Pathological angiogenesis, such as that observed in wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is difficult to reproduce in vitro using human-relevant models. Although organ-on-chip (OoC) systems incorporating retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and endothelial barriers have been reported, models integrating human retinal organoids with vascular networks remain limited. Here, we present a fully 3D-printed microfluidic platform for co-culture of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived retinal organoids containing intrinsic RPE regions with endothelial cells. The device, fabricated from flexible thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) on a transparent polyvinyl chloride (PVC) substrate, supports three-dimensional co-culture within a fibrin-Matrigel matrix. In this system, endothelial cells formed organized vascular networks that localized around RPE-associated regions of retinal organoids without direct tissue invasion. Organoid-endothelial co-culture resulted in increased VEGF secretion, while exogenous VEGF further enhanced endothelial localization near RPE regions without affecting organoid growth. Functional assays using fluorescent dextran and rhodamine-labeled liposomal nanoparticles demonstrated spatially restricted and time-dependent transport along vascularized regions adjacent to the organoid interface. This retinal organoid-on-chip provides a simple and robust in vitro platform for studying retinal-vascular interactions and vascular-mediated transport processes.
{"title":"Development of a 3D-printed microfluidic chip for retinal organoid-endothelial co-culture.","authors":"Rodi Kado Abdalkader, Shigeru Kawakami, Yuuki Takashima, Takuya Fujita","doi":"10.1039/d5lc00939a","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5lc00939a","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pathological angiogenesis, such as that observed in wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is difficult to reproduce <i>in vitro</i> using human-relevant models. Although organ-on-chip (OoC) systems incorporating retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and endothelial barriers have been reported, models integrating human retinal organoids with vascular networks remain limited. Here, we present a fully 3D-printed microfluidic platform for co-culture of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived retinal organoids containing intrinsic RPE regions with endothelial cells. The device, fabricated from flexible thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) on a transparent polyvinyl chloride (PVC) substrate, supports three-dimensional co-culture within a fibrin-Matrigel matrix. In this system, endothelial cells formed organized vascular networks that localized around RPE-associated regions of retinal organoids without direct tissue invasion. Organoid-endothelial co-culture resulted in increased VEGF secretion, while exogenous VEGF further enhanced endothelial localization near RPE regions without affecting organoid growth. Functional assays using fluorescent dextran and rhodamine-labeled liposomal nanoparticles demonstrated spatially restricted and time-dependent transport along vascularized regions adjacent to the organoid interface. This retinal organoid-on-chip provides a simple and robust <i>in vitro</i> platform for studying retinal-vascular interactions and vascular-mediated transport processes.</p>","PeriodicalId":85,"journal":{"name":"Lab on a Chip","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146103124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
We present a disposable lab-on-a-chip (LoC) for colorimetric enzyme activity monitoring in solid-state fermentation (SSF) processes. The microfluidic chip structures are fabricated via roll-to-roll (R2R) extrusion coating, which reduces costs and enhances efficiency. The LoC operates on capillary-driven flow microfluidics in which a droplet added at the inlet self-fills the chip by capillary action, reaching the reaction chamber. A capillary pump then removes excess liquid, isolating the detection area where the enzymatic reaction takes place. The selection of the target enzymes (α-amylase and cellulase) was made based on their relevance to the industrial biodetergent production processes. For LoC compatibility, enzymatic assays must deliver a strong signal and must be user-friendly. One-step colorimetric assays meet these criteria by releasing a dye from a substrate through enzymatic action. To make the chip easier to handle, the enzymatic substrates were integrated into its reaction chamber in dryed form. For this purpose, two strategies for integration were tested: drop-casting followed by freeze-drying, and piezoelectric deposition with air-drying. Additionally, storage conditions were optimized to enhance shelf-life and reagent stability. To measure enzymatic activity, a pocket-sized colorimetric reader was developed and adapted to the LoC geometry while an Android app was created to enable smartphone-based control of the reader. Furthermore, validation with commercial enzymes established the limit of detection (LoD), and subsequent tests with SSF samples from an industrial plant confirmed the functionality of the system. The enzymatic activity measurements are completed in under 10 minutes, revealing increasing enzymatic activity as fermentation progresses. In conclusion, the LoC provides a quick and cost-effective solution for detecting α-amylase and cellulase in samples derived from SSF processes.
