIRI)Shenzhen518000China
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35
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Balaj RV, Cho SW, Singh P, Zarzar LD. Polyelectrolyte hydrogel capsules as stabilizers for reconfigurable complex emulsions. Polym Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1039/c9py00956f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Polyelectrolyte capsules stabilize biphasic oil droplets while preserving droplet reconfigurability in the presence of surfactants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca V. Balaj
- Department of Chemistry
- The Pennsylvania State University
- University Park
- USA 16802
| | - Seung Wook Cho
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering
- The Pennsylvania State University
- University Park
- USA 16802
| | - Prachi Singh
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering
- The Pennsylvania State University
- University Park
- USA 16802
| | - Lauren D. Zarzar
- Department of Chemistry
- The Pennsylvania State University
- University Park
- USA 16802
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering
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36
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Chao Y, Shum HC. Emerging aqueous two-phase systems: from fundamentals of interfaces to biomedical applications. Chem Soc Rev 2020; 49:114-142. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cs00466a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review summarizes recent advances of aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs), particularly their interfaces, with a focus on biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youchuang Chao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- The University of Hong Kong
- China
| | - Ho Cheung Shum
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- The University of Hong Kong
- China
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37
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Song J, Babayekhorasani F, Spicer PT. Soft Bacterial Cellulose Microcapsules with Adaptable Shapes. Biomacromolecules 2019; 20:4437-4446. [PMID: 31661248 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.9b01143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Microcapsules with controlled stability and permeability are in high demand for applications in separation and encapsulation. We have developed a biointerfacial process to fabricate strong, but flexible, porous microcapsules from bacterial cellulose at an oil-water emulsion interface. A broad range of microcapsule sizes has been successfully produced, from 100 μm to 5 cm in diameter. The three-dimensional capsule microstructure was imaged using confocal microscopy, showing a cellulose membrane thickness of around 30 μm that is highly porous, with some pores larger than 0.5 μm that are permeable to most macromolecules by free diffusion but can exclude larger structures like bacteria. The mechanical deformation of cellulose microcapsules reveals their flexibility, enabling them to pass through constrictions with a much smaller diameter than their initial size by bending and folding. Our work provides a new approach for producing soft, permeable, and biocompatible microcapsules for substance encapsulation and protection. The capsules may offer a replacement for suspended polymer beads in commercial applications and could potentially act as a framework for artificial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Song
- School of Chemical Engineering , UNSW Australia , Sydney NSW 2052 , Australia
| | | | - Patrick T Spicer
- School of Chemical Engineering , UNSW Australia , Sydney NSW 2052 , Australia
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38
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39
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De Lora JA, Fencl FA, Macias Gonzalez AD, Bandegi A, Foudazi R, Lopez GP, Shreve AP, Carroll NJ. Oil-Free Acoustofluidic Droplet Generation for Multicellular Tumor Spheroid Culture. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2019; 2:4097-4105. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.9b00617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline A. De Lora
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131,United States
| | - Frank A. Fencl
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131,United States
| | - Aidira D.Y. Macias Gonzalez
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131,United States
| | - Alireza Bandegi
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, United States
| | - Reza Foudazi
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, United States
| | - Gabriel P. Lopez
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131,United States
| | - Andrew P. Shreve
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131,United States
| | - Nick J. Carroll
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131,United States
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40
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Forth J, Kim PY, Xie G, Liu X, Helms BA, Russell TP. Building Reconfigurable Devices Using Complex Liquid-Fluid Interfaces. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2019; 31:e1806370. [PMID: 30828869 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201806370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-fluid interfaces provide a platform both for structuring liquids into complex shapes and assembling dimensionally confined, functional nanomaterials. Historically, attention in this area has focused on simple emulsions and foams, in which surface-active materials such as surfactants or colloids stabilize structures against coalescence and alter the mechanical properties of the interface. In recent decades, however, a growing body of work has begun to demonstrate the full potential of the assembly of nanomaterials at liquid-fluid interfaces to generate functionally advanced, biomimetic systems. Here, a broad overview is given, from fundamentals to applications, of the use of liquid-fluid interfaces to generate complex, all-liquid devices with a myriad of potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe Forth
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Paul Y Kim
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Ganhua Xie
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts, 120 Governors Drive, Conte Center for Polymer Research, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Xubo Liu
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Brett A Helms
