Microfluidic devices for small-angle neutron scattering

López, Carlos González; Watanabe, Takeru; Adamo, Marco; Martel, Anne; Porcar, Lionel; Cabral, João T.

doi:10.1107/s1600576718007264

Cited by 21 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 110 publications

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“…For an in-plane SANS sample, a gastight container can usually be dropped into the sample position in place of the typical quartz cell. Recently, new types of sample cells, such as flow-through cells, 106 stopped-flow cells, 107 and microfluidics mixing sample cells, 108 have been developed to provide in situ conditions for more interesting membrane interactions.…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding the Structure and Dynamics of Complex Biomembrane Interactions by Neutron Scattering Techniques

2020

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The membrane is one of the key structural materials of biology at the cellular level. Composed predominantly of a bilayer of lipids with embedded and bound proteins, it defines the boundaries of the cell and many organelles essential to life and therefore is involved in almost all biological processes. Membrane-specific interactions, such as drug binding to a membrane receptor or the interactions of an antimicrobial compound with the lipid matrix of a pathogen membrane, are of interest across the scientific disciplines. Herein we present a review, aimed at nonexperts, of the major neutron scattering techniques used in membrane studies: small-angle neutron scattering, neutron membrane diffraction, neutron reflectometry, quasielastic neutron scattering, and neutron spin echo. Neutron scattering techniques are well suited to studying biological membranes. The nondestructive nature of cold neutrons means that samples can be measured for long periods without fear of beam damage from ultraviolet, electron, or X-ray radiation, and neutron beams are highly penetrating, thus offering flexibility in samples and sample environments. Most important is the strong difference in neutron scattering lengths between the two most abundant forms of hydrogen, protium and deuterium. Changing the relative amounts of protium/deuterium in a sample allows the production of a series of neutron scattering data sets, enabling the observation of differing components within complex membrane architectures. This approach can be as simple as using the naturally occurring neutron contrast between different biomolecules to study components in a complex by changing the solution H2O/D2O ratio or as complex as selectively labeling individual components with hydrogen isotopes. This review presents an overview of each experimental technique with the neutron instrument configuration, related sample preparation and sample environment, and data analysis, highlighted by a special emphasis on using prominent neutron contrast to understand structure and dynamics. This review gives researchers a practical introduction to the often enigmatic suite of neutron beamlines, thereby lowering the barrier to taking advantage of these large-facility techniques to achieve new understandings of membranes and their interactions with other molecules.

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Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding the Structure and Dynamics of Complex Biomembrane Interactions by Neutron Scattering Techniques

2020

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“…Thus, further developments, including sample environments, multi-sample changers, optimized routine operation and userfriendly software, should be considered in future research. Some of the essential sample environments (Jordan et al, 2016;Lopez et al, 2018;Wang et al, 2004;Weigandt et al, 2011) that are currently employed at ILL could be modified/ developed to fit our system and to satisfy the demand of the ILL user community. However, a multiple-sample changer with temperature control should be constructed for routine sample measurements.…”

Section: Future Developmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A novel experimental approach for nanostructure analysis: simultaneous small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering

et al. 2020

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Exploiting small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering (SAXS/SANS) on the same sample volume at the same time provides complementary nanoscale structural information in two different contrast situations. Unlike an independent experimental approach, the truly combined SAXS/SANS experimental approach ensures the exactness of the probed samples, particularly for in situ studies. Here, an advanced portable SAXS system that is dimensionally suitable for installation in the D22 zone of ILL is introduced. The SAXS apparatus is based on a Rigaku switchable copper/molybdenum microfocus rotating-anode X-ray generator and a DECTRIS detector with a changeable sample-to-detector distance of up to 1.6 m in a vacuum chamber. A case study is presented to demonstrate the uniqueness of the newly established method. Temporal structural rearrangements of both the organic stabilizing agent and organically capped gold colloidal particles during gold nanoparticle growth are simultaneously probed, enabling the immediate acquisition of correlated structural information. The new nano-analytical method will open the way for real-time investigations of a wide range of innovative nanomaterials and will enable comprehensive in situ studies on biological systems. The potential development of a fully automated SAXS/SANS system with a common control environment and additional sample environments, permitting a continual and efficient operation of the system by ILL users, is also introduced. research papers J. Appl. Cryst. (2020). 53, 722-733 Ezzeldin Metwalli et al. Simultaneous SAXS/SANS 723

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“…In addition to the high reproducibility and possible implantation of automation steps, microfluidics offers unique opportunities for online chemical and biological analyses, rheological characterization, and structural screening and analysis [ 5 , 8 , 9 , 21 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ]. These opportunities include short measurement times, a high precision of liquid modulation and control of timing and flow parameters, and use of minimal input sample volumes (particularly important for minimizing the consumption of expensive materials) [ 4 , 7 , 12 , 16 , 31 , 32 , 38 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microfluidic Nanomaterial Synthesis and In Situ SAXS, WAXS, or SANS Characterization: Manipulation of Size Characteristics and Online Elucidation of Dynamic Structural Transitions

Yaghmur

Hamad

2022

Molecules

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With the ability to cross biological barriers, encapsulate and efficiently deliver drugs and nucleic acid therapeutics, and protect the loaded cargos from degradation, different soft polymer and lipid nanoparticles (including liposomes, cubosomes, and hexosomes) have received considerable interest in the last three decades as versatile platforms for drug delivery applications and for the design of vaccines. Hard nanocrystals (including gold nanoparticles and quantum dots) are also attractive for use in various biomedical applications. Here, microfluidics provides unique opportunities for the continuous synthesis of these hard and soft nanomaterials with controllable shapes and sizes, and their in situ characterization through manipulation of the flow conditions and coupling to synchrotron small-angle X-ray (SAXS), wide-angle scattering (WAXS), or neutron (SANS) scattering techniques, respectively. Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) microfluidic devices are attractive not only for the continuous production of monodispersed nanomaterials, but also for improving our understanding of the involved nucleation and growth mechanisms during the formation of hard nanocrystals under confined geometry conditions. They allow further gaining insight into the involved dynamic structural transitions, mechanisms, and kinetics during the generation of self-assembled nanostructures (including drug nanocarriers) at different reaction times (ranging from fractions of seconds to minutes). This review provides an overview of recently developed 2D and 3D microfluidic platforms for the continuous production of nanomaterials, and their simultaneous use in in situ characterization investigations through coupling to nanostructural characterization techniques (e.g., SAXS, WAXS, and SANS).

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Microfluidic devices for small-angle neutron scattering

Abstract: A review of materials and fabrication methods provides recommendations for microdevices for small-angle neutron scattering.

Cited by 21 publications

References 110 publications

Understanding the Structure and Dynamics of Complex Biomembrane Interactions by Neutron Scattering Techniques

Understanding the Structure and Dynamics of Complex Biomembrane Interactions by Neutron Scattering Techniques

A novel experimental approach for nanostructure analysis: simultaneous small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering

Microfluidic Nanomaterial Synthesis and In Situ SAXS, WAXS, or SANS Characterization: Manipulation of Size Characteristics and Online Elucidation of Dynamic Structural Transitions

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