{"title":"Lab-on-a-chip for enzyme activity monitoring in industrial solid-state fermentation processes compatible with R2R fabrication.","authors":"Verónica Mora-Sanz,Alvaro Conde,Elisabeth Hengge,Conor O'Sullivan,Andoni Rodriguez,Caroline Hennigs,Maciej Skolimowski,Nastasia Okulova,Jan Kafka,Bernd Nidetzky,Ana Ayerdi,Matija Strbac,Martin Smolka,Goran Bijelic,Nerea Briz","doi":"10.1039/d5lc00528k","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5lc00528k","url":null,"abstract":"We present a disposable lab-on-a-chip (LoC) for colorimetric enzyme activity monitoring in solid-state fermentation (SSF) processes. The microfluidic chip structures are fabricated via roll-to-roll (R2R) extrusion coating, which reduces costs and enhances efficiency. The LoC operates on capillary-driven flow microfluidics in which a droplet added at the inlet self-fills the chip by capillary action, reaching the reaction chamber. A capillary pump then removes excess liquid, isolating the detection area where the enzymatic reaction takes place. The selection of the target enzymes (α-amylase and cellulase) was made based on their relevance to the industrial biodetergent production processes. For LoC compatibility, enzymatic assays must deliver a strong signal and must be user-friendly. One-step colorimetric assays meet these criteria by releasing a dye from a substrate through enzymatic action. To make the chip easier to handle, the enzymatic substrates were integrated into its reaction chamber in dryed form. For this purpose, two strategies for integration were tested: drop-casting followed by freeze-drying, and piezoelectric deposition with air-drying. Additionally, storage conditions were optimized to enhance shelf-life and reagent stability. To measure enzymatic activity, a pocket-sized colorimetric reader was developed and adapted to the LoC geometry while an Android app was created to enable smartphone-based control of the reader. Furthermore, validation with commercial enzymes established the limit of detection (LoD), and subsequent tests with SSF samples from an industrial plant confirmed the functionality of the system. The enzymatic activity measurements are completed in under 10 minutes, revealing increasing enzymatic activity as fermentation progresses. In conclusion, the LoC provides a quick and cost-effective solution for detecting α-amylase and cellulase in samples derived from SSF processes.","PeriodicalId":85,"journal":{"name":"Lab on a Chip","volume":"23 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146072904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lab-on-a-chip (LoC) technology has emerged as a transformative platform for biomarker detection, integrating multiple analytical processes within a single microfluidic device. Advances in microfabrication and fluid dynamics have enabled the development of miniaturized, automated assays characterized by high sensitivity, rapid analysis, and portability. These advances facilitate diverse applications, including nucleic acid and protein analysis, as well as multiplexed biomolecular detection. LoC systems are particularly impactful for early cancer screening, infectious disease diagnostics, and real-time health monitoring. Integration with multi-omics approaches further enhances their capacity to elucidate complex disease mechanisms, thereby advancing precision medicine. Continued innovation in materials science, device architecture, and system integration promises to enhance the diagnostic performance, cost-effectiveness, and reliability of LoC systems across clinical settings. This review summarizes recent progress in LoC-based biomarker detection, highlighting innovations in fabrication, assay integration, and practical applications. It also discusses prevailing challenges and future research directions, offering insights into how LoC technology is poised to shape the next generation of precision diagnostics.