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Thomas P Russell
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts, 120 Governors Drive, Conte Center for Polymer Research, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
- WPI-Advanced Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR), Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba, Sendai, 980-8577, Japan
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41
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Binks BP, Shi H. Phase Inversion of Silica Particle-Stabilized Water-in-Water Emulsions. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:4046-4057. [PMID: 30848921 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b04151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
An aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) is of great value in low calorie foods or oil-free cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. In contrast to the recent work on polymer/polymer ATPSs, a simple polymer/salt ATPS (polyethylene glycol/Na2SO4) was chosen to study water-in-water (w/w) emulsions stabilized by solid particles. The binodal curve and the tie lines were first determined for the mixture at room temperature. Above the binodal curve, two water-based phases coexist; the upper phase is rich in polymer, whereas the lower phase is rich in salt. Within the two-phase region, we attempted to prepare w/w emulsions with or without the addition of common emulsifiers. Ionic and nonionic surfactants, a polymer, and various solid particles (hydrophilic calcium carbonate particles of different sizes and shapes, wax microspheres) were selected, but no stable emulsion was possible. However, stable w/w emulsions of both types (polymer-in-salt and salt-in-polymer) were formed using dichlorodimethylsilane-modified nanosilica particles. Using partially hydrophobic fumed silica as the emulsifier, emulsions remained fully emulsified for over 1 year and we link the extent of hydrophobization of particles to the properties of the emulsions via contact angle measurements. Furthermore, systematic emulsion studies were conducted at different overall compositions such that changes in emulsion type and stability were mapped onto the phase diagram. Catastrophic phase inversion of emulsion type and evolution of emulsion stability were monitored along the tie lines. Importantly, stability to coalescence was found to decrease approaching conditions of phase inversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard P Binks
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Hull , Hull HU6 7RX . U.K
| | - Hui Shi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Hull , Hull HU6 7RX . U.K
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42
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Watanabe T, Motohiro I, Ono T. Microfluidic Formation of Hydrogel Microcapsules with a Single Aqueous Core by Spontaneous Cross-Linking in Aqueous Two-Phase System Droplets. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:2358-2367. [PMID: 30626189 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b04169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
We report a simple process to fabricate monodisperse tetra-arm poly(ethylene glycol) (tetra-PEG) hydrogel microcapsules with an aqueous core and a semipermeable hydrogel shell through the formation of aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) droplets consisting of a dextran-rich core and a tetra-PEG macromonomer-rich shell, followed by a spontaneous cross-end coupling reaction of tetra-PEG macromonomers in the shell. Different from conventional techniques, this process enables for the continuous production of hydrogel microcapsules from water-in-oil emulsion droplets under mild conditions in the absence of radical initiators and external stimuli such as heating and ultraviolet light irradiation. We find that rapid cross-end coupling reaction of tetra-PEG macromonomers in ATPS droplets in the range of pH from 7.4 to 7.8 gives hydrogel microcapsules with a kinetically arrested core-shell structure. The diameter and core-shell ratio of the microcapsules can be easily controlled by adjusting flow rates and ATPS compositions. On the other hand, the slow cross-end coupling reaction of tetra-PEG macromonomers in ATPS droplets at pH 7.0 and lower induces structural change from core-shell to Janus during the reaction, which eventually forms hydrogel microparticles with a thermodynamically stable crescent structure. We believe that these hydrogel microparticles with controlled structures can be used in biomedical fields such as cell encapsulation, biosensors, and drug delivery carriers for sensitive biomolecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaichi Watanabe
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science , Okayama University , 3-1-1, Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku , Okayama 700-8530 , Japan
| | - Ibuki Motohiro
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science , Okayama University , 3-1-1, Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku , Okayama 700-8530 , Japan
| | - Tsutomu Ono
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science , Okayama University , 3-1-1, Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku , Okayama 700-8530 , Japan
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43
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Shi S, Russell TP. Nanoparticle Assembly at Liquid-Liquid Interfaces: From the Nanoscale to Mesoscale. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2018; 30:e1800714. [PMID: 30035834 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201800714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
In the past few decades, novel syntheses of a wide range of nanoparticles (NPs) with well-defined chemical composition and structure have opened tremendous opportunities in areas ranging from optical and electronic devices to biomedical markers. Controlling the assembly of such well-defined NPs is important to effectively harness their unique properties. The assembly of NPs at liquid-liquid interfaces is becoming a central topic both in surface and colloid science. Hierarchical structures, including 2D films, 3D capsules, and structured liquids, have been generating significant interest and are showing promise for physical, chemical, and biological applications. Here, a brief overview of the development of the self-assembly of NPs at liquid-liquid interfaces is provided, from theory to experiment, from synthetic NPs to bio-nanoparticles, from water-oil to water-water, and from "liquid-like" to "solid-like" assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaowei Shi
