Microfluidic Synthesis of Microfibers for Magnetic-Responsive Controlled Drug Release and Cell Culture

Abstract

This study demonstrated the fabrication of alginate microfibers using a modular microfluidic system for magnetic-responsive controlled drug release and cell culture. A novel two-dimensional fluid-focusing technique with multi-inlets and junctions was used to spatiotemporally control the continuous laminar flow of alginate solutions. The diameter of the manufactured microfibers, which ranged from 211 µm to 364 µm, could be well controlled by changing the flow rate of the continuous phase. While the model drug, diclofenac, was encapsulated into microfibers, the drug release profile exhibited the characteristic of a proper and steady release. Furthermore, the diclofenac release kinetics from the magnetic iron oxide-loaded microfibers could be controlled externally, allowing for a rapid drug release by applying a magnetic force. In addition, the successful culture of glioblastoma multiforme cells in the microfibers demonstrated a good structural integrity and environment to grow cells that could be applied in drug screening for targeting cancer cells. The proposed microfluidic system has the advantages of ease of fabrication, simplicity, and a fast and low-cost process that is capable of generating functional microfibers with the potential for biomedical applications, such as drug controlled release and cell culture.

Synthesis and anti-fungal effect of silver nanoparticles–chitosan composite particles

“…synthesis of the ag nanoparticleschitosan composite spheres Based on our previous studies, [41][42][43][44] the one-step production of silver nanoparticles-chitosan composite spheres is shown in Figure 1. Chitosan (0.2 g, dissolved in 10 mL of 1% v/v CH 3 COOH solution) and 2% 10 mL AgNO 3 was mixed by constant stirring for 30 minutes, and then an AgNO 3 -chitosan mixture solution was obtained.…”

“…40 In addition, some hybrid materials with embedded silver nanoparticles were used against Candida spp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas sp., Aspergillus niger or Penicillium sp., and others. [40][41][42][43][44] In order to apply the silver nanoparticles composite materials to industry, developing a facile and low cost method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles polymer composite particles becomes vital.…”

Hybrid nanostructured coating for increased resistance of prosthetic devices to staphylococcal colonization

“…Due to their high biocompatibility [15] and superparamagnetic behavior, magnetite nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 ) have attracted attention to their potential applications especially in biomedical fields [16,17], such as magnetic resonance imaging [18-20], hyperthermia [21], biomedical separation and purification [22], bone cancer treatment [21], inhibition of biofilm development [23,24], stabilization of volatile organic compounds [25], antitumoral treatment without application of any alternating magnetic field [26], drug delivery or targeting [27-33], modular microfluidic system for magnetic-responsive controlled drug release, and cell culture [34]. This paper reports a new nano-modified prosthetic device surface with anti-pathogenic properties based on magnetite nanoparticles and M. piperita essential oil.…”

Improved fibronectin-immobilized fibrinogen microthreads for the attachment and proliferation of fibroblasts

“…For example, chemical etching methods can create nanostructures or nanotopographies on the surface of 3-D microfiber scaffolds by soaking the microfibers in etchants (organic solvent), such as hydrofluoric acid and NaOH, 18 which could damage and degrade the polymer scaffolds. [19][20][21] Also, electrospinning may not be suitable for aqueous soluble natural polymers (due to limitations in spinning these into fibers). Further difficulties include the observation of degradation when natural polymers are dissolved in organic solvent, the production of aligned fibers is difficult, and fibers that are too thin having low mechanical strength.…”