{"title":"Lab-on-a-chip for biomarker detection: advances, practical applications, and future perspectives.","authors":"Tianfeng Xu,Hao Bai,Jie Hu,Limei Zhang,Weihua Zhuang,Chang Zou,Yongchao Yao,Wenchuang Walter Hu,Jin Huang","doi":"10.1039/d5lc00986c","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5lc00986c","url":null,"abstract":"Lab-on-a-chip (LoC) technology has emerged as a transformative platform for biomarker detection, integrating multiple analytical processes within a single microfluidic device. Advances in microfabrication and fluid dynamics have enabled the development of miniaturized, automated assays characterized by high sensitivity, rapid analysis, and portability. These advances facilitate diverse applications, including nucleic acid and protein analysis, as well as multiplexed biomolecular detection. LoC systems are particularly impactful for early cancer screening, infectious disease diagnostics, and real-time health monitoring. Integration with multi-omics approaches further enhances their capacity to elucidate complex disease mechanisms, thereby advancing precision medicine. Continued innovation in materials science, device architecture, and system integration promises to enhance the diagnostic performance, cost-effectiveness, and reliability of LoC systems across clinical settings. This review summarizes recent progress in LoC-based biomarker detection, highlighting innovations in fabrication, assay integration, and practical applications. It also discusses prevailing challenges and future research directions, offering insights into how LoC technology is poised to shape the next generation of precision diagnostics.","PeriodicalId":85,"journal":{"name":"Lab on a Chip","volume":"3 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146072905","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Devin Veerman, Carlos Cuartas-Vélez, Tarek Gensheimer, Tomas Van Dorp, Andries D. van der Meer, Nienke Bosschaart
Vision-impairing diseases negatively affect the quality of life of patients and many originate or manifest in the retina and the underlying vascular bed, the choroidal microvasculature. Optical coherence tomography is a widely used clinical technology to detect, monitor and diagnose disorders of the retina and choroid. Currently, there are limited experimental platforms that correlate observed changes in clinical metrics with underlying mechanisms of disease progression. Organ-on-chips have the potential to offer a platform for correlative studies. Previous studies have demonstrated that the three-dimensional complexity of the choroidal microvasculature can also be captured in a vesselon-chip. Yet, current vessel-on-chip imaging analysis is based on end-point read-outs that provide limited dynamic information and do not have direct correlation with imaging techniques used in the clinic. Therefore, there is a need for clinically relevant, label-free, real-time imaging technologies. In this work, we show that optical coherence tomography can fulfill this need by providing non-invasive, label-free imaging of vascular networks-on-chip. We show that optical coherence tomography can detect and can be used to quantify changes in vascular network structures over multiple days, both during vascular network development and in response to disease-associated conditions. Our results indicate that optical coherence tomography has the potential to become a standard read-out for monitoring dynamic processes in organ-on-chips. In the future, this may enable the correlation of clinical metrics with those obtained in retina-on-chips which could provide deeper insights in the pathophysiology of retinal diseases.
{"title":"Label-free assessment of a microfluidic vessel-on-chip model with visible-light optical tomography reveals structural changes in vascular networks","authors":"Devin Veerman, Carlos Cuartas-Vélez, Tarek Gensheimer, Tomas Van Dorp, Andries D. van der Meer, Nienke Bosschaart","doi":"10.1039/d5lc00927h","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5lc00927h","url":null,"abstract":"Vision-impairing diseases negatively affect the quality of life of patients and many originate or manifest in the retina and the underlying vascular bed, the choroidal microvasculature. Optical coherence tomography is a widely used clinical technology to detect, monitor and diagnose disorders of the retina and choroid. Currently, there are limited experimental platforms that correlate observed changes in clinical metrics with underlying mechanisms of disease progression. Organ-on-chips have the potential to offer a platform for correlative studies. Previous studies have demonstrated that the three-dimensional complexity of the choroidal microvasculature can also be captured in a vesselon-chip. Yet, current vessel-on-chip imaging analysis is based on end-point read-outs that provide limited dynamic information and do not have direct correlation with imaging techniques used in the clinic. Therefore, there is a need for clinically relevant, label-free, real-time imaging technologies. In this work, we show that optical coherence tomography can fulfill this need by providing non-invasive, label-free imaging of vascular networks-on-chip. We show that optical coherence tomography can detect and can be used to quantify changes in vascular network structures over multiple days, both during vascular network development and in response to disease-associated conditions. Our results indicate that optical coherence tomography has the potential to become a standard read-out for monitoring dynamic processes in organ-on-chips. In the future, this may enable the correlation of clinical metrics with those obtained in retina-on-chips which could provide deeper insights in the pathophysiology of retinal diseases.","PeriodicalId":85,"journal":{"name":"Lab on a Chip","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146095750","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating glia of the central nervous system (CNS), essential for rapid signal propagation, metabolic support, and neuronal health. While rodent-based cultures and organoid systems have provided insights into oligodendrocyte biology, they fall short of capturing human-specific features of myelination or integrating structural and functional readouts. Here, we present MyeliMAP (Myelination MAPping), a human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) -derived microphysiological and electrophysiological platform that enables robust modeling of CNS myelination. The system combines inducible hPSC-derived neurons and oligodendrocytes in a custom-engineered microfluidic microstructure designed to mimic the developing brain microenvironment, promoting spatially organized axon-glia interactions and controlled myelin sheath formation. Within six weeks, we demonstrate myelin formation and maturation by immunofluorescence and ultrastructural validation using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), confirming compact multilayered wrapping of human axons. Importantly, the microstructure is directly integrated with a high-density microelectrode array (HD-MEA), enabling real-time, long-term functional assessment of network activity and myelin-dependent changes in signal conduction. This allowed us to demonstrate that oligodendrocyte-based myelinated neurons display enhanced conduction velocity of action potentials compared to neuron monocultures. Moreover, the presence of oligodendrocytes stabilized the temporal neuronal network activity by reducing variability in firing patterns and enhancing synchrony across the culture. This dual structure-function approach surpasses static end-point analyses by coupling morphological validation with dynamic, quantitative measurements of maturing circuit physiology. MyeliMAP provides a reproducible, human-relevant platform to dissect neuron-glia interactions and accelerate discovery of remyelination-promoting strategies for CNS disease.
