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Ye S, Chin WC, Ni CW. A multi-depth spiral milli fluidic device for whole mount zebrafish antibody staining. Biomed Microdevices 2023; 25:30. [PMID: 37581716 PMCID: PMC10427545 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-023-00670-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Whole mount zebrafish antibody staining (ABS) is a common staining technique used to localize protein information in a zebrafish embryo or larva. Like most biological assays, the whole mount zebrafish ABS is still largely conducted manually through labor intensive and time-consuming steps which affect both consistency and throughput of the assay. In this work, we develop a milli fluidic device that can automatically trap and immobilize the fixed chorion-less zebrafish embryos for the whole mount ABS. With just a single loading step, the zebrafish embryos can be trapped by the milli fluidic device through a chaotic hydrodynamic trapping process. Moreover, a consistent body orientation (i.e., head point inward) for the trapped zebrafish embryos can be achieved without additional orientation adjustment device. Furthermore, we employed a consumer-grade SLA 3D printer assisted method for device prototyping which is ideal for labs with limited budgets. Notably, the milli fluidic device has enabled the optimization and successful implementation of whole mount zebrafish Caspase-3 ABS. We demonstrated our device can accelerate the overall procedure by reducing at least 50% of washing time in the standard well-plate-based manual procedure. Also, the consistency is improved, and manual steps are reduced using the milli fluidic device. This work fills the gap in the milli fluidic application for whole mount zebrafish immunohistochemistry. We hope the device can be accepted by the zebrafish community and be used for other types of whole mount zebrafish ABS procedures or expanded to more complicated in situ hybridization (ISH) procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songtao Ye
- Quantitative and Systems Biology, University of California Merced, Merced, US
| | - Wei-Chun Chin
- Quantitative and Systems Biology, University of California Merced, Merced, US.
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Merced, Merced, US.
| | - Chih-Wen Ni
- Quantitative and Systems Biology, University of California Merced, Merced, US
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Merced, Merced, US
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2
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Gimondi S, Ferreira H, Reis RL, Neves NM. Microfluidic Devices: A Tool for Nanoparticle Synthesis and Performance Evaluation. ACS NANO 2023; 17:14205-14228. [PMID: 37498731 PMCID: PMC10416572 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c01117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The use of nanoparticles (NPs) in nanomedicine holds great promise for the treatment of diseases for which conventional therapies present serious limitations. Additionally, NPs can drastically improve early diagnosis and follow-up of many disorders. However, to harness their full capabilities, they must be precisely designed, produced, and tested in relevant models. Microfluidic systems can simulate dynamic fluid flows, gradients, specific microenvironments, and multiorgan complexes, providing an efficient and cost-effective approach for both NPs synthesis and screening. Microfluidic technologies allow for the synthesis of NPs under controlled conditions, enhancing batch-to-batch reproducibility. Moreover, due to the versatility of microfluidic devices, it is possible to generate and customize endless platforms for rapid and efficient in vitro and in vivo screening of NPs' performance. Indeed, microfluidic devices show great potential as advanced systems for small organism manipulation and immobilization. In this review, first we summarize the major microfluidic platforms that allow for controlled NPs synthesis. Next, we will discuss the most innovative microfluidic platforms that enable mimicking in vitro environments as well as give insights into organism-on-a-chip and their promising application for NPs screening. We conclude this review with a critical assessment of the current challenges and possible future directions of microfluidic systems in NPs synthesis and screening to impact the field of nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Gimondi
- 3B’s
Research Group, I3Bs − Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters
of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and
Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque
de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s−PT
Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017 Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Helena Ferreira
- 3B’s
Research Group, I3Bs − Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters
of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and
Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque
de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s−PT
Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017 Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rui L. Reis
- 3B’s
Research Group, I3Bs − Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters
of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and
Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque
de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s−PT
Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017 Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno M. Neves
- 3B’s
Research Group, I3Bs − Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters
of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and
Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque
de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s−PT
Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017 Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
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3
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Khajuria DK, Karasik D. Novel model of restricted mobility induced osteopenia in zebrafish. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2021; 98:1031-1038. [PMID: 32383168 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Immobilization, such as prolonged bed rest, is a risk factor for bone loss in humans. Motivated by the emerging utility of zebrafish (Danio rerio) as an animal of choice for the study of musculoskeletal disease, here we report a model of restricted mobility induced osteopenia in adult zebrafish. Aquatic tanks with small cubical compartments to restrict the movement and locomotion of single fish were designed and fabricated for this study. Adult zebrafish were divided into two groups: a normal control (CONT) and a restricted mobility group (RMG) (18 fish/group). Six fish from each group were euthanized on days 14, 21 and 35 of the movement restriction. By using microcomputed tomography (micro-CT), we assessed bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV) and bone density in the whole skeleton of the fish. Furthermore, we assessed skeletal shape in the vertebrae (radius, length, volume, neural and haemal arch aperture areas, neural and haemal arch angle, and thickness of the intervertebral space), single vertebra bone volume and bone density. Movement restriction significantly decreased vertebral skeletal parameters such as radius, length, volume, arch aperture areas and angles as well as the thickness of the intervertebral space in RMG. Furthermore, restricted mobility significantly (P < 0.001) decreased BV/TV and bone density as compared to the CONT group, starting as early as 14 days. By analysing zebrafish from CONT and RMG, we show that micro-CT imaging is a sensitive method to quantify distinct skeletal properties in zebrafish. We further defined the micro-CT parameters which can be used to examine the effects of restricted mobility on the skeleton of the fish. Our findings propose a rapid and effective osteopenia "stabulation" model, which could be used widely for osteoporosis drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Kumar Khajuria
- The Musculoskeletal Genetics Laboratory, The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Penn State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David Karasik
- The Musculoskeletal Genetics Laboratory, The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
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4
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Panuška P, Nejedlá Z, Smejkal J, Aubrecht P, Liegertová M, Štofik M, Havlica J, Malý J. A millifluidic chip for cultivation of fish embryos and toxicity testing fabricated by 3D printing technology. RSC Adv 2021; 11:20507-20518. [PMID: 35479895 PMCID: PMC9033994 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra00846c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel design of 3D printed zebrafish millifluidic system for embryonic long-term cultivation and toxicity screening has been developed. The chip unit provides 24 cultivation chambers and a selective individual embryo removal functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Panuška
- Department of Biology
- Faculty of Science
- University of J.E. Purkyne
- 400 96 Usti nad Labem
- Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Nejedlá
- Department of Biology
- Faculty of Science
- University of J.E. Purkyne
- 400 96 Usti nad Labem
- Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Smejkal
- Department of Biology
- Faculty of Science
- University of J.E. Purkyne
- 400 96 Usti nad Labem
- Czech Republic
| | - Petr Aubrecht
- Department of Biology
- Faculty of Science
- University of J.E. Purkyne
- 400 96 Usti nad Labem
- Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Liegertová
- Department of Biology
- Faculty of Science
- University of J.E. Purkyne
- 400 96 Usti nad Labem
- Czech Republic
| | - Marcel Štofik
- Department of Biology
- Faculty of Science
- University of J.E. Purkyne
- 400 96 Usti nad Labem
- Czech Republic
| | - Jaromír Havlica
- Department of Chemistry
- Faculty of Science
- University of J.E. Purkyne
- 400 96 Usti nad Labem
- Czech Republic
| | - Jan Malý
- Department of Biology
- Faculty of Science
- University of J.E. Purkyne
- 400 96 Usti nad Labem
- Czech Republic
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5
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Edible additive effects on zebrafish cardiovascular functionality with hydrodynamic assessment. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16243. [PMID: 33004964 PMCID: PMC7530699 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73455-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Food coloring is often used as a coloring agent in foods, medicines and cosmetics, and it was reported to have certain carcinogenic and mutagenic effects in living organisms. Investigation of physiological parameters using zebrafish is a promising methodology to understand disease biology and drug toxicity for various drug discovery on humans. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a well-acknowledged model organism with combining assets such as body transparency, small size, low cost of cultivation, and high genetic homology with humans and is used as a specimen tool for the in-vivo throughput screening approach. In addition, recent advances in microfluidics show a promising alternative for zebrafish manipulation in terms of drug administration and extensive imaging capability. This pilot work highlighted the design and development of a microfluidic detection platform for zebrafish larvae through investigating the effects of food coloring on cardiovascular functionality and pectoral fin swing ability. The zebrafish embryos were exposed to the Cochineal Red and Brilliant Blue FCF pigment solution in a concentration of (0.02‰, 0.2‰) cultured in the laboratory from the embryo stage to hatching and development until 9 days post fertilization (d.p.f.). In addition, zebrafish swimming behaviors in terms of pectoral fin beating towards the toxicity screening were further studied by visualizing the induced flow field. It was evidenced that Cochineal Red pigment at a concentration of 0.2‰ not only significantly affected the zebrafish pectoral fin swing behavior, but also significantly increased the heart rate of juvenile fish. The higher concentration of Brilliant Blue FCF pigment (0.2%) increased heart rate during early embryonic stages of zebrafish. However, zebrafish exposed to food coloring did not show any significant changes in cardiac output. The applications of this proposed platform can be further extended towards observing the neurobiological/hydrodynamic behaviors of zebrafish larvae for practical applications in drug tests.
