High throughput miniaturization of artificial cells

Artif Cells Blood Substit Immobil Biotechnol. 2011 Oct;39(5):310-6. doi: 10.3109/10731199.2011.574637. Epub 2011 May 24.

Abstract

In this study, inkjet bio-printing has been used to produce miniaturized alginate microcapsules. A parametric study using subsequent Taguchi L(18) (3(1) × 2(7)) and L(16) (4(5)) designs was performed to elucidate the effect of inkjet parameters on microcapsule size. A 120-minute pilot run using the optimal waveform parameters and 0.5% alginate ink yielded a throughput of 1.8×10(6) microcapsules/hr, averaging 40 μm in diameter. Real-time stable jetting conditions were confirmed visually by the generation of a single droplet with a straight trajectory and non-fluctuating Ohnesorge numbers. The rate of stirring of the cross-linking CaCl(2) solution determined scaffold vs. single vesicle formation.

MeSH terms

  • Alginates / chemistry*
  • Artificial Cells / chemistry
  • Biotechnology / instrumentation
  • Biotechnology / methods*
  • Calcium Chloride / chemistry
  • Capsules / chemistry
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / chemistry
  • Glucuronic Acid / chemistry
  • Hexuronic Acids / chemistry
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays*
  • Miniaturization
  • Particle Size
  • Software

Substances

  • Alginates
  • Capsules
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Hexuronic Acids
  • Glucuronic Acid
  • Calcium Chloride