{"title":"MyeliMAP: A Microfluidic-Multielectrode Array Hybrid Platform to Investigate Oligodendrocyte Function in Human iPSC derived Brain-Like Networks","authors":"Karan Ahuja, Blandine Françoise Clément, Giulia Amos, Joël Küchler, Keimpe Wierda, Yoke C Chai, Lieve Moons, Catherine Verfaillie","doi":"10.1039/d5lc01062d","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5lc01062d","url":null,"abstract":"Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating glia of the central nervous system (CNS), essential for rapid signal propagation, metabolic support, and neuronal health. While rodent-based cultures and organoid systems have provided insights into oligodendrocyte biology, they fall short of capturing human-specific features of myelination or integrating structural and functional readouts. Here, we present MyeliMAP (Myelination MAPping), a human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) -derived microphysiological and electrophysiological platform that enables robust modeling of CNS myelination. The system combines inducible hPSC-derived neurons and oligodendrocytes in a custom-engineered microfluidic microstructure designed to mimic the developing brain microenvironment, promoting spatially organized axon-glia interactions and controlled myelin sheath formation. Within six weeks, we demonstrate myelin formation and maturation by immunofluorescence and ultrastructural validation using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), confirming compact multilayered wrapping of human axons. Importantly, the microstructure is directly integrated with a high-density microelectrode array (HD-MEA), enabling real-time, long-term functional assessment of network activity and myelin-dependent changes in signal conduction. This allowed us to demonstrate that oligodendrocyte-based myelinated neurons display enhanced conduction velocity of action potentials compared to neuron monocultures. Moreover, the presence of oligodendrocytes stabilized the temporal neuronal network activity by reducing variability in firing patterns and enhancing synchrony across the culture. This dual structure-function approach surpasses static end-point analyses by coupling morphological validation with dynamic, quantitative measurements of maturing circuit physiology. MyeliMAP provides a reproducible, human-relevant platform to dissect neuron-glia interactions and accelerate discovery of remyelination-promoting strategies for CNS disease.","PeriodicalId":85,"journal":{"name":"Lab on a Chip","volume":"79 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146089611","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cameron Boggon, Jeremy P Wong, Arpita Sahoo, Annelies Zinkernagel, Markus A Seeger, Eleonora Secchi, Lucio Isa
Bacteria in surface-attached communities often engage in social interactions with neighbouring microbes and spatial structure within these communities is thought to strongly influence community development. However, there is a significant lack of experimental platforms which allow for the tight spatial control of microbial communities at the microscale, severely limiting our ability to investigate the relationship between spatial structure and community development. Here, we demonstrate a workflow for patterning two or more bacterial species on a template with high throughput (∼ 10 5 patterned cells per template) and micron-scale precision. We leverage bio-orthogonal and highly specific binding reactions to construct two-species bacterial communities by depositing nanobodyfunctionalised colloidal particles into tailored arrays of shape-asymmetric cavities via directional sequential capillary assembly. Using Staphyloccocus aureus and Escherichia coli as model systems, we demonstrate how these organisms can be patterned in any desired spatial configuration before culturing under the microscope. This technique paves the way for careful investigations into the role of initial spatial structure on microbial interactions at low cell density, which is crucial to understanding and manipulating microbial community development.