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Thomas P Russell
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
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44
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Murmiliuk A, Matějíček P, Filippov SK, Janata M, Šlouf M, Pispas S, Štěpánek M. Formation of core/corona nanoparticles with interpolyelectrolyte complex cores in aqueous solution: insight into chain dynamics in the complex from fluorescence quenching. SOFT MATTER 2018; 14:7578-7585. [PMID: 30140809 DOI: 10.1039/c8sm01174e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Formation of interpolyelectrolyte complexes (IPECs) of poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) bearing a fluorescent label (umbelliferone) at the chain end and poly[3,5-bis(trimethyl ammoniummethyl)-4-hydroxystyrene iodide]-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (QNPHOS-PEO) acting as a fluorescence quencher, was followed using a combination of scattering, calorimetry, microscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy techniques. While scattering and microscopy measurements indicated formation of spherical core/corona nanoparticles with the core of the QNPHOS/PMAA complex and the PEO corona, fluorescence measurements showed that both static and dynamic quenching efficiency were increased in the nanoparticle stability region. As the dynamic quenching rate constant remained unchanged, the quenching enhancement was caused by the increase in the local concentration of QNPHOS segments in the microenvironment of the label. This finding implies that the local dynamics of PMAA end chains affecting the interaction of the label with QNPHOS segments was independent of both PMAA and QNPHOS chain conformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasiia Murmiliuk
- Department of Physical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Charles University, Hlavova 8, 128 00 Prague 2, Czech Republic Prague, Czech Republic.
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45
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Chao Y, Mak SY, Rahman S, Zhu S, Shum HC. Generation of High-Order All-Aqueous Emulsion Drops by Osmosis-Driven Phase Separation. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2018; 14:e1802107. [PMID: 30118584 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201802107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2018] [Revised: 07/28/2018] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Droplets containing ternary mixtures can spontaneously phase-separate into high-order structures upon a change in composition, which provides an alternative strategy to form multiphase droplets. However, existing strategies always involve nonaqueous solvents that limit the potential applications of the resulting multiple droplets, such as encapsulation of biomolecules. Here, a robust approach to achieve high-order emulsion drops with an all-aqueous nature from two aqueous phases by osmosis-induced phase separation on a microfluidic platform is presented. This technique is enabled by the existence of an interface of the two aqueous phases and phase separation caused by an osmolality difference between the two phases. The complexity of emulsion drops induced by phase separation could be controlled by varying the initial concentration of solutes and is systematically illustrated in a state diagram. In particular, this technique is utilized to successfully achieve high-order all-aqueous droplets in a different aqueous two-phase system. The proposed method is simple since it only requires two initial aqueous solutions for generating multilayered, organic-solvent-free all-aqueous emulsion drops, and thus these multiphase emulsion drops can be further tailored to serve as highly biocompatible material templates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youchuang Chao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
- HKU-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation (HKU-SIRI), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, China
| | - Sze Yi Mak
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
- HKU-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation (HKU-SIRI), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, China
| | - Shakurur Rahman
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shipei Zhu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ho Cheung Shum
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
- HKU-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation (HKU-SIRI), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, China
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Kim BJ, Cho H, Park JH, Mano JF, Choi IS. Strategic Advances in Formation of Cell-in-Shell Structures: From Syntheses to Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2018; 30:e1706063. [PMID: 29441678 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201706063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 11/12/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Single-cell nanoencapsulation, forming cell-in-shell structures, provides chemical tools for endowing living cells, in a programmed fashion, with exogenous properties that are neither innate nor naturally achievable, such as cascade organic-catalysis, UV filtration, immunogenic shielding, and enhanced tolerance in vitro against lethal factors in real-life settings. Recent advances in the field make it possible to further fine-tune the physicochemical properties of the artificial shells encasing individual living cells, including on-demand degradability and reconfigurability. Many different materials, other than polyelectrolytes, have been utilized as a cell-coating material with proper choice of synthetic strategies to broaden the potential applications of cell-in-shell structures to whole-cell catalysis and sensors, cell therapy, tissue engineering, probiotics packaging, and others. In addition to the conventional "one-time-only" chemical formation of cytoprotective, durable shells, an approach of autonomous, dynamic shellation has also recently been attempted to mimic the naturally occurring sporulation process and to make the artificial shell actively responsive and dynamic. Here, the recent development of synthetic strategies for formation of cell-in-shell structures along with the advanced shell properties acquired is reviewed. Demonstrated applications, such as whole-cell biocatalysis and cell therapy, are discussed, followed by perspectives on the field of single-cell nanoencapsulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beom Jin Kim
