Scaling up stem cell production: harnessing the potential of microfluidic devices.

Stem cells are specialised cells characterised by their unique ability to both self-renew and transform into a wide array of specialised cell types. The widespread interest in stem cells for regenerative medicine and cultivated meat has led to a significant demand for these cells in both research and practical applications. Despite the growing need for stem cell manufacturing, the industry faces significant obstacles, including high costs for equipment and maintenance, complicated operation, and low product quality and yield.

Advances in novel strategies for isolation, characterization, and analysis of CTCs and ctDNA.

Over the past decade, the detection and analysis of liquid biopsy biomarkers such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) have advanced significantly. They have received recognition for their clinical usefulness in detecting cancer at an early stage, monitoring disease, and evaluating treatment response. The emergence of liquid biopsy has been a helpful development, as it offers a minimally invasive, rapid, real-time monitoring, and possible alternative to traditional tissue biopsies.

Advances in TEER measurements of biological barriers in microphysiological systems.

Biological barriers are multicellular structures that precisely regulate the transport of ions, biomolecules, drugs, cells, and other organisms. Transendothelial/epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) is a label-free method for predicting the properties of biological barriers. Understanding the mechanisms that control TEER significantly enhances our knowledge of the physiopathology of different diseases and aids in the development of new drugs.

Advanced models for respiratory disease and drug studies.

The global burden of respiratory diseases is enormous, with many millions of people suffering and dying prematurely every year. The global COVID-19 pandemic witnessed recently, along with increased air pollution and wildfire events, increases the urgency of identifying the most effective therapeutic measures to combat these diseases even further. Despite increasing expenditure and extensive collaborative efforts to identify and develop the most effective and safe treatments, the failure rates of drugs evaluated in human clinical trials are high.

Rapid separation of bacteria from primary nasal samples using inertial microfluidics.

Microbial populations play a crucial role in human health and the development of many diseases. These diseases often arise from the explosive proliferation of opportunistic bacteria, such as those in the nasal cavity. Recently, there have been increases in the prevalence of these opportunistic pathogens displaying antibiotic resistance.

Nutraceuticals and COVID-19: A mechanistic approach toward attenuating the disease complications.

Nutraceuticals have emerged as potential compounds to attenuate the COVID-19 complications. Precisely, these food additives strengthen the overall COVID treatment and enhance the immunity of a person. Such compounds have been used at a large scale, in almost every household due to their better affordability and easy access.

Rapid and Continuous Cryopreservation of Stem Cells with a 3D Micromixer.

Cryopreservation is the final step of stem cell production before the cryostorage of the product. Conventional methods of adding cryoprotecting agents (CPA) into the cells can be manual or automated with robotic arms. However, challenging issues with these methods at industrial-scale production are the insufficient mixing of cells and CPA, leading to damage of cells, discontinuous feeding, the batch-to-batch difference in products, and, occasionally, cross-contamination.

Zigzag microchannel for rigid inertial separation and enrichment (Z-RISE) of cells and particles.

Separation and enrichment of target cells prior to downstream analyses is an essential pre-treatment step in many biomedical and clinical assays. Separation techniques utilizing simple, cost-effective, and user-friendly devices are highly desirable, both in the lab and at the point of need. Passive microfluidic approaches, especially inertial microfluidics, fit this brief perfectly and are highly desired.

Recent advances in lung-on-a-chip models.

With the global burden of respiratory diseases, rapid identification of the best therapeutic measures to combat these diseases is essential. Animal models and 2D cell culture models do not replicate the findings observed in vivo. To gain deeper insight into lung pathology and physiology, 3D and advanced lung-on-a-chip models have been developed recently.

"Nanodecoys" - Future of drug delivery by encapsulating nanoparticles in natural cell membranes.

Biomimetic nanotechnology could serve as an advancement in the domain of drug delivery and diagnosis with the application of natural cell membrane or synthetically-derived membrane nanoparticles (NPs). These biomimetic NPs endow significant therapeutic and diagnostic efficacy by their unique properties, such as immune invasion and better targeting ability. Additionally, these NPs have a unique ability to retain the inherent properties of cell membrane and membrane's intrinsic functionalities, which helps them to exhibit superior therapeutic effects.

Overcoming Multidrug Resistance of Antibiotics via Nanodelivery Systems.

Antibiotic resistance has become a threat to microbial therapies nowadays. The conventional approaches possess several limitations to combat microbial infections. Therefore, to overcome such complications, novel drug delivery systems have gained pharmaceutical scientists' interest.

Developing Novel Fabrication and Optimisation Strategies on Aggregation-Induced Emission Nanoprobe/Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogels for Bio-Applications.

The current study describes a new technology, effective for readily preparing a fluorescent (FL) nanoprobe-based on hyperbranched polymer (HB) and aggregation-induced emission (AIE) fluorogen with high brightness to ultimately develop FL hydrogels. We prepared the AIE nanoprobe using a microfluidic platform to mix hyperbranched polymers (HB, generations 2, 3, and 4) with AIE (TPE-2BA) under shear stress and different rotation speeds (0-5 K RPM) and explored the FL properties of the AIE nanoprobe. Our results reveal that the use of HB generation 4 exhibits 30-times higher FL intensity compared to the AIE alone and is significantly brighter and more stable compared to those that are prepared using HB generations 3 and 2.

Recent Advances in Chronotherapy Targeting Respiratory Diseases.

Respiratory diseases contribute to a significant percentage of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The circadian rhythm is a natural biological process where our bodily functions align with the 24 h oscillation (sleep-wake cycle) process and are controlled by the circadian clock protein/gene. Disruption of the circadian rhythm could alter normal lung function.

A 3D-printed microfluidic platform for simulating the effects of CPAP on the nasal epithelium.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic disorder that involves a decrease or complete cessation of airflow during sleep. It occurs when the muscles supporting the soft tissues in the throat relax during sleep, causing narrowing or closure of the upper airway. Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications and impaired quality of life.

Metal-Organic Framework-Enhanced ELISA Platform for Ultrasensitive Detection of PD-L1.

The programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) protein has emerged as a predictive cancer biomarker and sensitivity to immune checkpoint blockade-based cancer immunotherapies. Current technologies for the detection of protein-based biomarkers, including the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), have limitations such as low sensitivity and limit of detection (LOD) in addition to degradation of antibodies in exposure to environmental changes such as temperature and pH. To address these issues, we have proposed a metal-organic framework (MOF)-based ELISA for the detection of the PD-L1.

Lung-on-a-chip: the future of respiratory disease models and pharmacological studies.

Recently, organ-on-a-chip models, which are microfluidic devices that mimic the cellular architecture and physiological environment of an organ, have been developed and extensively investigated. The chips can be tailored to accommodate the disease conditions pertaining to many organs; and in the case of this review, the lung. Lung-on-a-chip models result in a more accurate reflection compared to conventional models.

Southeast Asian Pharmacogenomics Research Network (SEAPharm): Current Status and Perspectives.

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is increasingly being recognized as a potential tool for improving the efficacy and safety of drug therapy. Therefore, several efforts have been undertaken globally to facilitate the implementation process of PGx into routine clinical practice. Part of these efforts include the formation of PGx working groups working on PGx research, synthesis, and dissemination of PGx data and creation of PGx implementation strategies.