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6
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Yip JK, Harrison M, Villafuerte J, Fernandez GE, Petersen AP, Lien CL, McCain ML. Extended culture and imaging of normal and regenerating adult zebrafish hearts in a fluidic device. LAB ON A CHIP 2020; 20:274-284. [PMID: 31872200 PMCID: PMC8015799 DOI: 10.1039/c9lc01044k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Myocardial infarction and heart failure are leading causes of death worldwide, in large part because adult human myocardium has extremely limited regeneration capacity. Zebrafish are a powerful model for identifying new strategies for human cardiac repair because their hearts regenerate after relatively severe injuries. Zebrafish are also relatively scalable and compatible with many genetic tools. However, characterizing the regeneration process in live adult zebrafish hearts has proved challenging because adult fish are opaque, preventing live imaging in vivo. An alternative strategy is to explant and culture intact adult zebrafish hearts and investigate them ex vivo. However, explanted hearts maintained in conventional culture conditions experience rapid declines in morphology and physiology. To overcome these limitations, we designed and fabricated a fluidic device for culturing explanted adult zebrafish hearts with constant media perfusion that is also compatible with live imaging. We then compared the morphology and calcium activity of hearts cultured in the device, hearts cultured statically in dishes, and freshly explanted hearts. After one week of culture, hearts in the device experienced significantly less morphological degradation compared to hearts cultured in dishes. Hearts cultured in devices for one week also maintained capture rates similar to fresh hearts, unlike hearts cultured in dishes. We then cultured explanted injured hearts in the device and used live imaging techniques to continuously record the myocardial revascularization process over several days, demonstrating how our device is compatible with long-term live imaging and thereby enables unprecedented visual access to the multi-day process of adult zebrafish heart regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joycelyn K Yip
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
| | - Michael Harrison
- Heart Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA. and The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
| | - Jessi Villafuerte
- Heart Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA. and The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA and Department of Biology, California State University of San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA 92407, USA
| | - G Esteban Fernandez
- The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
| | - Andrew P Petersen
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
| | - Ching-Ling Lien
- Heart Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA. and The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA and Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Megan L McCain
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA. and Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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7
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Vianello S, Lutolf MP. Understanding the Mechanobiology of Early Mammalian Development through Bioengineered Models. Dev Cell 2019; 48:751-763. [PMID: 30913407 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2019.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 01/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Research in developmental biology has been recently enriched by a multitude of in vitro models recapitulating key milestones of mammalian embryogenesis. These models obviate the challenge posed by the inaccessibility of implanted embryos, multiply experimental opportunities, and favor approaches traditionally associated with organoids and tissue engineering. Here, we provide a perspective on how these models can be applied to study the mechano-geometrical contributions to early mammalian development, which still escape direct verification in species that develop in utero. We thus outline new avenues for robust and scalable perturbation of geometry and mechanics in ways traditionally limited to non-implanting developmental models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Vianello
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences (SV) and School of Engineering (STI), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Matthias P Lutolf
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences (SV) and School of Engineering (STI), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland; Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, School of Basic Science (SB), EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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8
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Deshpande S, Wunnava S, Hueting D, Dekker C. Membrane Tension-Mediated Growth of Liposomes. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2019; 15:e1902898. [PMID: 31365179 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201902898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Recent years have seen a tremendous interest in the bottom-up reconstitution of minimal biomolecular systems, with the ultimate aim of creating an autonomous synthetic cell. One of the universal features of living systems is cell growth, where the cell membrane expands through the incorporation of newly synthesized lipid molecules. Here, the gradual tension-mediated growth of cell-sized (≈10 µm) giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) is demonstrated, to which nanometer-sized (≈30 nm) small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) are provided, that act as a lipid source. By putting tension on the GUV membranes through a transmembrane osmotic pressure, SUV-GUV fusion events are promoted and substantial growth of the GUV is caused, even up to doubling its volume. Thus, experimental evidence is provided that membrane tension alone is sufficient to bring about membrane fusion and growth is demonstrated for both pure phospholipid liposomes and for hybrid vesicles with a mixture of phospholipids and fatty acids. The results show that growth of liposomes can be realized in a protein-free minimal system, which may find useful applications in achieving autonomous synthetic cells that are capable of undergoing a continuous growth-division cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddharth Deshpande
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Sreekar Wunnava
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - David Hueting
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Cees Dekker
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
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9
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Khalili A, Rezai P. Microfluidic devices for embryonic and larval zebrafish studies. Brief Funct Genomics 2019; 18:419-432. [DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elz006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 02/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Zebrafish or Danio rerio is an established model organism for studying the genetic, neuronal and behavioral bases of diseases and for toxicology and drug screening. The embryonic and larval stages of zebrafish have been used extensively in fundamental and applied research due to advantages offered such as body transparency, small size, low cost of cultivation and high genetic homology with humans. However, the manual experimental methods used for handling and investigating this organism are limited due to their low throughput, labor intensiveness and inaccuracy in delivering external stimuli to the zebrafish while quantifying various neuronal and behavioral responses. Microfluidic and lab-on-a-chip devices have emerged as ideal technologies to overcome these challenges. In this review paper, the current microfluidic approaches for investigation of behavior and neurobiology of zebrafish at embryonic and larval stages will be reviewed. Our focus will be to provide an overview of the microfluidic methods used to manipulate (deliver and orient), immobilize and expose or inject zebrafish embryos or larvae, followed by quantification of their responses in terms of neuron activities and movement. We will also provide our opinion in terms of the direction that the field of zebrafish microfluidics is heading toward in the area of biomedical engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arezoo Khalili
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Pouya Rezai
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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10
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Zare Mirakabad H, Farsi M, Malekzadeh Shafaroudi S, Bagheri A, Iranshahi M, Moshtaghi N. Comparison the Effect of Ferutinin and 17β-Estradiol on Bone Mineralization of Developing Zebrafish ( Danio rerio) Larvae. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20061507. [PMID: 30917511 PMCID: PMC6470982 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20061507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need to develop novel drugs for osteoporosis which occurs due to estrogen deficiency. Phytoestrogens derived from medicinal plants would be the best alternative to chemical drugs with harmful side effects. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of ferutinin compared to 17β-estradiol (E2) on bone mineralization of zebrafish larvae. Regarding the lack of publications, the histology analysis was performed after exposure to E2 to find effective treatment on bone mineralization of developing zebrafish larvae. Then, the larvae were exposed to four concentrations of ferutinin at three time points to assess the mortality, the expression of some related genes and histology of the ceratohyal and hyomandibular of treated larvae. The RT-PCR result of the treatment groups demonstrated the similar expression pattern in the larvae which were exposed to 1.25 μg/mL of ferutinin and 2 µM of E2 at 2 dpf, which confirmed the result of histology analysis. In addition, RT-qPCR of high concentration of ferutinin and E2 demonstrated that bmp2a/b and esr1 were downregulated and upregulated when the larvae were exposed to 5 μg/mL of ferutinin and 10 µM of E2, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoda Zare Mirakabad
- Department of Biotechnology and Plant Breeding, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad 91775-1163, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Farsi
- Department of Biotechnology and Plant Breeding, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad 91775-1163, Iran.
| | | | - Abdolreza Bagheri
- Department of Biotechnology and Plant Breeding, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad 91775-1163, Iran.
| | - Mehrdad Iranshahi
- Department of Pharmacognosy; Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 91886-17871, Iran.
| | - Nasrin Moshtaghi
- Department of Biotechnology and Plant Breeding, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad 91775-1163, Iran.