- Center for Cell-Encapsulation Research, Department of Chemistry, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Hyeoncheol Cho
- Center for Cell-Encapsulation Research, Department of Chemistry, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Ji Hun Park
- Center for Cell-Encapsulation Research, Department of Chemistry, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - João F Mano
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Insung S Choi
- Center for Cell-Encapsulation Research, Department of Chemistry, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Korea
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Hann SD, Stebe KJ, Lee D. All-Aqueous Assemblies via Interfacial Complexation: Toward Artificial Cell and Microniche Development. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2017; 33:10107-10117. [PMID: 28882042 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b02237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In nature, the environment surrounding biomolecules and living cells can dictate their structure, function, and properties. Confinement is a key means to define and regulate such environments. For example, the confinement of appropriate constituents in compartments facilitates the assembly, dynamics, and function of biochemical machineries as well as subcellular organelles. Membraneless organelles, in particular, are thought to form via thermodynamic cues defined within the interior space of cells. On larger length scales, the confinement of living cells dictates cellular function for both mammalian and bacterial cells. One promising class of artificial structures that can recapitulate these multiscale confinement effects is based on aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs). This feature article highlights recent developments in the production and stabilization of ATPS-droplet-based systems, with a focus on interfacial complexation. These systems enable structure formation, modulation, and triggered (dis)assembly, thereby allowing structures to be tailored to fit the desired function and designed for particular confinement studies. Open issues for both synthetic cells and niche studies are identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah D Hann
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Kathleen J Stebe
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Daeyeon Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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Hann SD, Stebe KJ, Lee D. AWE-somes: All Water Emulsion Bodies with Permeable Shells and Selective Compartments. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:25023-25028. [PMID: 28665113 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b05800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Living cells exploit compartmentalization within organelles to spatially and temporally control reactions and pathways. Here, we use the all aqueous two phase system (ATPS) of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and dextran to develop all water emulsion bodies, AWE-somes, a new class of encapsulated double emulsions as potential cell mimics. AWE-somes feature rigid polyelectrolyte (PE)/nanoparticle (NP) shells and double emulsion interiors. The shells form via complexation of PE and NP at interfaces of ATPS. The NPs, excluded from the drop phase, create an osmotic stress imbalance that removes water from the encapsulated phase and draws droplets of external PEG phase into the shells to form the double emulsion interior. We demonstrate that molecules can permeate the AWE-some shells, selectively partition into the internal droplets, and undergo reaction. AWE-somes have significant potential for creating functional, biocompatible protocell systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah D Hann
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Kathleen J Stebe
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Daeyeon Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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Xue LH, Xie CY, Meng SX, Bai RX, Yang X, Wang Y, Wang S, Binks BP, Guo T, Meng T. Polymer-Protein Conjugate Particles with Biocatalytic Activity for Stabilization of Water-in-Water Emulsions. ACS Macro Lett 2017; 6:679-683. [PMID: 35650869 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.7b00294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Water-in-water (w/w) emulsions are attractive microcompartmentalized platforms due to their outstanding biocompatibility. To address the main disadvantage of poor stability that hampers their practical application, here we report a novel type of polymer-protein conjugate emulsifier obtained by Schiff base synthesis to stabilize w/w emulsions. In particular, the proposed mild approach benefits the modification of proteins of suitable size and wettability as particulate emulsifiers retaining their bioactivity. As demonstrated in a model system, the methoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG)-urease conjugate particles anchor at the w/w interfaces, where they serve as an effective emulsifier-combined-catalyst and catalyze the hydrolysis of urea in water to ammonium carbonate. Our study is unique in that it employs bioactive particles to stabilize w/w emulsions. Considering the characteristics of all-aqueous, compartmental and interfacial biocatalysis of the system, it will open up new possibilities in the life sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long-Hui Xue
- School
of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chun-Yan Xie
- School
of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shi-Xin Meng
- School
of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rui-Xue Bai
- School
of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin Yang
- School
of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yaolei Wang
- School
of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shu Wang
- School
of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bernard P. Binks
- School
of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, United Kingdom
| | - Ting Guo
- School
of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tao Meng
- School
of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, People’s Republic of China
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