{"title":"Controlling Spatial Structure in Minimal Microbial Communities by Sequential Capillary Assembly","authors":"Cameron Boggon, Jeremy P Wong, Arpita Sahoo, Annelies Zinkernagel, Markus A Seeger, Eleonora Secchi, Lucio Isa","doi":"10.1039/d6lc00040a","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6lc00040a","url":null,"abstract":"Bacteria in surface-attached communities often engage in social interactions with neighbouring microbes and spatial structure within these communities is thought to strongly influence community development. However, there is a significant lack of experimental platforms which allow for the tight spatial control of microbial communities at the microscale, severely limiting our ability to investigate the relationship between spatial structure and community development. Here, we demonstrate a workflow for patterning two or more bacterial species on a template with high throughput (∼ 10 5 patterned cells per template) and micron-scale precision. We leverage bio-orthogonal and highly specific binding reactions to construct two-species bacterial communities by depositing nanobodyfunctionalised colloidal particles into tailored arrays of shape-asymmetric cavities via directional sequential capillary assembly. Using Staphyloccocus aureus and Escherichia coli as model systems, we demonstrate how these organisms can be patterned in any desired spatial configuration before culturing under the microscope. This technique paves the way for careful investigations into the role of initial spatial structure on microbial interactions at low cell density, which is crucial to understanding and manipulating microbial community development.","PeriodicalId":85,"journal":{"name":"Lab on a Chip","volume":"117 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146089615","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jiayi Yan,Jingyan Gao,Xinyi Jin,Jiacheng Cheng,Wentao Su,Chunqing Ai,Fanhua Kong,Shuang Song
The study of human intestinal diseases, particularly those involving oxidative stress-induced barrier dysfunction, has attracted increasing attention. Traditional studies have relied heavily on animal models and static 2D cell cultures, and recently, intestinal organ-on-a-chip models have emerged as a promising alternative for modeling intestinal pathophysiology in a human-relevant context. In this study, a high-throughput intestinal chip model was developed using double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape and commercial polycarbonate materials. The model was employed to culture the Caco-2 barrier under continuous fluid flow and cyclic mechanical strain which are crucial for mature barrier formation and function. Bright-field and dark-field microscopy showed that the cells formed a tight, continuous barrier layer within the system. Sodium fluorescein permeation experiments demonstrated good permeability, while polymerase chain reaction (PCR) experiments and laser confocal microscopy imaging further confirmed a high degree of epithelial polarization. Additionally, an oxidative damage model was constructed using hydrogen peroxide. Immunofluorescence staining and metabolomics analysis verified that the model exhibited characteristics consistent with oxidative damage in intestinal cells, indicating the successful construction of the oxidative damage model.
{"title":"A dynamically cultured intestinal epithelial barrier model with metabolomics assessment for evaluating oxidative injury.","authors":"Jiayi Yan,Jingyan Gao,Xinyi Jin,Jiacheng Cheng,Wentao Su,Chunqing Ai,Fanhua Kong,Shuang Song","doi":"10.1039/d5lc01070e","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5lc01070e","url":null,"abstract":"The study of human intestinal diseases, particularly those involving oxidative stress-induced barrier dysfunction, has attracted increasing attention. Traditional studies have relied heavily on animal models and static 2D cell cultures, and recently, intestinal organ-on-a-chip models have emerged as a promising alternative for modeling intestinal pathophysiology in a human-relevant context. In this study, a high-throughput intestinal chip model was developed using double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape and commercial polycarbonate materials. The model was employed to culture the Caco-2 barrier under continuous fluid flow and cyclic mechanical strain which are crucial for mature barrier formation and function. Bright-field and dark-field microscopy showed that the cells formed a tight, continuous barrier layer within the system. Sodium fluorescein permeation experiments demonstrated good permeability, while polymerase chain reaction (PCR) experiments and laser confocal microscopy imaging further confirmed a high degree of epithelial polarization. Additionally, an oxidative damage model was constructed using hydrogen peroxide. Immunofluorescence staining and metabolomics analysis verified that the model exhibited characteristics consistent with oxidative damage in intestinal cells, indicating the successful construction of the oxidative damage model.","PeriodicalId":85,"journal":{"name":"Lab on a Chip","volume":"41 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146056366","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The SlipChip is a versatile microfluidic platform that enables precise control of fluidic connections through the relative sliding of two microstructured plates, without requiring external pumps or valves. SlipChip facilitates fluid aliquoting, mixing, and partitioning via a simple sliding operation induced microfluidic reconfiguration. Various designs have been developed and applied to nucleic acid assays, protein crystallization, protein analysis, single-cell analysis, and materials synthesis. Compared with conventional microfluidics, SlipChip offers advantages such as simple fluidic manipulation, on-chip reagent preloading, portability, and cost-effective fabrication in diverse materials (glass, PDMS, plastic, paper). This review summarizes the fluidic principles, device fabrication, and applications of SlipChip, highlighting representative architectures, driving mechanisms, and material considerations. We also address current limitations of SlipChip technology, particularly in terms of assembly precision and dependence on manual operation. Looking forward, advances in materials engineering, device automation, and artificial intelligence are anticipated to enhance assembly reliability and support increasingly autonomous workflows. These developments are poised to significantly broaden the role of SlipChip in systems biology, clinical diagnostics, and personalized medicine. Overall, SlipChip represents a simple, robust, and accessible microfluidic platform suitable for diverse research applications as well as clinical diagnostics.