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11
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A Bubble-Free Microfluidic Device for Easy-to-Operate Immobilization, Culturing and Monitoring of Zebrafish Embryos. MICROMACHINES 2019; 10:mi10030168. [PMID: 30823425 PMCID: PMC6470713 DOI: 10.3390/mi10030168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The development of miniaturized devices for studying zebrafish embryos has been limited due to complicated fabrication and operation processes. Here, we reported on a microfluidic device that enabled the capture and culture of zebrafish embryos and real-time monitoring of dynamic embryonic development. The device was simply fabricated by bonding two layers of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) structures replicated from three-dimensional (3D) printed reusable molds onto a flat glass substrate. Embryos were easily loaded into the device with a pipette, docked in traps by gravity, and then retained in traps with hydrodynamic forces for long-term culturing. A degassing chamber bonded on top was used to remove air bubbles from the embryo-culturing channel and traps so that any embryo movement caused by air bubbles was eliminated during live imaging. Computational fluid dynamics simulations suggested this embryo-trapping and -retention regime to exert low shear stress on the immobilized embryos. Monitoring of the zebrafish embryogenesis over 20 h during the early stages successfully verified the performance of the microfluidic device for culturing the immobilized zebrafish embryos. Therefore, this rapid-prototyping, low-cost and easy-to-operate microfluidic device offers a promising platform for the long-term culturing of immobilized zebrafish embryos under continuous medium perfusion and the high-quality screening of the developmental dynamics.
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12
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Kim AA, Nekimken AL, Fechner S, O'Brien LE, Pruitt BL. Microfluidics for mechanobiology of model organisms. Methods Cell Biol 2018; 146:217-259. [PMID: 30037463 PMCID: PMC6418080 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2018.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical stimuli play a critical role in organ development, tissue homeostasis, and disease. Understanding how mechanical signals are processed in multicellular model systems is critical for connecting cellular processes to tissue- and organism-level responses. However, progress in the field that studies these phenomena, mechanobiology, has been limited by lack of appropriate experimental techniques for applying repeatable mechanical stimuli to intact organs and model organisms. Microfluidic platforms, a subgroup of microsystems that use liquid flow for manipulation of objects, are a promising tool for studying mechanobiology of small model organisms due to their size scale and ease of customization. In this work, we describe design considerations involved in developing a microfluidic device for studying mechanobiology. Then, focusing on worms, fruit flies, and zebrafish, we review current microfluidic platforms for mechanobiology of multicellular model organisms and their tissues and highlight research opportunities in this developing field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna A Kim
- University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, United States; Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Beth L Pruitt
- University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, United States; Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States.
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13
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Letizia MC, Cornaglia M, Trouillon R, Sorrentino V, Mouchiroud L, Bou Sleiman MS, Auwerx J, Gijs MAM. Microfluidics-enabled phenotyping of a whole population of C. elegans worms over their embryonic and post-embryonic development at single-organism resolution. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2018; 4:6. [PMID: 31057896 PMCID: PMC6220190 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-018-0003-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The organism Caenorhabditis elegans is a performant model system for studying human biological processes and diseases, but until now all phenome data are produced as population-averaged read-outs. Monitoring of individual responses to drug treatments would however be more informative. Here, a new strategy to track different phenotypic traits of individual C. elegans nematodes throughout their full life-cycle-i.e., embryonic and post-embryonic development, until adulthood onset, differently from life-span-is presented. In an automated fashion, single worms were synchronized, isolated, and cultured from egg to adulthood in a microfluidic device, where their identity was preserved during their whole development. Several phenotypes were monitored and quantified for each animal, resulting in high-content phenome data. Specifically, the method was validated by analyzing the response of C. elegans to doxycycline, an antibiotic fairly well-known to prolong the development and activate mitochondrial stress-response pathways in different species. Interestingly, the obtained extensive single-worm phenome not only confirmed the dramatic doxycycline effect on the worm developmental delay, but more importantly revealed subtle yet severe treatment-dependent phenotypes that are representative of minority subgroups and would have otherwise stayed hidden in an averaged dataset. Such heterogeneous response started during the embryonic development, which makes essential having a dedicated chip that allows including this early developmental stage in the drug assay. Our approach would therefore allow elucidating pharmaceutical or therapeutic responses that so far were still being overlooked.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Letizia
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Laboratory of Microsystems, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Matteo Cornaglia
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Laboratory of Microsystems, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Raphaël Trouillon
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Laboratory of Microsystems, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Vincenzo Sorrentino
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Mouchiroud
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Maroun S. Bou Sleiman
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Johan Auwerx
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Martin A. M. Gijs
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Laboratory of Microsystems, Lausanne, Switzerland
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14
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15
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Mohd Fuad N, Carve M, Kaslin J, Wlodkowic D. Characterization of 3D-Printed Moulds for Soft Lithography of Millifluidic Devices. MICROMACHINES 2018; 9:E116. [PMID: 30424050 PMCID: PMC6187831 DOI: 10.3390/mi9030116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Increased demand for inexpensive and rapid prototyping methods for micro- and millifluidic lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices has stimulated considerable interest in alternative cost-effective fabrication techniques. Additive manufacturing (AM)-also called three-dimensional (3D) printing-provides an attractive alternative to conventional fabrication techniques. AM has been used to produce LOC master moulds from which positive replicas are made using soft-lithography and a biocompatible elastomer, poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). Here we characterize moulds made using two AM methods-stereolithography (SLA) and material-jetting (MJ)-and the positive replicas produced by soft lithography and PDMS moulding. The results showed that SLA, more than MJ, produced finer part resolution and finer tuning of feature geometry. Furthermore, as assessed by zebrafish (Danio rerio) biotoxicity tests, there was no toxicity observed in SLA and MJ moulded PDMS replicas. We conclude that SLA, utilizing commercially available printers and resins, combined with PDMS soft-lithography, is a simple and easily accessible technique that lends its self particularly well to the fabrication of biocompatible millifluidic devices, highly suited to the in-situ analysis of small model organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurul Mohd Fuad
- School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia.
| | - Megan Carve
- School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia.
| | - Jan Kaslin
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
| | - Donald Wlodkowic
- School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia.
- Centre for Additive Manufacturing, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia.
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16
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Carve M, Wlodkowic D. 3D-Printed Chips: Compatibility of Additive Manufacturing Photopolymeric Substrata with Biological Applications. MICROMACHINES 2018; 9:E91. [PMID: 30393367 PMCID: PMC6187525 DOI: 10.3390/mi9020091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Additive manufacturing (AM) is ideal for building adaptable, structurally complex, three-dimensional, monolithic lab-on-chip (LOC) devices from only a computer design file. Consequently, it has potential to advance micro- to milllifluidic LOC design, prototyping, and production and further its application in areas of biomedical and biological research. However, its application in these areas has been hampered due to material biocompatibility concerns. In this review, we summarise commonly used AM techniques: vat polymerisation and material jetting. We discuss factors influencing material biocompatibility as well as methods to mitigate material toxicity and thus promote its application in these research fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Carve
- School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia.
| | - Donald Wlodkowic
- School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia.
- Centre for Additive Manufacturing, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia.
