An open-source, programmable pneumatic setup for operation and automated control of single- and multi-layer microfluidic devices

Brower, Kara; Puccinelli, Robert; Markin, Craig J.; Shimko, Tyler C.; Longwell, Scott A.; Cruz, Bianca; Gómez-Sjöberg, Rafael

doi:10.1016/j.ohx.2017.10.001

Cited by 43 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Final concentrations of sulforhodamine-B and DNA, respectively, in each of these 10 solutions were: 12. Fisher Scientific 14-171-284) to a pneumatic control manifold 21 and primed with water to dead-end fill control lines. The wash inlet was connected via a steel pin and Tygon tubing to a 125 mL pressurized vessel containing 0.05% w/v Pluronic F-127 (Sigma P2443) for device flushing.…”

Section: Timing and Wash Characterizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The use of pressure-driven flow also leverages existing infrastructure required to control integrated pneumatic valves to drive fluid through the device. 16,21 Here, we describe a low-cost, open-source platform for high-throughput microfluidic IO (micrIO). It comprises an 'AutoSipper' that allows for high-throughput introduction of samples from a multiwell plate into a microfluidic device via pressure-driven flow, a 'Fraction Collector' for highthroughput sample collection from a microfluidic device into a multiwell plate or vial rack, and an open-source Python hardware-control package.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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micrIO: an open-source autosampler and fraction collector for automated microfluidic input–output

Longwell

Fordyce

2020

Lab Chip

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Section: Timing and Wash Characterizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

micrIO: an open-source autosampler and fraction collector for automated microfluidic input–output

Longwell

Fordyce

2020

Lab Chip

Self Cite

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“…Furthermore, the hardware setup comprises numerous modular elements, each of which can be expanded to allow more complex microfluidic device designs to be employed. Additionally, the modular design enables the replacement of hardware components by similarly functioning alternatives, such that users are not limited to the specific setup described here 48,49 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In such cases, the protocols here can be used to outline the general steps needed to set up the system and the requirements of each of the components. Alternative hardware setups are presented by Brower et al 48 and White and Streets 49 .…”

Section: Hardware Setupmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Multilayer Microfluidic Platform for the Conduction of Prolonged Cell-Free Gene Expression

Linden

Yelleswarapu

Pieters

et al. 2019

JoVE

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The limitations of cell-based synthetic biology are becoming increasingly apparent as researchers aim to develop larger and more complex synthetic genetic regulatory circuits. The analysis of synthetic genetic regulatory networks in vivo is time consuming and suffers from a lack of environmental control, with exogenous synthetic components interacting with host processes resulting in undesired behavior. To overcome these issues, cell-free characterization of novel circuitry is becoming more prevalent. In vitro transcription and translation (IVTT) mixtures allow the regulation of the experimental environment and can be optimized for each unique system. The protocols presented here detail the fabrication of a multilayer microfluidic device that can be utilized to sustain IVTT reactions for prolonged durations. In contrast to batch reactions, where resources are depleted over time and (by-) products accumulate, the use of microfluidic devices allows the replenishment of resources as well as the removal of reaction products. In this manner, the cellular environment is emulated by maintaining an out-of-equilibrium environment in which the dynamic behavior of gene circuits can be investigated over extended periods of time. To fully exploit the multilayer microfluidic device, hardware and software have been integrated to automate the IVTT reactions. By combining IVTT reactions with the microfluidic platform presented here, it becomes possible to comprehensively analyze complex network behaviors, furthering our understanding of the mechanisms that regulate cellular processes.

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“…Here we employ a modification of an open-sourced programmable pneumatic technology, developed for operation and automated control of single-and multi-layer microfluidic devices. [30][31][32] Following this design, we built a pneumatic system based on modular industrial automation components made by WAGO (see Figure 4). Specifically, the core of the setup was an Ethernet- of patterns to be addressed on the device was specified using the custom Matlab GUI (see Figure 4-RIGHT).…”

Section: Ii4 Pumping Automation Experimental Setup and Microscopymentioning

confidence: 99%

An Automated Addressable Microfluidics Device for Minimally Disruptive Manipulation of Cells and Fluids within Living Cultures

Tong

Pham

Shah

et al. 2019

Preprint

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According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, nearly 115,000 people in the U.S needed a lifesaving organ transplant in 2018, while only ~10% of them have received it. Yet, almost no artificial FDA-approved products are commercially available todaythree decades after the inception of tissue engineering. It is hypothesized that the major bottlenecks restricting its progress stem from lack of access to the inner pore space of the scaffolds. Specifically, the inability to deliver nutrients to, and clear waste from, the center of the scaffolds limits the size of the products that can be cultured. Likewise, the inability to monitor, and control, the cells after seeding them into the scaffold results in nonviable tissue, with an unacceptable product variability. To resolve these bottlenecks, we present a prototype addressable microfluidics device capable of minimally-invasive fluid and cell manipulation within living cultures. As proof-of-concept, we demonstrate its ability to perform additive manufacturing by seeding cells in spatial patterns (including co-culturing multiple cell types); and subtractive manufacturing, by removing surface adherent cells via targeted trypsin release. Additionally, we show that the device is capable of sampling fluids and performing cell "biopsies" (which can be subsequently sent for ex-situ testing), from any location within its culture chamber. Finally, the on-chip plumbing is completely automated using external electronics. This opens up the possibility to perform long-term computer-driven tissue engineering experiments, where the cell behavior is modulated in response to the minimally-invasive observations (e.g. fluid sampling and cell biopsies) throughout the whole duration of the cultures. It is expected that the proofof-concept technology will eventually be scaled up to 3D addressable microfluidic scaffolds, capable of overcoming the limitations bottlenecking the transition of tissue engineering technologies to the clinical setting.

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An open-source, programmable pneumatic setup for operation and automated control of single- and multi-layer microfluidic devices

Cited by 43 publications

References 35 publications

micrIO: an open-source autosampler and fraction collector for automated microfluidic input–output

micrIO: an open-source autosampler and fraction collector for automated microfluidic input–output

A Multilayer Microfluidic Platform for the Conduction of Prolonged Cell-Free Gene Expression

An Automated Addressable Microfluidics Device for Minimally Disruptive Manipulation of Cells and Fluids within Living Cultures

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