All organic nanomedicine for PDT-PTT combination therapy of cancer cells in hypoxia.

Photodynamic and photothermal therapies are promising treatments for cancer, dermatological, and ophthalmological conditions. However, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is less effective in oxygen-deficient tumor environments. Combining PDT with photothermal therapy (PTT) can enhance oxygen supply and treatment efficacy.

A hybrid fluorescent nanofiber membrane integrated with microfluidic chips towards lung-on-a-chip applications.

Here, we report a fluorescent electrospun nanofiber membrane for integration into microfluidic devices towards lung-on-a-chip applications complemented with the results of computational fluid dynamics modelling. A proposed hybrid poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)-collagen membrane was developed, characterized, tested, and integrated into a prototype microfluidic chip for biocompatibility studies. The resulting membrane has a thickness of approximately 10 μm, can be adjusted for appropriate porosity, and offers excellent biocompatibility for mimicry of a basement membrane to be used in lung-on-a-chip device applications.

Design, Simulation, and Evaluation of Polymer-Based Microfluidic Devices via Computational Fluid Dynamics and Cell Culture "On-Chip".

Organ-on-a-chip (OoC) technology has experienced exponential growth driven by the need for a better understanding of in-organ processes and the development of novel approaches. This paper investigates and compares the flow behavior and filling characteristics of two microfluidic liver-on-a-chip devices using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis and experimental cell culture growth based on the Huh7 cell line. The conducted computational analyses for the two chips showed that the elliptical chamber chip proposed herein offers improved flow and filling characteristics in comparison with the previously presented circular chamber chip.

Microfluidic Organ-on-a-Chip Devices for Liver Disease Modeling In Vitro.

Mortality from liver disease conditions continues to be very high. As liver diseases manifest and progress silently, prompt measures after diagnosis are essential in the treatment of these conditions. Microfluidic organs-on-chip platforms have significant potential for the study of the pathophysiology of liver diseases in vitro.

Development of a Hybrid Polymer-Based Microfluidic Platform for Culturing Hepatocytes towards Liver-on-a-Chip Applications.

The drug development process can greatly benefit from liver-on-a-chip platforms aiming to recapitulate the physiology, mechanisms, and functionalities of liver cells in an in vitro environment. The liver is the most important organ in drug metabolism investigation. Here, we report the development of a hybrid cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic (HCP) platform to culture a Huh7 hepatoma cell line in dynamic conditions towards the development of a liver-on-a-chip system.

Liver microphysiological platforms for drug metabolism applications.

Drug development is a costly and lengthy process with low success rates. To improve the efficiency of drug development, there has been an increasing need in developing alternative methods able to eliminate toxic compounds early in the drug development pipeline. Drug metabolism plays a key role in determining the efficacy of a drug and its potential side effects.

Impact of electromagnetic fields on in vitro toxicity of silver and graphene nanoparticles.

The correlation between shape and concentration of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), their cytotoxicity and formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the presence of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) has been investigated. In addition, the bio-effects caused by the combination of EMFs and graphene nanoparticles (GrNPs) have been also assessed. The AgNPs of three shapes (triangular, spherical and colloidal) and GrNPs were added in high concentrations to the culture of human fibroblasts and exposed to EMF of three different frequencies: 900, 2400 and 7500 MHz.

Simplified immobilisation method for histidine-tagged enzymes in poly(methyl methacrylate) microfluidic devices.

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microfluidic devices have become promising platforms for a wide range of applications. Here we report a simple method for immobilising histidine-tagged enzymes suitable for PMMA microfluidic devices. The 1-step-immobilisation described is based on the affinity of the His-tag/Ni-NTA interaction and does not require prior amination of the PMMA surface, unlike many existing protocols.

Therapeutic Potential of Noble Nanoparticles for Wound Repair.

Introduction: Nanoparticles made of noble metals, such as gold and silver, have a great potential to be effectively employed for wound management. The nano-size of such particles provides an opportunity to enlarge the contacting area, which results in more effective anti-bacterial action and faster wound repair. It must be noted that the shape of noble nanoparticles might play a crucial role in the manifestation of their anti-microbial properties.

In vitro and in vivo imaging of peptide-encapsulated polymer nanoparticles for cancer biomarker activated drug delivery.

Gelatin nanoparticles coated with Cathepsin D-specific peptides were developed as a vehicle for the targeted delivery of the cancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) to treat breast malignancy. Cathepsin D, a breast cancer cell secretion enzyme, triggered the release of DOX by digesting the protective peptide-coating layer of nanoparticles. Fabricated nanoparticles were successfully detected with ultrasound imaging in both in vitro conditions and in vivo mouse cancer models.

Microparticle and cell counting with digital microfluidic compact disc using standard CD drive.

Lab-on-chip medical diagnostics in a global health setting would greatly benefit from highly portable, cost effective and readily available devices. Digital compact disc (CD) and the corresponding detection device-CD drives-for personal computers are extremely affordable and distributable worldwide, therefore they can be immediately used in global health applications if empowered with molecular and cellular biosensing functions. Here we present a novel digital microfluidic CD device derived from conventional music or data CD and demonstrate its preliminary application of counting polystyrene microparticles and living cells in minute-volume fluidic samples.