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17
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Kashaninejad N, Shiddiky MJA, Nguyen N. Advances in Microfluidics‐Based Assisted Reproductive Technology: From Sperm Sorter to Reproductive System‐on‐a‐Chip. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201700197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Navid Kashaninejad
- Queensland Micro‐ and Nanotechnology Centre Nathan Campus Griffith University 170 Kessels Road Brisbane QLD 4111 Australia
| | | | - Nam‐Trung Nguyen
- Queensland Micro‐ and Nanotechnology Centre Nathan Campus Griffith University 170 Kessels Road Brisbane QLD 4111 Australia
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18
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Miniaturized Sensors and Actuators for Biological Studies on Small Model Organisms of Disease. ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT, AND SUSTAINABILITY 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-7751-7_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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19
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Ellett F, Irimia D. Microstructured Devices for Optimized Microinjection and Imaging of Zebrafish Larvae. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 29286475 DOI: 10.3791/56498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish have emerged as a powerful model of various human diseases and a useful tool for an increasing range of experimental studies, spanning fundamental developmental biology through to large-scale genetic and chemical screens. However, many experiments, especially those related to infection and xenograft models, rely on microinjection and imaging of embryos and larvae, which are laborious techniques that require skill and expertise. To improve the precision and throughput of current microinjection techniques, we developed a series of microstructured devices to orient and stabilize zebrafish embryos at 2 days post fertilization (dpf) in ventral, dorsal, or lateral orientation prior to the procedure. To aid in the imaging of embryos, we also designed a simple device with channels that orient 4 zebrafish laterally in parallel against a glass cover slip. Together, the tools that we present here demonstrate the effectiveness of photolithographic approaches to generate useful devices for the optimization of zebrafish techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Ellett
- BioMEMS Resource Center, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital-Harvard Medical School-Shriners Burns Hospital;
| | - Daniel Irimia
- BioMEMS Resource Center, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital-Harvard Medical School-Shriners Burns Hospital
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20
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Nady A, Peimani AR, Zoidl G, Rezai P. A microfluidic device for partial immobilization, chemical exposure and behavioural screening of zebrafish larvae. LAB ON A CHIP 2017; 17:4048-4058. [PMID: 29068019 DOI: 10.1039/c7lc00786h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The zebrafish larva is an important vertebrate model for sensory-motor integration studies, genetic screening, and drug discovery because of its excellent characteristics such as optical transparency, genetic manipulability, and genetic similarity to humans. Operations such as precise manipulation of zebrafish larvae, controlled exposure to chemicals, and behavioural monitoring are of utmost importance to the abovementioned studies. In this work, a novel microfluidic device is presented to easily stabilize an individual larva's head using a microfluidic trap while leaving the majority of the body and the tail unhindered to move freely in a downstream chamber. The device is equipped with a microvalve to prevent the larva's escape from the trap and a microchannel beside the larva's head to expose it to chemicals at desired concentrations and times, while investigating multiple behaviours such as the tail, eye, and mouth movement frequencies. An in situ air bubble removal module was also incorporated to increase the yield of experiments. The functionality of our device in comparison to a conventional droplet-based technique was tested using l-arginine exposure and viability assays. We found that the larvae in the device and the droplet exhibit similar tail and eye response trends to nM-mM concentrations of l-arginine, and that the survival of the larvae is not affected by the device. However, the tail responses in the device were numerically higher than the droplet-tested larvae at nM-mM l-arginine concentrations. In the future, our device has the potential to be used for conducting simultaneous whole-brain functional imaging, upon optimized immobilization of the brain, and behavioural analysis to uncover differences between diseased and healthy states in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asal Nady
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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21
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Young AN, Moyle-Heyrman G, Kim JJ, Burdette JE. Microphysiologic systems in female reproductive biology. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2017; 242:1690-1700. [PMID: 29065798 PMCID: PMC5786365 DOI: 10.1177/1535370217697386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Microphysiologic systems (MPS), including new organ-on-a-chip technologies, recapitulate tissue microenvironments by employing specially designed tissue or cell culturing techniques and microfluidic flow. Such systems are designed to incorporate physiologic factors that conventional 2D or even 3D systems cannot, such as the multicellular dynamics of a tissue-tissue interface or physical forces like fluid sheer stress. The female reproductive system is a series of interconnected organs that are necessary to produce eggs, support embryo development and female health, and impact the functioning of non-reproductive tissues throughout the body. Despite its importance, the human reproductive tract has received less attention than other organ systems, such as the liver and kidney, in terms of modeling with MPS. In this review, we discuss current gaps in the field and areas for technological advancement through the application of MPS. We explore current MPS research in female reproductive biology, including fertilization, pregnancy, and female reproductive tract diseases, with a focus on their clinical applications. Impact statement This review discusses existing microphysiologic systems technology that may be applied to study of the female reproductive tract, and those currently in development to specifically investigate gametes, fertilization, embryo development, pregnancy, and diseases of the female reproductive tract. We focus on the clinical applicability of these new technologies in fields such as assisted reproductive technologies, drug testing, disease diagnostics, and personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Georgette Moyle-Heyrman
- College of Science & Technology, University of Wisconsin – Green Bay, Green Bay, WI 54311, USA
| | - J Julie Kim
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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22
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Kim JJ, Chen L, Doyle PS. Microparticle parking and isolation for highly sensitive microRNA detection. LAB ON A CHIP 2017; 17:3120-3128. [PMID: 28815227 PMCID: PMC5609827 DOI: 10.1039/c7lc00653e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Isolating small objects, such as particles, cells, and molecules, in individual aqueous droplets is useful for chemical and biological assays. We have developed a simple microfluidic platform to immobilize (park) microparticles at defined locations, and isolate particles in monodisperse droplets surrounded by immiscible oil. While conventional methods can only achieve stochastic encapsulation of objects within larger droplets, our in situ method ensures that a single particle is entrapped in a similar-sized droplet, with ∼95% yield for parking and isolation. This enables time-lapse studies of reactions in confined volumes and can be used to perform enzymatic amplification of a desired signal to improve the sensitivity of diagnostic assays. To demonstrate the utility of our technique, we perform highly sensitive, multiplexed microRNA detection by isolating encoded, functional hydrogel microparticles in small aqueous droplets. Non-fouling hydrogel microparticles are attractive for microRNA detection due to favorable capture kinetics. By encapsulating these particles in droplets and employing a generalizable enzyme amplification scheme, we demonstrate an order of magnitude improvement in detection sensitivity compared to a non-amplified assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Jung Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.
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23
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Behavioral methods for the functional assessment of hair cells in zebrafish. Front Med 2017; 11:178-190. [PMID: 28349300 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-017-0507-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2016] [Accepted: 11/24/2016] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Zebrafish is an emerging animal model for studies on auditory system. This model presents high comparability with humans, good accessibility to the hearing organ, and high throughput capacity. To better utilize this animal model, methodologies need to be used to quantify the hearing function of the zebrafish. Zebrafish displays a series of innate and robust behavior related to its auditory function. Here, we reviewed the advantage of using zebrafish in auditory research and then introduced three behavioral tests, as follows: the startle response, the vestibular-ocular reflex, and rheotaxis. These tests are discussed in terms of their physiological characteristics, up-to-date technical development, and apparatus description. Test limitation and areas to improve are also introduced. Finally, we revealed the feasibility of these applications in zebrafish behavioral assessment and their potential in the high-throughput screening on hearing-related genes and drugs.
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24
