Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group

Papers in Scientific Journals

Biomimetic Miniaturized Platform Able to Sustain Arrays of Liquid Droplets for High-Throughput Combinatorial Tests

Abstract

The development of high-throughput and combinatorial technologies is helping to speed up research that is applicable in many areas of chemistry, engineering, and biology. A new model is proposed for flat devices for the high-throughput screening of accelerated evaluations of multiplexed processes and reactions taking place in aqueous-based environments. Superhydrophobic (SH) biomimetic surfaces based on the so-called lotus effect are produced, onto which arrays of micro-indentations allow the fixing of liquid droplets, based on the rose-petal effect. The developed platforms are able to sustain arrays of quasi-spherical microdroplets, allowing the isolation and confinement of different combinations of substances and living cells. Distinct compartmentalized physical, chemical, and biological processes may take place and be monitored in each droplet. The devices permit the addition/removal of liquid and mechanical stirring by adding magnetic microparticles into each droplet. By facing the chip downward, it is possible to produce arrays of cell spheroids developed by gravity in the suspended droplets, with the potential to be used as microtissues in drug screening tests.

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Publisher
© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
URL
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/store/10.1002/adfm.201400503/asset/adfm201400503.pdf?v=1&t=hw7ukv88&s=1b34d142aef296adaeb1d76771acffd8f7ed9179
Keywords
Biomimetics, combinatorial analysis, droplet-based micro reactors, micro reactors
Rights
Open Access
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Status
published
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