{"title":"SlipChip: From Principle to Applications","authors":"Yang Luo, Weijie Yuan, Sujin Jung, Feng Shen","doi":"10.1039/d5lc01069a","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5lc01069a","url":null,"abstract":"The SlipChip is a versatile microfluidic platform that enables precise control of fluidic connections through the relative sliding of two microstructured plates, without requiring external pumps or valves. SlipChip facilitates fluid aliquoting, mixing, and partitioning via a simple sliding operation induced microfluidic reconfiguration. Various designs have been developed and applied to nucleic acid assays, protein crystallization, protein analysis, single-cell analysis, and materials synthesis. Compared with conventional microfluidics, SlipChip offers advantages such as simple fluidic manipulation, on-chip reagent preloading, portability, and cost-effective fabrication in diverse materials (glass, PDMS, plastic, paper). This review summarizes the fluidic principles, device fabrication, and applications of SlipChip, highlighting representative architectures, driving mechanisms, and material considerations. We also address current limitations of SlipChip technology, particularly in terms of assembly precision and dependence on manual operation. Looking forward, advances in materials engineering, device automation, and artificial intelligence are anticipated to enhance assembly reliability and support increasingly autonomous workflows. These developments are poised to significantly broaden the role of SlipChip in systems biology, clinical diagnostics, and personalized medicine. Overall, SlipChip represents a simple, robust, and accessible microfluidic platform suitable for diverse research applications as well as clinical diagnostics.","PeriodicalId":85,"journal":{"name":"Lab on a Chip","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146057106","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Khurshed Akabirov,Hanna Nguyen,Shakila Peli Thanthri,Sheila M Barros,Maximillian Chibuike,Sunggook Park,Steven A Soper
Nanopore sensing provides an ideal strategy for the label-free detection of single molecules in a variety of application scenarios. Working under the principle of resistive pulse sensing (RPS), nanopores consist of constrictions with sub-100 nm dimensions to enable single-molecule resolution by matching pore size to target dimensions (scaling); the optimal signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) results when the electrically biased pore is comparable in size to the molecule to be analyzed. When single molecules are electrokinetically transported through such remarkably small pores, they temporarily disturb the flux of ions moving through them, generating unique signals. These signals vary based upon the molecules' shape, size, orientation, and other physicochemical properties. Nanopores are generally divided into two main categories owing to their fabrication approach and material: biological and solid state. While biological nanopores have been the dominant sensor format due to their exceptionally small size, solid-state nanopores can demonstrate high performance characteristics attributed to their rigidity, stability, and high versatility in shape, material, and configuration. This review will explore the state-of-the-art in biological and solid-state nanopores and their abilities to detect and identify single biomolecules in a label-free manner. We will also review two topographical configurations of nanopore sensors; in-plane and out-of-plane sensors. The evolution of nanopore sensing will be reviewed, starting with out-of-plane biological sensors and progressing to in-plane sensors fabricated in plastics via replication technologies.