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Adams DS, Uzel SGM, Akagi J, Wlodkowic D, Andreeva V, Yelick PC, Devitt-Lee A, Pare JF, Levin M. Bioelectric signalling via potassium channels: a mechanism for craniofacial dysmorphogenesis in KCNJ2-associated Andersen-Tawil Syndrome. J Physiol 2016; 594:3245-70. [PMID: 26864374 PMCID: PMC4908029 DOI: 10.1113/jp271930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Xenopus laevis craniofacial development is a good system for the study of Andersen-Tawil Syndrome (ATS)-associated craniofacial anomalies (CFAs) because (1) Kcnj2 is expressed in the nascent face; (2) molecular-genetic and biophysical techniques are available for the study of ion-dependent signalling during craniofacial morphogenesis; (3) as in humans, expression of variant Kcnj2 forms in embryos causes a muscle phenotype; and (4) variant forms of Kcnj2 found in human patients, when injected into frog embryos, cause CFAs in the same cell lineages. Forced expression of WT or variant Kcnj2 changes the normal pattern of Vmem (resting potential) regionalization found in the ectoderm of neurulating embryos, and changes the normal pattern of expression of ten different genetic regulators of craniofacial development, including markers of cranial neural crest and of placodes. Expression of other potassium channels and two different light-activated channels, all of which have an effect on Vmem , causes CFAs like those induced by injection of Kcnj2 variants. In contrast, expression of Slc9A (NHE3), an electroneutral ion channel, and of GlyR, an inactive Cl(-) channel, do not cause CFAs, demonstrating that correct craniofacial development depends on a pattern of bioelectric states, not on ion- or channel-specific signalling. Using optogenetics to control both the location and the timing of ion flux in developing embryos, we show that affecting Vmem of the ectoderm and no other cell layers is sufficient to cause CFAs, but only during early neurula stages. Changes in Vmem induced late in neurulation do not affect craniofacial development. We interpret these data as strong evidence, consistent with our hypothesis, that ATS-associated CFAs are caused by the effect of variant Kcnj2 on the Vmem of ectodermal cells of the developing face. We predict that the critical time is early during neurulation, and the critical cells are the ectodermal cranial neural crest and placode lineages. This points to the potential utility of extant, ion flux-modifying drugs as treatments to prevent CFAs associated with channelopathies such as ATS. ABSTRACT Variants in potassium channel KCNJ2 cause Andersen-Tawil Syndrome (ATS); the induced craniofacial anomalies (CFAs) are entirely unexplained. We show that KCNJ2 is expressed in Xenopus and mouse during the earliest stages of craniofacial development. Misexpression in Xenopus of KCNJ2 carrying ATS-associated mutations causes CFAs in the same structures affected in humans, changes the normal pattern of membrane voltage potential regionalization in the developing face and disrupts expression of important craniofacial patterning genes, revealing the endogenous control of craniofacial patterning by bioelectric cell states. By altering cells' resting potentials using other ion translocators, we show that a change in ectodermal voltage, not tied to a specific protein or ion, is sufficient to cause CFAs. By adapting optogenetics for use in non-neural cells in embryos, we show that developmentally patterned K(+) flux is required for correct regionalization of the resting potentials and for establishment of endogenous early gene expression domains in the anterior ectoderm, and that variants in KCNJ2 disrupt this regionalization, leading to the CFAs seen in ATS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dany Spencer Adams
- Department of Biology and Tufts Centre for Regenerative and Developmental Biology, Tufts University, 200 Boston Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Sebastien G M Uzel
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Jin Akagi
- School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Donald Wlodkowic
- School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Viktoria Andreeva
- Department of Orthodontics, Division of Craniofacial and Molecular Genetics, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Pamela Crotty Yelick
- Department of Orthodontics, Division of Craniofacial and Molecular Genetics, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Adrian Devitt-Lee
- Department of Biology and Tufts Centre for Regenerative and Developmental Biology, Tufts University, 200 Boston Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Jean-Francois Pare
- Department of Biology and Tufts Centre for Regenerative and Developmental Biology, Tufts University, 200 Boston Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Michael Levin
- Department of Biology and Tufts Centre for Regenerative and Developmental Biology, Tufts University, 200 Boston Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
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Yang F, Gao C, Wang P, Zhang GJ, Chen Z. Fish-on-a-chip: microfluidics for zebrafish research. LAB ON A CHIP 2016; 16:1106-25. [PMID: 26923141 DOI: 10.1039/c6lc00044d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
High-efficiency zebrafish (embryo) handling platforms are crucially needed to facilitate the deciphering of the increasingly expanding vertebrate-organism model values. However, the manipulation platforms for zebrafish are scarce and rely mainly on the conventional "static" microtiter plates or glass slides with rigid gel, which limits the dynamic, three-dimensional (3D), tissue/organ-oriented information acquisition from the intact larva with normal developmental dynamics. In addition, these routine platforms are not amenable to high-throughput handling of such swimming multicellular biological entities at the single-organism level and incapable of precisely controlling the growth microenvironment by delivering stimuli in a well-defined spatiotemporal fashion. Recently, microfluidics has been developed to address these technical challenges via tailor-engineered microscale structures or structured arrays, which integrate with or interface to functional components (e.g. imaging systems), allowing quantitative readouts of small objects (zebrafish larvae and embryos) under normal physiological conditions. Here, we critically review the recent progress on zebrafish manipulation, imaging and phenotype readouts of external stimuli using these microfluidic tools and discuss the challenges that confront these promising "fish-on-a-chip" technologies. We also provide an outlook on future potential trends in this field by combining with bionanoprobes and biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Yang
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, 1 Huangjia Lake West Road, Wuhan 430065, China.
| | - Chuan Gao
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, 1 Huangjia Lake West Road, Wuhan 430065, China.
| | - Ping Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, 1 Huangjia Lake West Road, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Guo-Jun Zhang
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, 1 Huangjia Lake West Road, Wuhan 430065, China.
| | - Zuanguang Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
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Abstract
Zebrafish embryos can be obtained for research purposes in large numbers at low cost and embryos develop externally in limited space, making them highly suitable for high-throughput cancer studies and drug screens. Non-invasive live imaging of various processes within the larvae is possible due to their transparency during development, and a multitude of available fluorescent transgenic reporter lines.To perform high-throughput studies, handling large amounts of embryos and larvae is required. With such high number of individuals, even minute tasks may become time-consuming and arduous. In this chapter, an overview is given of the developments in the automation of various steps of large scale zebrafish cancer research for discovering important cancer pathways and drugs for the treatment of human disease. The focus lies on various tools developed for cancer cell implantation, embryo handling and sorting, microfluidic systems for imaging and drug treatment, and image acquisition and analysis. Examples will be given of employment of these technologies within the fields of toxicology research and cancer research.
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27
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Zhu F, Wigh A, Friedrich T, Devaux A, Bony S, Nugegoda D, Kaslin J, Wlodkowic D. Automated Lab-on-a-Chip Technology for Fish Embryo Toxicity Tests Performed under Continuous Microperfusion (μFET). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:14570-8. [PMID: 26506399 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b03838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The fish embryo toxicity (FET) biotest has gained popularity as one of the alternative approaches to acute fish toxicity tests in chemical hazard and risk assessment. Despite the importance and common acceptance of FET, it is still performed in multiwell plates and requires laborious and time-consuming manual manipulation of specimens and solutions. This work describes the design and validation of a microfluidic Lab-on-a-Chip technology for automation of the zebrafish embryo toxicity test common in aquatic ecotoxicology. The innovative device supports rapid loading and immobilization of large numbers of zebrafish embryos suspended in a continuous microfluidic perfusion as a means of toxicant delivery. Furthermore, we also present development of a customized mechatronic automation interface that includes a high-resolution USB microscope, LED cold light illumination, and miniaturized 3D printed pumping manifolds that were integrated to enable time-resolved in situ analysis of developing fish embryos. To investigate the applicability of the microfluidic FET (μFET) in toxicity testing, copper sulfate, phenol, ethanol, caffeine, nicotine, and dimethyl sulfoxide were tested as model chemical stressors. Results obtained on a chip-based system were compared with static protocols performed in microtiter plates. This work provides evidence that FET analysis performed under microperfusion opens a brand new alternative for inexpensive automation in aquatic ecotoxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adriana Wigh
- Université de Lyon, UMR LEHNA 5023, USC INRA, ENTPE, rue Maurice Audin, Vaulx-en-Velin F-69518, France
| | - Timo Friedrich
- ARMI, Monash University , Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Alain Devaux
- Université de Lyon, UMR LEHNA 5023, USC INRA, ENTPE, rue Maurice Audin, Vaulx-en-Velin F-69518, France
| | - Sylvie Bony
- Université de Lyon, UMR LEHNA 5023, USC INRA, ENTPE, rue Maurice Audin, Vaulx-en-Velin F-69518, France
| | - Dayanthi Nugegoda
- Ecotoxicology Research Group, School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University , Bowen Street, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Jan Kaslin
- ARMI, Monash University , Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Donald Wlodkowic
- Centre for Additive Manufacturing, RMIT University , 58 Cardigan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3053, Australia
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Zhu F, Skommer J, Macdonald NP, Friedrich T, Kaslin J, Wlodkowic D. Three-dimensional printed millifluidic devices for zebrafish embryo tests. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2015; 9:046502. [PMID: 26339325 PMCID: PMC4514717 DOI: 10.1063/1.4927379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Implementations of Lab-on-a-Chip technologies for in-situ analysis of small model organisms and embryos (both invertebrate and vertebrate) are attracting an increasing interest. A significant hurdle to widespread applications of microfluidic and millifluidic devices for in-situ analysis of small model organisms is the access to expensive clean room facilities and complex microfabrication technologies. Furthermore, these resources require significant investments and engineering know-how. For example, poly(dimethylsiloxane) soft lithography is still largely unattainable to the gross majority of biomedical laboratories willing to pursue development of chip-based platforms. They often turn instead to readily available but inferior classical solutions. We refer to this phenomenon as workshop-to-bench gap of bioengineering science. To tackle the above issues, we examined the capabilities of commercially available Multi-Jet Modelling (MJM) and Stereolithography (SLA) systems for low volume fabrication of optical-grade millifluidic devices designed for culture and biotests performed on millimetre-sized specimens such as zebrafish embryos. The selected 3D printing technologies spanned a range from affordable personal desktop systems to high-end professional printers. The main motivation of our work was to pave the way for off-the-shelf and user-friendly 3D printing methods in order to rapidly and inexpensively build optical-grade millifluidic devices for customized studies on small model organisms. Compared with other rapid prototyping technologies such as soft lithography and infrared laser micromachining in poly(methyl methacrylate), we demonstrate that selected SLA technologies can achieve user-friendly and rapid production of prototypes, superior feature reproduction quality, and comparable levels of optical transparency. A caution need to be, however, exercised as majority of tested SLA and MJM resins were found toxic and caused significant developmental abnormalities in zebrafish embryos. Taken together, our data demonstrate that SLA technologies can be used for rapid and accurate production of devices for biomedical research. However, polymer biotoxicity needs to be carefully evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhu
