On-chip MIC by Combining Concentration Gradient Generator and Flanged Chamber Arrays.

Minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of antibiotic is an effective value to ascertain the agent and minimum dosage of inhibiting bacterial growth. However, current techniques to determine MIC are labor intensive and time-consuming, and require skilled operator and high initial concentration of bacteria. To simplify the operation and reduce the time of inhibition test, we developed a microfluidic system, containing a concentration generator and sub-micro-liter chambers, for rapid bacterial growth and inhibition test.

Microfluidic System for Observation of Bacterial Culture and Effects on Biofilm Formation at Microscale.

Biofilms exist in the natural world and applied to many industries. However, due to the variety of characteristics caused by their complex components, biofilms can also lead to membrane fouling and recurrent infections which pose threats to human health. So, to make the best use of their advantages and avoid their disadvantages, knowing the best time and methods for improving or preventing biofilm formation is important.

Bacterial Concentration Detection using a PCB-based Contactless Conductivity Sensor.

Capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C⁴D) is an improved approach to avoid the problems of labor-intensive, time-consuming and insufficient accuracy of plate count as well as the high-cost apparatus of flow cytometry (FCM) in bacterial counting. This article describes a novel electrode-integrated printed-circuit-board (PCB)-based C⁴D device, which supports the simple and safe exchange of capillaries and improves the sensitivity and repeatability of the contactless detection. Furthermore, no syringe pump is needed in the detection, it reduces the system size, and, more importantly, avoids the effect on the bacteria due to high pressure.

The first total synthesis of anemarchalconyn and anemarcoumarin A.

Anemarchalconyn (1) and anemarcoumarin A (2), the natural bioactive compounds isolated from the rhizomes of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge (Liliaceae), were first totally synthesized using easily available materials in short, convenient routes with overall yields of 32 and 48%.