{"title":"The evolution of nanopore measurements: from biological out-of-plane pores to plastic in-plane pores.","authors":"Khurshed Akabirov,Hanna Nguyen,Shakila Peli Thanthri,Sheila M Barros,Maximillian Chibuike,Sunggook Park,Steven A Soper","doi":"10.1039/d5lc00885a","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5lc00885a","url":null,"abstract":"Nanopore sensing provides an ideal strategy for the label-free detection of single molecules in a variety of application scenarios. Working under the principle of resistive pulse sensing (RPS), nanopores consist of constrictions with sub-100 nm dimensions to enable single-molecule resolution by matching pore size to target dimensions (scaling); the optimal signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) results when the electrically biased pore is comparable in size to the molecule to be analyzed. When single molecules are electrokinetically transported through such remarkably small pores, they temporarily disturb the flux of ions moving through them, generating unique signals. These signals vary based upon the molecules' shape, size, orientation, and other physicochemical properties. Nanopores are generally divided into two main categories owing to their fabrication approach and material: biological and solid state. While biological nanopores have been the dominant sensor format due to their exceptionally small size, solid-state nanopores can demonstrate high performance characteristics attributed to their rigidity, stability, and high versatility in shape, material, and configuration. This review will explore the state-of-the-art in biological and solid-state nanopores and their abilities to detect and identify single biomolecules in a label-free manner. We will also review two topographical configurations of nanopore sensors; in-plane and out-of-plane sensors. The evolution of nanopore sensing will be reviewed, starting with out-of-plane biological sensors and progressing to in-plane sensors fabricated in plastics via replication technologies.","PeriodicalId":85,"journal":{"name":"Lab on a Chip","volume":"52 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146056940","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jaehyun Kim, Eunseok Seo, Na Yeon Kim, Bong Geun Chung, Jungchul Lee, Taesung Kim, Seung-Woo Cho, Gun Ho Kim, Sung Soo Kim, Jungyul Park
Low-temperature stimulation is recognized as a promising approach for neuromodulation, with the potential to suppress or slow neural activity. However, its impact on the spatial and electrophysiological properties of axonal conduction remains poorly understood. Conventional methods have lacked the spatial resolution necessary to isolate axon-specific responses to localized cooling. To overcome these limitations, we developed a microfluidic platform that integrates a microelectrode array (MEA) with a rapid and spatially confined cooling module. This platform enables real-time, phase-resolved monitoring of cooling-induced signal propagation between neuronal populations via unidirectionally guided axons, while maintaining structural integrity and enabling targeted thermal modulation. Using the microfluidic-MEA platform, we observed that one-minute cooling induced reversible suppression of both neuronal and axonal activity, followed by complete functional recovery. In contrast, five-minute cooling resulted in full recovery of neural network activity but persistent conduction delays in axons after rewarming, indicating selective vulnerability of axonal pathways and incomplete restoration of conduction dynamics. These outcomes were quantitatively validated through high-resolution electrophysiological recordings. Our findings demonstrate that localized cooling significantly modulates axonal conduction by altering ion channel kinetics and membrane excitability. The proposed platform offers a robust in vitro platform for dissecting cold-induced neuromodulation with axonal resolution, and lays the groundwork for precision-targeted neuromodulatory strategies in neuroengineering, brain-on-a-chip systems, and potential therapeutic applications for neurodegenerative disorders.
{"title":"Microfluidics-Guided Localized Low-Temperature Modulation of Axonal Signal Propagation","authors":"Jaehyun Kim, Eunseok Seo, Na Yeon Kim, Bong Geun Chung, Jungchul Lee, Taesung Kim, Seung-Woo Cho, Gun Ho Kim, Sung Soo Kim, Jungyul Park","doi":"10.1039/d5lc01103e","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5lc01103e","url":null,"abstract":"Low-temperature stimulation is recognized as a promising approach for neuromodulation, with the potential to suppress or slow neural activity. However, its impact on the spatial and electrophysiological properties of axonal conduction remains poorly understood. Conventional methods have lacked the spatial resolution necessary to isolate axon-specific responses to localized cooling. To overcome these limitations, we developed a microfluidic platform that integrates a microelectrode array (MEA) with a rapid and spatially confined cooling module. This platform enables real-time, phase-resolved monitoring of cooling-induced signal propagation between neuronal populations via unidirectionally guided axons, while maintaining structural integrity and enabling targeted thermal modulation. Using the microfluidic-MEA platform, we observed that one-minute cooling induced reversible suppression of both neuronal and axonal activity, followed by complete functional recovery. In contrast, five-minute cooling resulted in full recovery of neural network activity but persistent conduction delays in axons after rewarming, indicating selective vulnerability of axonal pathways and incomplete restoration of conduction dynamics. These outcomes were quantitatively validated through high-resolution electrophysiological recordings. Our findings demonstrate that localized cooling significantly modulates axonal conduction by altering ion channel kinetics and membrane excitability. The proposed platform offers a robust in vitro platform for dissecting cold-induced neuromodulation with axonal resolution, and lays the groundwork for precision-targeted neuromodulatory strategies in neuroengineering, brain-on-a-chip systems, and potential therapeutic applications for neurodegenerative disorders.","PeriodicalId":85,"journal":{"name":"Lab on a Chip","volume":"184 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146095751","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号