- The BioMEMS Research Group, School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University , Melbourne, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - Joanna Skommer
- The BioMEMS Research Group, School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University , Melbourne, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - Niall P Macdonald
- School of Engineering, University of Glasgow , Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Timo Friedrich
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University , Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Jan Kaslin
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University , Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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Cornaglia M, Mouchiroud L, Marette A, Narasimhan S, Lehnert T, Jovaisaite V, Auwerx J, Gijs MAM. An automated microfluidic platform for C. elegans embryo arraying, phenotyping, and long-term live imaging. Sci Rep 2015; 5:10192. [PMID: 25950235 PMCID: PMC4423638 DOI: 10.1038/srep10192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies of the real-time dynamics of embryonic development require a gentle embryo handling method, the possibility of long-term live imaging during the complete embryogenesis, as well as of parallelization providing a population's statistics, while keeping single embryo resolution. We describe an automated approach that fully accomplishes these requirements for embryos of Caenorhabditis elegans, one of the most employed model organisms in biomedical research. We developed a microfluidic platform which makes use of pure passive hydrodynamics to run on-chip worm cultures, from which we obtain synchronized embryo populations, and to immobilize these embryos in incubator microarrays for long-term high-resolution optical imaging. We successfully employ our platform to investigate morphogenesis and mitochondrial biogenesis during the full embryonic development and elucidate the role of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR(mt)) within C. elegans embryogenesis. Our method can be generally used for protein expression and developmental studies at the embryonic level, but can also provide clues to understand the aging process and age-related diseases in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Cornaglia
- Laboratory of Microsystems, Ecole Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015
Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Mouchiroud
- Laboratory for Integrative and Systems Physiology, Ecole
Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne,
CH-1015
Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alexis Marette
- Laboratory of Microsystems, Ecole Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015
Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Shreya Narasimhan
- Laboratory of Microsystems, Ecole Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015
Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Lehnert
- Laboratory of Microsystems, Ecole Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015
Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Virginija Jovaisaite
- Laboratory for Integrative and Systems Physiology, Ecole
Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne,
CH-1015
Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Johan Auwerx
- Laboratory for Integrative and Systems Physiology, Ecole
Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne,
CH-1015
Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Martin A. M. Gijs
- Laboratory of Microsystems, Ecole Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015
Lausanne, Switzerland
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30
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Li Y, Yang X, Chen Z, Zhang B, Pan J, Li X, Yang F, Sun D. Comparative toxicity of lead (Pb(2+)), copper (Cu(2+)), and mixtures of lead and copper to zebrafish embryos on a microfluidic chip. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2015; 9:024105. [PMID: 25825620 PMCID: PMC4368587 DOI: 10.1063/1.4913699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Investigations were conducted to determine acute effects of Pb(2+) and Cu(2+) presented individually and collectively on zebrafish embryos. Aquatic safety testing requires a cheap, fast, and highly efficient platform for real-time evaluation of single and mixture of metal toxicity. In this study, we have developed a microfluidic system for phenotype-based evaluation of toxic effects of Pb(2+) and Cu(2+) using zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. The microfluidic chip is composed of a disc-shaped concentration gradient generator and 24 culture chambers, which can generate one blank solution, seven mixture concentrations, and eight single concentrations for each metal solution, thus enabling the assessment of zebrafish embryos. To test the accuracy of this new chip platform, we have examined the toxicity and teratogenicity of Pb(2+) and Cu(2+) on embryos. The individual and combined impact of Pb(2+) and Cu(2+) on zebrafish embryonic development was quantitatively assessed by recording a series of physiological indicators, such as spontaneous motion at 22 hours post fertilization (hpf), mortality at 24 hpf, heartbeat and body length at 96 hpf, etc. It was found that Pb(2+) or Cu(2+) could induce deformity and cardiovascular toxicity in zebrafish embryos and the mixture could induce more severe toxicity. This chip is a multiplexed testing apparatus that allows for the examination of toxicity and teratogenicity for substances and it also can be used as a potentially cost-effective and rapid aquatic safety assessment tool.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xiujuan Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University , Guangzhou 510282, China
| | - Zuanguang Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Beibei Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jianbin Pan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xinchun Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University , Nanning 530021, China
| | - Fan Yang
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine , Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Duanping Sun
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou 510006, China
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Skommer J, Wlodkowic D. Successes and future outlook for microfluidics-based cardiovascular drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2015; 10:231-44. [PMID: 25672221 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2015.1001736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The greatest advantage of using microfluidics as a platform for the assessment of cardiovascular drug action is its ability to finely regulate fluid flow conditions, including flow rate, shear stress and pulsatile flow. At the same time, microfluidics provide means for modifying the vessel geometry (bifurcations, stenoses, complex networks), the type of surface of the vessel walls, and for patterning cells in 3D tissue-like architecture, including generation of lumen walls lined with cells and heart-on-a-chip structures for mimicking ventricular cardiomyocyte physiology. In addition, owing to the small volume of required specimens, microfluidics is ideally suited to clinical situations whereby monitoring of drug dosing or efficacy needs to be coupled with minimal phlebotomy-related drug loss. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors highlight potential applications for the currently existing and emerging technologies and offer several suggestions on how to close the development cycle of microfluidic devices for cardiovascular drug discovery. EXPERT OPINION The ultimate goal in microfluidics research for drug discovery is to develop 'human-on-a-chip' systems, whereby several organ cultures, including the vasculature and the heart, can mimic complex interactions between the organs and body systems. This would provide in vivo-like pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics for drug ADMET assessment. At present, however, the great variety of available designs does not go hand in hand with their use by the pharmaceutical community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Skommer
- RMIT University, School of Applied Sciences , Melbourne, VIC , Australia
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32
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Erickstad M, Hale LA, Chalasani SH, Groisman A. A microfluidic system for studying the behavior of zebrafish larvae under acute hypoxia. LAB ON A CHIP 2015; 15:857-866. [PMID: 25490410 DOI: 10.1039/c4lc00717d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Oxygen is essential for metabolism of animals and is a vital component of their natural habitats. Hypoxic conditions in tissue, when oxygen levels are lower than normal, change a variety of cellular processes, while environmental hypoxia can have physiological and behavioral effects on the whole animal. Larval zebrafish respond to oxygen deprivation with a characteristic set of physiological changes and motor behaviors, making them a convenient vertebrate model to study hypoxia responses. However, to date, hypoxia studies in zebrafish are limited by the existing experimental setups, which only impose hypoxia on a scale of minutes to hours. Here, we present a microfluidic system, which makes it possible to expose spatially confined unanesthetized zebrafish larvae to a broad range of hypoxic and normoxic conditions and to switch between different oxygen concentrations in the medium around the larvae on a 2 second timescale. We used the system to observe different behavioral responses of zebrafish larvae to three levels of rapidly imposed hypoxia. Larvae increased their rate of body movements in response to the strongest hypoxia and increased their rate of pectoral fin beats in response to all levels of hypoxia. Importantly, the behavior of the larvae changed within 15 seconds of the changes in the oxygen content of the medium. The proposed experimental system can be used to study the behavior of zebrafish larvae or other aquatic organisms exposed to other water-dissolved gasses or to different temporal patterns of oxygen concentration. This system can also potentially be used for testing the effects of genetic modifications and small molecule drugs and for probing neural mechanisms underlying various behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Erickstad
- Department of Physics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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Jin D, Deng B, Li JX, Cai W, Tu L, Chen J, Wu Q, Wang WH. A microfluidic device enabling high-efficiency single cell trapping. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2015; 9:014101. [PMID: 25610513 PMCID: PMC4288539 DOI: 10.1063/1.4905428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Accepted: 12/22/2014] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Single cell trapping increasingly serves as a key manipulation technique in single cell analysis for many cutting-edge cell studies. Due to their inherent advantages, microfluidic devices have been widely used to enable single cell immobilization. To further improve the single cell trapping efficiency, this paper reports on a passive hydrodynamic microfluidic device based on the "least flow resistance path" principle with geometry optimized in line with corresponding cell types. Different from serpentine structure, the core trapping structure of the micro-device consists of a series of concatenated T and inverse T junction pairs which function as bypassing channels and trapping constrictions. This new device enhances the single cell trapping efficiency from three aspects: (1) there is no need to deploy very long or complicated channels to adjust flow resistance, thus saving space for each trapping unit; (2) the trapping works in a "deterministic" manner, thus saving a great deal of cell samples; and (3) the compact configuration allows shorter flowing path of cells in multiple channels, thus increasing the speed and throughput of cell trapping. The mathematical model of the design was proposed and optimization of associated key geometric parameters was conducted based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. As a proof demonstration, two types of PDMS microfluidic devices were fabricated to trap HeLa and HEK-293T cells with relatively significant differences in cell sizes. Experimental results showed 100% cell trapping and 90% single cell trapping over 4 × 100 trap sites for these two cell types, respectively. The space saving is estimated to be 2-fold and the cell trapping speed enhancement to be 3-fold compared to previously reported devices. This device can be used for trapping various types of cells and expanded to trap cells in the order of tens of thousands on 1-cm(2) scale area, as a promising tool to pattern large-scale single cells on specific substrates and facilitate on-chip cellular assay at the single cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Jin
- Department of Precision Instruments, Tsinghua University , Beijing, China
| | - B Deng
- Institute of Electronics , Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - J X Li
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University , Beijing, China
| | - W Cai
- North Navigation Control Technology Co., Ltd. , Beijing, China
| | - L Tu
- Department of Precision Instruments, Tsinghua University , Beijing, China
| | - J Chen
- Institute of Electronics , Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Q Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University , Beijing, China
| | - W H Wang
- Department of Precision Instruments, Tsinghua University , Beijing, China
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Akagi J, Zhu F, Skommer J, Hall CJ, Crosier PS, Cialkowski M, Wlodkowic D. Microfluidic device for a rapid immobilization of zebrafish larvae in environmental scanning electron microscopy. Cytometry A 2014; 87:190-4. [PMID: 25483307 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.22603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Revised: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Small vertebrate model organisms have recently gained popularity as attractive experimental models that enhance our understanding of human tissue and organ development. Despite a large body of evidence using optical spectroscopy for the characterization of small model organism on chip-based devices, no attempts have been so far made to interface microfabricated technologies with environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). Conventional scanning electron microscopy requires high vacuum environments and biological samples must be, therefore, submitted to many preparative procedures to dehydrate, fix, and subsequently stain the sample with gold-palladium deposition. This process is inherently low-throughput and can introduce many analytical artifacts. This work describes a proof-of-concept microfluidic chip-based system for immobilizing zebrafish larvae for ESEM imaging that is performed in a gaseous atmosphere, under low vacuum mode and without any need for sample staining protocols. The microfabricated technology provides a user-friendly and simple interface to perform ESEM imaging on zebrafish larvae. Presented lab-on-a-chip device was fabricated using a high-speed infrared laser micromachining in a biocompatible poly(methyl methacrylate) thermoplastic. It consisted of a reservoir with multiple semispherical microwells designed to hold the yolk of dechorionated zebrafish larvae. Immobilization of the larvae was achieved by a gentle suction generated during blotting of the medium. Trapping region allowed for multiple specimens to be conveniently positioned on the chip-based device within few minutes for ESEM imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Akagi
- School of Applied Sciences, RMIT, University Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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35
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Angione SL, Oulhen N, Brayboy LM, Tripathi A, Wessel GM. Simple perfusion apparatus for manipulation, tracking, and study of oocytes and embryos. Fertil Steril 2014; 103:281-90.e5. [PMID: 25450296 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.09.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Revised: 09/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To develop and implement a device and protocol for oocyte analysis at a single cell level. The device must be capable of high resolution imaging, temperature control, perfusion of media, drugs, sperm, and immunolabeling reagents all at defined flow rates. Each oocyte and resultant embryo must remain spatially separated and defined. DESIGN Experimental laboratory study. SETTING University and academic center for reproductive medicine. PATIENT(S)/ANIMAL(S) Women with eggs retrieved for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles, adult female FVBN and B6C3F1 mouse strains, sea stars. INTERVENTION(S) Real-time, longitudinal imaging of oocytes after fluorescent labeling, insemination, and viability tests. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Cell and embryo viability, immunolabeling efficiency, live cell endocytosis quantification, precise metrics of fertilization, and embryonic development. RESULT(S) Single oocytes were longitudinally imaged after significant changes in media, markers, endocytosis quantification, and development, all with supreme control by microfluidics. Cells remained viable, enclosed, and separate for precision measurements, repeatability, and imaging. CONCLUSION(S) We engineered a simple device to load, visualize, experiment, and effectively record individual oocytes and embryos without loss of cells. Prolonged incubation capabilities provide longitudinal studies without need for transfer and potential loss of cells. This simple perfusion apparatus provides for careful, precise, and flexible handling of precious samples facilitating clinical IVF approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L Angione
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Nathalie Oulhen
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Lynae M Brayboy
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women & Infants Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island; The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Anubhav Tripathi
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Gary M Wessel
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
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36
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Zhu F, Skommer J, Huang Y, Akagi J, Adams D, Levin M, Hall CJ, Crosier PS, Wlodkowic D. Fishing on chips: up-and-coming technological advances in analysis of zebrafish and Xenopus embryos. Cytometry A 2014; 85:921-32. [PMID: 25287981 PMCID: PMC10472801 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.22571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2014] [Revised: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 08/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Biotests performed on small vertebrate model organisms provide significant investigative advantages as compared with bioassays that employ cell lines, isolated primary cells, or tissue samples. The main advantage offered by whole-organism approaches is that the effects under study occur in the context of intact physiological milieu, with all its intercellular and multisystem interactions. The gap between the high-throughput cell-based in vitro assays and low-throughput, disproportionally expensive and ethically controversial mammal in vivo tests can be closed by small model organisms such as zebrafish or Xenopus. The optical transparency of their tissues, the ease of genetic manipulation and straightforward husbandry, explain the growing popularity of these model organisms. Nevertheless, despite the potential for miniaturization, automation and subsequent increase in throughput of experimental setups, the manipulation, dispensing and analysis of living fish and frog embryos remain labor-intensive. Recently, a new generation of miniaturized chip-based devices have been developed for zebrafish and Xenopus embryo on-chip culture and experimentation. In this work, we review the critical developments in the field of Lab-on-a-Chip devices designed to alleviate the limits of traditional platforms for studies on zebrafish and clawed frog embryo and larvae. © 2014 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhu
- School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joanna Skommer
- School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yushi Huang
- School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jin Akagi
- School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Dany Adams
- Department of Biology and Tufts Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts
| | - Michael Levin
- Department of Biology and Tufts Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts
| | - Chris J. Hall
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Philip S. Crosier
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Donald Wlodkowic
- School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
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37
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Abstract
The process of de novo vessel formation, called angiogenesis, is essential for tumor progression and spreading. Targeting of molecular pathways involved in such tumor angiogenetic processes by using specific drugs or inhibitors is important for developing new anticancer therapies. Drug discovery remains to be the main focus for biomedical research and represents the essence of antiangiogenesis cancer research. To pursue these molecular and pharmacological goals, researchers need to use animal models that facilitate the elucidation of tumor angiogenesis mechanisms and the testing of antiangiogenic therapies. The past few years have seen the zebrafish system emerge as a valid model organism to study developmental angiogenesis and, more recently, as an alternative vertebrate model for cancer research. In this review, we will discuss why the zebrafish model system has the advantage of being a vertebrate model equipped with easy and powerful transgenesis as well as imaging tools to investigate not only physiological angiogenesis but also tumor angiogenesis. We will also highlight the potential of zebrafish for identifying antitumor angiogenesis drugs to block tumor development and progression. We foresee the zebrafish model as an important system that can possibly complement well-established mouse models in cancer research to generate novel insights into the molecular mechanism of the tumor angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo M Santoro
- From the Laboratory of Endothelial Molecular Biology, Vesalius Research Center, Katholieke University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; and Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.
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38
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Integrated chip-based physiometer for automated fish embryo toxicity biotests in pharmaceutical screening and ecotoxicology. Cytometry A 2014; 85:537-47. [DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.22464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2014] [Revised: 03/05/2014] [Accepted: 03/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Akagi J, Hall CJ, Crosier KE, Cooper JM, Crosier PS, Wlodkowic D. OpenSource lab-on-a-chip physiometer for accelerated zebrafish embryo biotests. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 67:9.44.1-9.44.16. [PMID: 24510773 DOI: 10.1002/0471142956.cy0944s67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo assays have recently come into the spotlight as convenient experimental models in both biomedicine and ecotoxicology. As a small aquatic model organism, zebrafish embryo assays allow for rapid physiological, embryo-, and genotoxic tests of drugs and environmental toxins that can be simply dissolved in water. This protocol describes prototyping and application of an innovative, miniaturized, and polymeric chip-based device capable of immobilizing a large number of living fish embryos for real-time and/or time-lapse microscopic examination. The device provides a physical address designation to each embryo during analysis, continuous perfusion of medium, and post-analysis specimen recovery. Miniaturized embryo array is a new concept of immobilization and real-time drug perfusion of multiple individual and developing zebrafish embryos inside the mesofluidic device. The OpenSource device presented in this protocol is particularly suitable to perform accelerated fish embryo biotests in ecotoxicology and phenotype-based pharmaceutical screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Akagi
- The OpenTech Factory, School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Chris J Hall
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kathryn E Crosier
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jonathan M Cooper
- School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Philip S Crosier
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Donald Wlodkowic
- The OpenTech Factory, School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
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40
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Zheng C, Zhou H, Liu X, Pang Y, Zhang B, Huang Y. Fish in chips: an automated microfluidic device to study drug dynamics in vivo using zebrafish embryos. Chem Commun (Camb) 2014; 50:981-4. [DOI: 10.1039/c3cc47285j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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41
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Hamon M, Hong JW. New tools and new biology: recent miniaturized systems for molecular and cellular biology. Mol Cells 2013; 36:485-506. [PMID: 24305843 PMCID: PMC3887968 DOI: 10.1007/s10059-013-0333-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2013] [Accepted: 11/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in applied physics and chemistry have led to the development of novel microfluidic systems. Microfluidic systems allow minute amounts of reagents to be processed using μm-scale channels and offer several advantages over conventional analytical devices for use in biological sciences: faster, more accurate and more reproducible analytical performance, reduced cell and reagent consumption, portability, and integration of functional components in a single chip. In this review, we introduce how microfluidics has been applied to biological sciences. We first present an overview of the fabrication of microfluidic systems and describe the distinct technologies available for biological research. We then present examples of microsystems used in biological sciences, focusing on applications in molecular and cellular biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Hamon
- Materials Research and Education Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849,
USA
| | - Jong Wook Hong
- Materials Research and Education Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849,
USA
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-741,
Korea
- Department of Bionano Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan 426-791,
Korea
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42
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43
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Baurand PE, de Vaufleury A, Scheifler R, Capelli N. Coupling of random amplified polymorphic DNA profiles analysis and high resolution capillary electrophoresis system for the assessment of chemical genotoxicity. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 47:9505-9513. [PMID: 23927493 DOI: 10.1021/es4021519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) can be toxic to terrestrial snails, but few data are available about its genotoxic effects on early life stages (ELS). The aim of this study was to investigate the genotoxic potential of Cd in embryos of Helix aspersa using a new approach that couples Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and a high-resolution capillary electrophoresis system (HRS). Clutches of H. aspersa were exposed to Cd solutions (2, 4, and 6 mg/L) from the beginning of their embryonic development. In addition to a dose-dependent effect of Cd on hatching rate, DNA fragmentation was observed in embryos that were exposed to 6 mg Cd/L. The analysis of RAPD products with HRS showed differences between the profiles of exposed and nonexposed embryos, starting at 2 mg Cd/L. In comparison to the profiles of the control samples, all profiles from the exposed snails exhibited an additional 270 bp DNA fragment and lacked a 450 bp DNA fragment. These profile modifications are related to the genotoxic effect of Cd on the ELS of H. aspersa . Our study demonstrates the efficacy of coupling RAPD and HRS for a rapid and efficient screening of the effects of chemicals on DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Emmanuel Baurand
- Chrono-Environment, UMR 6249, University of Franche-Comté/CNRS , Place Leclerc, 25000 Besançon, France
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44
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Abstract
Zebrafish offer a unique vertebrate model for research areas such as drug development, disease modeling and other biological exploration. There is significant conservation of genetics and other cellular networks among zebrafish and other vertebrate models, including humans. Here we discuss the recent work and efforts made in different fields of biology to explore the potential of zebrafish. Along with this, we also reviewed the concept of systems biology. A biological system is made up of a large number of components that interact in a huge variety of combinations. To understand completely the behavior of a system, it is important to know its components and interactions, and this can be achieved through a systems biology approach. At the end of the paper we present a concept of integrating zebrafish into the systems biology approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mian Yahya Mushtaq
- a Natural Products Laboratory, Institute of Biology, Leiden University , Leiden , The Netherlands
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45
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Toward embedded laboratory automation for smart Lab-on-a-Chip embryo arrays. Biosens Bioelectron 2013; 48:188-96. [PMID: 23685315 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2013.04.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2013] [Revised: 04/17/2013] [Accepted: 04/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC) biomicrofluidic technologies are rapidly emerging bioanalytical tools that can miniaturize and revolutionize in situ research on embryos of small vertebrate model organisms such as zebrafish (Danio rerio) and clawed African frog (Xenopus laevis). Despite considerable progress being made in fabrication techniques of chip-based devices, they usually still require excessive and manual actuation and data acquisition that significantly reduce throughput and introduce operator-related analytical bias. This work describes the development of a proof-of-concept embedded platform that integrates an innovative LOC zebrafish embryo array technology with an electronic interface to provide higher levels of laboratory automation for in situ biotests. The integrated platform was designed to perform automatic immobilization, culture and treatment of developing zebrafish embryos during fish embryo toxicity (FET) biotests. The system was equipped with a stepper motor driven stage, solenoid-actuated pinch valves, miniaturized peristaltic pumps as well as Peltier heating module. Furthermore, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) was used to implement an embedded hardware/software solution and interface to enable real-time control over embryo loading and immobilization; accurate microfluidic flow control; temperature stabilization and also automatic time-resolved image acquisition of developing zebrafish embryos. This work presents evidence that integration of embedded electronic interfaces with microfluidic chip-based technologies can bring the Lab-on-a-Chip a step closer to fully automated analytical systems.
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Swain JE, Lai D, Takayama S, Smith GD. Thinking big by thinking small: application of microfluidic technology to improve ART. LAB ON A CHIP 2013; 13:1213-24. [PMID: 23400523 DOI: 10.1039/c3lc41290c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) laboratories often carry a penchant to resist change while in the pursuit of maintaining consistency in laboratory conditions. However, implementation of new technology is often critical to expand scientific discoveries and to improve upon prior successes to advance the field. Microfluidic platforms represent a technology that has the potential to revolutionize the fundamental processes of IVF. While the focus of microfluidic application in IVF has centered on embryo culture, the innovative platforms carry tremendous potential to improve other procedural steps and represents a possible paradigm shift in how we handle gametes and embryos. The following review will highlight application of various microfluidic platforms in IVF for use in maturation, manipulation, culture, cryopreservation and non-invasive quality assessment; pointing out new insights gained into functions of sperm, oocytes and embryos. Platform design and function will also be discussed, focusing on limitations, advancements and future refinements that can further aid in their clinical implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Swain
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Abstract
Here we describe a protocol for the fabrication and use of a microfluidic device to rapidly orient >700 Drosophila embryos in parallel for end-on imaging. The protocol describes master microfabrication (∼1 d), polydimethylsiloxane molding (few hours), system setup and device operation (few minutes) and imaging (depending on application). Our microfluidics-based approach described here is one of the first to facilitate rapid orientation for end-on imaging, and it is a major breakthrough for quantitative studies on Drosophila embryogenesis. The operating principle of the embryo trap is based on passive hydrodynamics, and it does not require direct manipulation of embryos by the user; biologists following the protocol should be able to repeat these procedures. The compact design and fabrication materials used allow the device to be used with traditional microscopy setups and do not require specialized fixtures. Furthermore, with slight modification, this array can be applied to the handling of other model organisms and oblong objects.
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Molecular Surveillance of Viral Processes Using Silicon Nitride Membranes. MICROMACHINES 2013. [DOI: 10.3390/mi4010090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Sivagnanam V, Gijs MAM. Exploring Living Multicellular Organisms, Organs, and Tissues Using Microfluidic Systems. Chem Rev 2013; 113:3214-47. [DOI: 10.1021/cr200432q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Martin A. M. Gijs
- Laboratory
of Microsystems, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne,
Switzerland
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Hwang H, Lu H. Microfluidic tools for developmental studies of small model organisms--nematodes, fruit flies, and zebrafish. Biotechnol J 2013; 8:192-205. [PMID: 23161817 PMCID: PMC3918482 DOI: 10.1002/biot.201200129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2012] [Revised: 09/13/2012] [Accepted: 09/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Studying the genetics of development with small model organisms such as the zebrafish (Danio Rerio), the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster), and the soil-dwelling nematode (Caenorhabditis elegans), provide unique opportunities for understanding related processes and diseases in humans. These model organisms also have potential for use in drug discovery and toxicity-screening applications. There have been sweeping developments in microfabrication and microfluidic technologies for manipulating and imaging small objects, including small model organisms, which allow high-throughput quantitative biological studies. Here, we review recent progress in microfluidic tools able to manipulate small organisms and project future directions and applications of these techniques and technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyundoo Hwang
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA, USA, Tel: +1-404-894-8473
| | - Hang Lu
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA, USA, Tel: +1-404-894-8473
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